Page 26 - September 21 2021 Curtis collections snuff bottles Bonhams NYC

617
TWO INSIDE-PAINTED CLEAR GLASS SNUFF BOTTLES
Ma Shaoxuan, 1911, 1903
Each of rounded rectangular shape, and each painted on one main
face with a landscape scene inscribed as after Wang Hui, one, the
wider bottle with a winter scene with figures and buildings, the other
with a mountainous lakeside view, the first with a thirty-two character
inscription on the other main face preceded by the cyclical date xinhai
year corresponding to 1911 and followed by the signature and seal
Shaoxuan, the second with differing thirty-two character inscription
preceded by the cyclical date guimao corresponding to 1903.
2 3/8in (6.1cm) high, each, one of wider size, one with stopper

$2,500 - 4,500
1903年 馬少宣 玻璃內畫山水詩文鼻煙壺
1911年 馬少宣 玻璃內畫雪景詩文鼻煙壺

For other bottles with similar mountain lakeside views to the bottle
dated 1903, see Humphrey K.F. Hui and Christopher C.H. Sin, An
Imperial Qing Tradition, An Exhibition of Chinese Snuff Bottles from
the Collections of Humphrey K.F. Hui and Christopher C.H. Sin, Hong
Kong, 1994, p. 191, no. 226; and Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka
Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles, The Mary and George
Bloch Collection, Vol. 4, Part 2, Inside Painted, pp. 378-380, no. 580;
and Humphrey K.F. Hui, Lai Suk Yee and Peter Y.K. Lam, Inkplay in
Microcosm, Inside-painted Chinese Snuff Bottles, The Humphrey K.F.
Hui Collection, Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong,
2002, no’s. 33 and 34.

The winter scene depicted on the second bottle dated to 1911,
appears to be exceedingly rare, if not unique, in Ma’s oeuvre.

24 | BONHAMS