In New York’s 2017 spring sales, Christie’s has lots by Ma Shaoxuan at its snuff bottle sale, while Bonhams one has lots by Ding Erzhong, who was also one of the most technically accomplished artists of the Beijing School of snuff-bottle painting in the Qing Dynasty.

The lot with highest estimate is an inside painted glass snuff bottle, made by Ding Erzhong in 1897, as a tribute to Yuan dynasty masters. There are two lots which both listed with the 2nd highest estimate, the first one is a cameo agate snuff bottle of Suzhou School, carved in high relief with a continuous landscape showing two figures and a bird on a branch. The second one is also a agate snuff bottle of Suzhou School, carved in high relief with plum and rock reversed by an inscription carved in running script.

These 3 snuff bottles are from the collection of American collector, Philip Brachman (1927-2016). He was a public health expert, once works as a director in CDC, whilst being a long-time member of the International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society.

Sale Details

Auction House: Bonhams New York
Sale: Fine Chinese Snuff Bottles
Sale No.: 24316
No. of Lot: 144
Viewing: 2017/3/9-12  10am-5pm
Sale Time: 2017/3/13  10am

Top Lots

A FINE AND RARE INSIDE PAINTED GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE, Ding Erzhong, 1897

Lot No.: 1103
Estimate: US$25,000 - 40,000

A FINE CAMEO AGATE SNUFF BOTTLE Suzhou School, 1780-1850

Lot No.: 1060
Estimate: US$15,000 - 20,000

A RARE SUZHOU AGATE SNUFF BOTTLE, 1780-1850

Lot No.: 1093
Estimate: US$15,000 - 20,000