A SUPERB CARVED AGATE BOTTLE

SCHOOL OF ZHITING, SUZHOU, 1740-1820

Details

A SUPERB CARVED AGATE BOTTLE
School of Zhiting, Suzhou, 1740-1820
Of flattened ovoid form, the semi-transparent grayish-white stone superbly carved incorporating the sparse dark-brown markings with a continuous scene of a writhing dragon emerging from swirling clouds above a rocky landscape on one side, the reverse with a boy holding a spray of lingzhi and a qilin with a book issuing from its mouth, well hollowed, stopper
2in. (5.1cm.) high

Provenance

Hugh M. Moss Ltd., London.
Count Kurt Blücher von Wahlstatt Collection.
Alice B. McReynolds Collection.

Literature

H. Moss, Snuff Bottles of China, London, 1971, p. 69, no. 14.
H. Moss, An Exhibition of Chinese Snuff Bottles, June 1970, p. 31, fig. 103.

Lot Essay

This spectacular and well-known Suzhou agate bottle is unusual in its use of the material. The artist has used every color variation with crisp precision, but by carving so heavily in the ground color, the bottle has an unusual texture for a Zhiting School work.

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