China, 1662-1722. The flared sides supported on a short straight foot, and finely carved with a bow string around the center of the exterior walls. The almost transparent stone is brilliantly polished and shows attractive variegated tones of crimson, caramel, and honey somewhat reminiscent of realgar.

Provenance: French trade. Acquired from a private estate.
Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear. The stone with a few miniscule natural fissures.

Weight: 37 g
Dimensions: Length 8.6 cm

The agate used for the present bowl is exceptional for both its beautiful coloration and its highly translucent quality. Agate, with rippling layers of color ranging from bright honey to coffee brown, is one of only a few hardstones in ancient China that were valued as much as jade and introduced no later than the Han dynasty.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 3 October 2018, lot 3605
Price: HKD 1,250,000 or approx. EUR 165,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A superbly carved and rare lobed agate bowl, Qing dynasty, Kangxi-Yongzheng period
Expert remark: Compare the related color and manner of carving. Note the lobed form, the lacking bowstring, and the larger size (18.5 cm).