Lot 083 A MAGNIFICENT LARGE GREEN GLASS ‘MEIPING’ SNUFF BOTTLE REPUBLIC PERIOD

Description

A MAGNIFICENT LARGE GREEN GLASS ‘MEIPING’ SNUFF BOTTLE
REPUBLIC PERIOD
民国 绿料仿碧玉梅瓶式大号鼻烟壶
MEASUREMENTS
H. 10.7 cm, 4.2 in.
ESTIMATE
USD 300 — 500
(HKD 2,300 — 3,900)
The snuff bottle is elegantly fashioned in the classic meiping (plum vase) silhouette, featuring a narrow mouth, a short waisted neck, and broad, “plump” shoulders that taper gracefully toward a recessed base. This substantial vessel is crafted from a rich, translucent green glass, expertly formulated to mimic the deep, saturated tones of spinach jade (biyu). The glass possesses an extraordinary clarity and a brilliant, vitreous luster that accentuates its unadorned, minimalist form. The surface is polished to a flawless, mirror-like finish, allowing the light to play across its curvaceous profile and highlighting the purity of the material.
此瓶形制规整，呈经典梅瓶样式：小口微撇、短颈、丰肩、弧腹下敛，比例极为协调匀称。器身通体净素，不饰雕琢，尽显线条之美。材质为上等绿料，其色泽深沉苍翠，旨在模拟天然碧玉（Spinach Jade）的视觉效果，故又称“料仿玉”。釉面具有料器特有的玻璃光泽，质地莹润透亮，色气均匀。其10.7厘米的高度在鼻烟壶门类中属于体量硕大的“大号瓶”，既可作为烟壶把玩，亦是绝佳的案头小摆件。
The meiping form, originally designed as a wine vessel in the Song dynasty, was miniaturized during the Qing dynasty to serve as one of the most sophisticated shapes for snuff containers. Glass-making technology reached new heights in the late Qing and Republic periods, with artisans achieving remarkable success in imitating precious hardstones. This “imitation jade” glass was highly favored by both the court and the literati for its durability and its ability to capture the spiritual essence of jade at a more accessible level. The absence of decoration on this bottle is an intentional aesthetic choice, reflecting the “simple elegance” (suya) prized in Chinese literati culture. This piece stands as a testament to the refined glass-making traditions of the early 20th century, combining a monumental form with a jewel-like materiality.
梅瓶器形自宋以来便是陶瓷艺术的巅峰之作，至清代被浓缩于方寸之间，成为鼻烟壶中最受推崇的文雅形制之一。此器所采用的“仿玉料”工艺，反映了民国时期料器制作的高超水平，通过对化学组分的精准掌控，完美重现了碧玉的温润与深邃。古语云“大巧若拙”，此瓶不加雕饰，旨在通过纯净的单色与完美的流线，体现文人画中的“雅素”之风。10.7厘米的体量使其在同类器物中卓尔不群，包浆亮丽，是研究近现代料器工艺与文人审美演变的典型实物。
CONDITION REPORT
• Condition: In overall excellent condition. The green glass is free of any chips, cracks, or internal bruising. The surface polish remains exceptionally vibrant with only minor age-appropriate shelf wear to the base.
• 状况： 整体品相极佳。绿料胎骨坚实，经检测无任何崩口、裂纹或内部伤痕。表面玻璃光泽亮丽，仅底足见时代特征之极轻微磨损，保存状况非常理想。