88 - A FACETED SAPHIRE-BLUE GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE IMPERIAL, BEIJING PALACE WORKSHOPS, 1700-1800

A FACETED SAPHIRE-BLUE GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE IMPERIAL, BEIJING PALACE WORKSHOPS, 1700-1800 To Be Sold Without Reserve Of octagonal section with a cylindrical neck, each side with raised hexagonal panels surrounded by six facets Height: 6.2cm Provenance: Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd, 5th September 1994, (a copy of the original invoice available) This is one of a group of faceted glass snuff bottles associated with the Court at Beijing and a staple form for the Palace glassworks. The shape is derived from European watches imported at Court through the Jesuit missionaries from the Kangxi period onwards (see discussion under no. 332, Moss, Graham, Tsang, The Art of the Chinese Snuff Bottle.) Sapphire blue was one of the earliest colours to be used at the Beijing glassworks, and it is possible that this example is quite early, although a later date during the Qianlong reign, cannot be ruled out Ω This Lot was imported from outside of the UK, under the Temporary Admission regime 5% import VAT will be charged on the ‘hammer” and 20% VAT will be charged on the ‘buyer’s premium