An inside-painted amber snuff bottle. Signed Ye Zhongsan, cyclically dated bingshen year corresponding to 1896. Estimate HK$ 60,000 - 80,000 (€6,900 - 9,200). Photo: Bonhams.

Of flattened rectangular form, carefully painted on one side with a boy riding a water buffalo crossing a shallow stream, the reverse with plants in vases by rockwork beside a series of dated kaishu inscriptions followed by the signature of the artist, with stopper.6.3cm (2 1/2in) high (2).

Provenance: According to the family, acquired by Hans Goldstein probably between 1948-1981 and thence by descent

Notes: Ye Zhongsan (active circa 1892-1943), was born in Beijing in 1869. As demonstrated in the present lot, he was influenced by the Zhou Leyuan Beijing school of painting. In accordance to Zhou's school of painting, the rock formation is the centre-piece, revered for being immutable and lasting - a symbol of longevity. Similarly, the imagery of a boy riding water buffalo is also derived from Zhou.

Compare two related inside-painted amber snuff bottles by Ye Zhongsan, decorated with rockwork and auspicious objects in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, one dated by inscription to the 18th year of Guangxu, corresponding to 1892, illustrated in Lifting the Spirit and Body: The Art and Culture of Snuff Bottles, Shanghai, 2012, pp.264-265, no.IV-057.

BONHAMS. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 4 Jun 2015 10:30 HKT - HONG KONG, ADMIRALTY