Asian Art Auction

November 28, 2016

LOT 198

Lot 198

A Group of Five Snuff Bottles, 19th to 20th Century

A Group of Five Snuff Bottles, 19th to 20th Century
Lot 198 Details
A Group of Five Snuff Bottles, 19th to 20th Century

清十九及二十世紀 鼻煙壺五件

Including a rare and unusual miniature porcelain bottle of a bean, finely moulded to depict three beans in a pod. A second bottle of yellow-green hardstone carved in the form of a frog, in a recumbent position with prominent hind legs and its feet tucked beneath its body, with the hardstone stopper in its mouth. A third bottle of café au lait Peking glass, the body with four raised oblong windows, with a coral stopper. The fourth bottle of transparent Peking glass, marked with deep brown organic patches, with handles moulded to each side. The fifth bottle of circular form, with iridescent copper splashes to each side of the black Peking glass body
tallest height 3.1" — 8 cm.

Estimate $300-$500

Realised: $504
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Provenance:

The Snuff Bottle Collection of Dr. Leslie and Dr. Janet Kilborn (lot 164-204)

The eldest child of accomplished Drs. Omar and Retta Kilborn, Leslie Gifford Kilborn was born in 1895 in Kiating, West China. He enrolled at Victoria College in 1913, studying Physiology and Microbiology, and graduated in 1917 with First Class Honours and Victoria’s Silver Medal in the Sciences. He pursued further studies at the University of Toronto, earning an M.A. in Physiology in 1918, an M.D. in 1921, and a Ph.D. in 1928.

In 1921 Leslie married Dr. Janet McClure, the daughter of pioneer missionaries of the Canadian Presbyterian Mission in North China. After marrying, they sailed to West China in the fall of 1921, spending their first eighteen months studying Chinese in Pengshien. In 1923, they began their careers with West China Union University. Leslie was a professor of Physiology and Biochemistry, and Janet taught Pediatric Medicine and medical English, while also overseeing the WCUU eye hospital. Leslie and Janet had four children – Robert, Mary, Frances and Jean – all of whom were born in China. Janet died in 1945, and two years later Leslie married Jean E. Miller, a W.M.S. doctor with a specialization in anaesthesia.

During his career at West China Union University, Leslie held several administrative roles. He served as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine form 1936-1947, and Director of the College of Medicine and Dentistry from 1939-1950. Throughout these years he was also active in medical research, publishing scientific articles and monographs, and also serving on the editorial boards of medical journals.

Leslie and Jean lived under the Communist government from December 1949 until March 1952. During the Sino-Japanese war, staff and students from several universities were forced to flee. Many sought refuge at the campus of West China Union University, and the Kilborns were integral in facilitating their accommodation. In 1952 Leslie and Jean left for Hong Kong, where they took up academic appointments at the University of Hong Kong.

In April 1965, Victoria College conferred a Doctorate of Sacred Letters (D. Lit S.) on Leslie. He died on June 23, 1967.

The Kilborns’ legacy is one of pioneering medical excellence and a passionate commitment to education. This collection of snuff bottles, amassed during their time in China, is a physical remembrance of their profound devotion to a country and people they dedicated their service to.

Note:

A very similar bean-form snuff bottle is in the permanent collection of the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto (see image)

A snuff bottle carved in the same style as the frog, but depicting a buffalo was sold at Christie’s New York, September 14, 2016, lot 581, as part of The Ruth and Carl Barron Collection of Fine Chinese Snuff Bottles: Part III

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 198
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About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.