chine Sculpted translucent violet glass, imitation amethyst Rare snuffbox in violet glass, carved, “amethyst imitation,” with a landscape with inscriptions - 6.6 cm

11
days
23
hours
46
minutes
39
seconds
Current bid
€ 25
Reserve price not met
Peter Reynaers
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers

Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.

Estimate  € 1,400 - € 1,600
DK
€25
IT
€1

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Rare translucent violet glass snuff bottle sculpted in relief with a literate landscape, dating to the Qing dynasty (18th century – early 19th century), measuring 6.6 × 3.5 × 2 cm and weighing 45.6 g, authentic original object acquired in 2024 from a French auction house, with provenance from a private collection and previously owned by a French seller.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Beautiful and rare Chinese glass translucent violet carved snuff bottle, made during the Qing dynasty, in the 18th century or early 19th century.

The glass, a deep purple hue reminiscent of amethyst, has been entirely carved in relief to create a continuous, highly decorative landscape. One can discern pavilions nestled among rocks, gnarled trees, dense vegetation, stylized clouds, and a literati figure with his staff. The sculpture extends over the entire body and makes full use of the transparency and varying depths of the glass.

The bottle has an flattened oval shape, a small oval foot, and a short neck with a wide opening—features typical of Qing-period antique snuff bottles. The material shows small bubbles and internal irregularities characteristic of early glassmaking.

The domed red glass stopper is accompanied by its cork and spoon.

The piece is in very good overall condition, with only light signs of use and some minor manufacturing irregularities.

Dimensions: 6.6 × 3.5 × 2 cm
Weight: 45.6 g

Provenance: French trade, then the European art market. Acquired in 2024 from a house specializing in Asian art.

video link:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/vy1pla4bi9gtsixsejjyk/ALo6AZnCnqUVkgeDdlxZm44?rlkey=9pxxvsdil0py907fk351niyhr&dl=0

Seller's Story

MIMOSA SA — EXPERTISE, RESEARCH AND TRANSMISSION For more than 26 years, I have been working as an art dealer specializing in ancient Asian arts. My work is not simply to offer objects: it is to observe them, to understand them, to study them and to document them before passing them to a new collector. Each work presented by Mimosa SA undergoes thorough examination. Depending on its nature, this study may concern the iconography, the style, the proportions, the material, the execution techniques, surface traces, patina, the condition, restorations, provenance as well as relevant bibliographic, museum or archaeological comparisons. When justified, additional scientific analyses may also be undertaken. Our approach rests on the experience of sight, gained from direct contact with the works for over two decades, but also on methodical and constantly renewed research. We always favor a cautious, coherent and argued attribution rather than a seductive but insufficiently substantiated assertion. Transparency is at the heart of our approach. The wear, gaps, accidents, ancient restorations or more recent interventions are reported as precisely as possible. When an attribution carries uncertainty or remains a working hypothesis, it is clearly presented as such. Present on Catawiki since 2016, we have chosen to maintain a regular selection of works there in order to meet international collectors who value authenticity, knowledge and quality of documentation. Each acquisition is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued under our professional responsibility. For the most important works, this certificate takes the form of a genuine study dossier gathering the main technical, stylistic, iconographic, historical and bibliographic observations made during our research. The same standard applies to shipping. Over the years, we have developed a packaging method adapted to old, fragile, heavy or complex-shaped objects. Each work is protected, immobilized and carefully packaged, according to its material and its particularities. The shipping costs correspond to the real needs for protection, handling, insurance and secure transport. Shipping is never regarded as a source of commercial profit. Acquiring a work from Mimosa SA is to receive a selected, studied, described, documented and prepared object with the same care that we would wish for a work destined for our own collection.
Translated by Google Translate

Beautiful and rare Chinese glass translucent violet carved snuff bottle, made during the Qing dynasty, in the 18th century or early 19th century.

The glass, a deep purple hue reminiscent of amethyst, has been entirely carved in relief to create a continuous, highly decorative landscape. One can discern pavilions nestled among rocks, gnarled trees, dense vegetation, stylized clouds, and a literati figure with his staff. The sculpture extends over the entire body and makes full use of the transparency and varying depths of the glass.

The bottle has an flattened oval shape, a small oval foot, and a short neck with a wide opening—features typical of Qing-period antique snuff bottles. The material shows small bubbles and internal irregularities characteristic of early glassmaking.

The domed red glass stopper is accompanied by its cork and spoon.

The piece is in very good overall condition, with only light signs of use and some minor manufacturing irregularities.

Dimensions: 6.6 × 3.5 × 2 cm
Weight: 45.6 g

Provenance: French trade, then the European art market. Acquired in 2024 from a house specializing in Asian art.

video link:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/vy1pla4bi9gtsixsejjyk/ALo6AZnCnqUVkgeDdlxZm44?rlkey=9pxxvsdil0py907fk351niyhr&dl=0

Seller's Story

MIMOSA SA — EXPERTISE, RESEARCH AND TRANSMISSION For more than 26 years, I have been working as an art dealer specializing in ancient Asian arts. My work is not simply to offer objects: it is to observe them, to understand them, to study them and to document them before passing them to a new collector. Each work presented by Mimosa SA undergoes thorough examination. Depending on its nature, this study may concern the iconography, the style, the proportions, the material, the execution techniques, surface traces, patina, the condition, restorations, provenance as well as relevant bibliographic, museum or archaeological comparisons. When justified, additional scientific analyses may also be undertaken. Our approach rests on the experience of sight, gained from direct contact with the works for over two decades, but also on methodical and constantly renewed research. We always favor a cautious, coherent and argued attribution rather than a seductive but insufficiently substantiated assertion. Transparency is at the heart of our approach. The wear, gaps, accidents, ancient restorations or more recent interventions are reported as precisely as possible. When an attribution carries uncertainty or remains a working hypothesis, it is clearly presented as such. Present on Catawiki since 2016, we have chosen to maintain a regular selection of works there in order to meet international collectors who value authenticity, knowledge and quality of documentation. Each acquisition is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued under our professional responsibility. For the most important works, this certificate takes the form of a genuine study dossier gathering the main technical, stylistic, iconographic, historical and bibliographic observations made during our research. The same standard applies to shipping. Over the years, we have developed a packaging method adapted to old, fragile, heavy or complex-shaped objects. Each work is protected, immobilized and carefully packaged, according to its material and its particularities. The shipping costs correspond to the real needs for protection, handling, insurance and secure transport. Shipping is never regarded as a source of commercial profit. Acquiring a work from Mimosa SA is to receive a selected, studied, described, documented and prepared object with the same care that we would wish for a work destined for our own collection.
Translated by Google Translate

Details

Culture
chine
Century/timeframe
XVIIIe – début XIXe siècle | Dynastie Qing
Name of object
Rare snuffbox in violet glass, carved, “amethyst imitation,” with a landscape with inscriptions
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2024
Material
Sculpted translucent violet glass, imitation amethyst
Country acquired from
Austria
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
6.6 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
2000
Width
3.5 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
Depth
2 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
BelgiumVerified
505
Objects sold
pro

Disclaimer

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

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