China – Qing Dynasty Translucent agate / chalcedony...

Elegant Chinese agate translucent snuff bottle, datable from the late 18th to the first half of the 19th century, during the Qing dynasty. The bottle presents a flattened form, particularly architectural, close to a shield, with angular shoulders converging toward a short, slightly flared neck. The stone, in a milky white to pale gray tone, has a beautiful translucency and discreet natural variations that animate the surface. The two faces are framed by a fine, sober geometric incised decoration, which emphasizes the bottle’s construction without breaking the natural elegance of the agate. This type of treatment, based more on the quality of the stone, the purity of the lines, and the care given to polishing than on figurative decoration, perfectly matches the taste of hardstone snuff bottles of the Qing period. The stopper, made of orange carnelian and mounted on metal, creates a particularly harmonious contrast with the pale hue of the body. The bottle is preserved in good overall condition, with slight signs of wear and a few small irregularities compatible with its age. The stem/spoon of the stopper is missing. A very balanced and refined piece, of interest both for the quality of its agate and for its unusual form and its discreet geometric decoration. Dimensions: 6 × 3.8 × 1.7 cm Weight: 39.3 g China, Qing dynasty, circa 1780-1850.

Estimate:£834.29

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