POSSIBLY IMPERIAL, POSSIBLY PALACE WORKSHOPS, 1720-1830

Details

**A VERY FINE AND RARE AGATE SNUFF BOTTLE
POSSIBLY IMPERIAL, POSSIBLY PALACE WORKSHOPS, 1720-1830
The very well-hollowed bottle of compressed pear form with a flared, lipped neck and protruding, concave oval foot, the stone of light beige-brown color with cloud-like markings, aquamarine stopper
2 5/16 in. (6 cm.) high

Provenance

George Tcheng
Christie's, Hong Kong, 1 November 1994, lot 141
Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Lot Essay

The flawless material, superb hollowing and finish, and distinctive lipped rim, are all characteristics of Palace workshop production and allow for a possible Imperial attribution. Regardless of where it was made, however, it is an impeccably made, formal masterpiece unquestionably ranking amongst the greatest plain chalcedony bottles. This type of agate was apparently known as "Western agate" (see Moss, Graham, Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles, Vol. 2, Quartz, no. 258). The pattern of natural mottling here, accentuated by the extreme thinness of the walls, is suggestive of a continuous scene of mountain peaks rising above billowing clouds, evocative, perhaps, of the famous view from the peaks of Huangshan, in Anhui province.

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