A ‘FLOATER’ SILHOUETTE AGATE SNUFF BOTTLE, OFFICIAL SCHOOL, 1780-1880

Agate, the colors varying from blueish-white to honey, amber and dark-brown. Smooth surface polish.

China, 1780-1880

A nice example from this group of earlier agates, with inclusions that leave a lot of leeway for the interpretation-game, which was so popular among court officials and collectors of the 18th and 19th century. The hollowing is so perfect that the bottle, although made of stone, is floating in the water!

Shape: Globular.
Hollowing: Outstanding!
Mouth, neck and lip: Short sprawling neck with convex top and slanted lip.
Base: Oval base with raised, broad foot rim.
Stopper: Good aventurine stopper with black platelet and fine spoon.
Height of the bottle with stopper: 7 cm.
Width of the mouth: 7 mm.
Width of the neck: 23 mm.
Weight: 71 grams.
Condition: One microscopic nick to foot, likely natural. Otherwise perfect condition.
Provenance: United Kingdom private collection.

Auction result comparison: Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Christies, New York, 16 - 17 September 2010, lot 1189. (for a related bottle)

1780至1880年間影子瑪瑙”水上漂”鼻烟壺
瑪瑙，表面平滑磨光
中國，1780-1880年
品相極好
英國私人收藏