Lot Essay
For an agate bottle of very similar type see Robert W. L. Kleiner, Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, pp. 118-119, fig. 167. In both cases not only are the pine needles cleverly cut from the green inclusions, but the eyes of the cranes are also highlighted by natural inclusions in the stone. See also Hugh Moss, Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of the Rt. Hon. The Marquess of Exeter, K.C.M.G., pp. 132-133, fig. Q.60, also illustrated by Bob C. Stevens, The Collector's Book of Snuff Bottles, fig. 585. For another see Sotheby's London, Important Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Eric Young, Part II, October 13, 1987, lot 89