125 - A COPPER-RED AND UNDERGLAZE-BLUE ‘EIGHT IMMORTALS’ SNUFF BOTTLE JINGDEZHEN, 1820-1880

A COPPER-RED AND UNDERGLAZE-BLUE ‘EIGHT IMMORTALS’ SNUFF BOTTLE JINGDEZHEN, 1820-1880 To Be Sold Without Reserve Of elongated ovoid form with a slightly flared cylindrical neck and recessed circular foot, painted with the Eight Daoist Immortals crossing the sea, represented by formalized waves, amidst clouds, each standing on something different including leaves, clouds and what may be intended as roots, the neck with three bats in underglaze-red, with blue bands bordering the neck design and around the base, the foot covered in clear glaze Height: 7.6cm Provenance: Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd, 26th September 1996, (a copy of the original invoice available) The legend of the Eight Daoist Immortals, the grouping of sages who at various times over the centuries transcended the stage of time and achieved infinitely expanded consciousness thus entering Daoist legend, crossing the sea is variously depicted. Here each is shown on a different and distinctly other-worldly vehicle, since a leaf would not normally be considered a suitable ocean-going craft by the average mortal. The control of the two underglaze colours is well maintained here, which is unusual as they are difficult to control in combination and the red is, under any circumstances, a tricky colour to manage 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