China. The flattened ovoid body supported on an oval foot and surmounted by a broad cylindrical neck, finely painted with a continuous riverscape scene. The sun rises over the mountain tops, above two small huts nestled between towering trees, a rooster perched on a mound above one of the huts, with workmen going about their day by a meandering river. A small bridge arches over the river where three men carrying goods move to cross towards the huts.

Inscriptions: To one side, signed 'Gui Xianggu' and dated 'During the year of Yiwei (corresponding to 1895), in Beijing'.

Provenance: From the collection of Frank William Pierce (d. 1978), Surrey, United Kingdom, and thence by descent in the same family. Sotheby's London, 13 May 2015, lot 174, estimate of GBP 2,000 or approx. EUR 3,400 (converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). A private collection in the United Kingdom, acquired from the above. The present lot is listed in an estate valuation done by Christie's in 1978, describing it as “an inside painted rounded rectangular bottle depicting a continuous riverscape at night, inscribed Kuei*-ku - dated 1895”. A copy of this listing accompanies this lot.
Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear and manufacturing irregularities, a tiny fissure to the rim.

Stopper: Rose quartz and silver
Weight: 51.9 g
Dimensions: Height including stopper 71 mm. Diameter neck 19 mm and mouth 5.5 mm

Gui Xianggu was one of the many artists who rose to prominence in the wake of Zhou Leyuan and, like so many of them, he seems to have begun by copying Zhou's works. Gui used his own signature first in 1893 and must have known of Ye Zhongsan and Zhou Leyuan early in his career. Gui never made any attempt to hide his own evolving style, which became very distinctive, or his own palette which was unique among the inside-painted artists. He was one of the most intriguing commercial artists from the period, capable of excellent craftsmanship. Gui worked under his own signature for only eight years, between 1893 to 1901, and there are only 60 signed works by him.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 25 May 2011, lot 60
Price: HKD 144,000 or approx. EUR 23,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An inside-painted glass 'landscape' snuff bottle, Gui Xianggu, dated 1900
Expert remark: Compare the related form, motif, and manner of painting. Note the size (6.8 cm).