A CHALCEDONY SHADOW AGATE 'COCKEREL AND COCKSCOMB' SNUFF BOTTLE 18th/19th century The bottle of rounded rectangular form, supported on a short foot and below a cylindrical neck, the translucent honey-coloured stone marked with dark brown inclusions cleverly carved with the silhouette of a sturdy cockerel marching towards a lush floral spray, the reverse uncarved, stopper. 5.9cm (2 5/8in) high. (2). Footnotes: The item within this lot containing ivory has been registered in accordance with the Ivory Act (Section 10). Ref.YFJ2QM7S 該批次中含有象牙的物品已根據《象牙法案》（章節10）註冊Ref.YFJ2QM7S 十八/十九世紀 瑪瑙巧雕鷄紋鼻烟壺 Provenance: Estelle Chapman, London Trudy and John Cohen, collection no.B36, acquired from the above circa 1973 來源：Estelle Chapman, 倫敦 Trudy及John Cohen伉儷，藏品編號B36，約1973年從上處獲得 Homophonous with the word meaning auspicious ji, the cockerel (ji) has come to symbolise good luck and is believed to ward off evil. Its red comb (guan 冠) resembles, and puns on, the official's hat (guanmian 冠冕). A visual rebus is formed by depicting a rooster with a comb (guan 冠) by a coxcomb plant (jiguan hua 雞冠花), which together create the phrase guanshang jiaguan (冠上加冠), meaning 'May you be granted promotion after promotion'. With its charming and warm depiction of a rooster striding toward a cockscomb, the present snuff bottle would have made an ideal gift for someone aspiring to pass the Civil Service examinations. See a related shadow agate featuring a bird, 19th century, which was sold at Christie's South Kensington, 12 May 2015, lot 231. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * Y Ф * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. Y Subject to CITES regulations when exporting items outside of the UK, see clause 13. Ф This lot contains or is made of ivory and cannot be imported into the USA or any country within the EU. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing