An enamelled glass snuff bottle, Imperial Glassworks, Beijing 1767-1800, the bottle earlier. Photo Bonhams.

Of rounded rectangular form, with a flat lip, the foot heavily polished, the colorless glass with painted famille rose palette enamels of bamboo and prunus blossoms one side, reversed by a branch of prunus blossom. 1 7/8in (4.7cm) high. Estimate US$ 8,000 - 10,000 (€5,800 - 7,200)

It is likely that this bottle belongs to a group of delicately painted colorless glass bottles produced by the Guyue Xuan (Ancient Moon Pavilion) in the late 18th century. Although the hallmark is absent, the foot has been heavily polished. However, the palette and style strongly link the bottle to the imperial craftsmen at Guyue Xuan.

See Moss, Graham and Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles. The Mary and George Bloch Collection, Hong Kong, 2008, vol.6, pp.182-184 for the identification of this group.

Another clear glass bottle of similar form and similarly enameled with prunus branches and also bamboo, and enameled with a Guyue Xuan mark, from the Meriem Collection was sold at Christie's New York, 19 March 2008, lot 304. Further related examples bearing Guyue Xuan marks include Hall, Chinese Snuff Bottles, Masterpieces From the Rietberg Museum Zurich, Zurich, 1993, no.21, a slender oval example, formerly in the Monimar Collection, illustrated by Lawrence, Miniature Masterpieces from the Middle Kingdom. The Monimar Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles, London, 1996, pp.14-15, no.1; one of bulbous spade shape formerly in the Rachelle R. Holden Collection, sold at Christie's New York, 21 March 2000, lot.89; one of similar form in the collection of Humphrey Hui, illustrated by H.Hui, The Imperial Connection. Court Related Chinese Snuff Bottles, Hong Kong, 1998, Catalog no.49.

Bonhams.CHINESE ART FROM THE SCHOLAR'S STUDIO. 17 Mar 2014, New York - www.bonhams.com