A CHALCEDONY AGATE INSCRIBED 'LOTUS BUD' SNUFF BOTTLE 18th/19th century The flattened baluster body rising from a wide foot ring to a cylindrical neck, the sides elegantly carved with six lobes forming the closed petals of a lotus bud growing from its calyx, below a rope work around the base of the neck, each lobe inscribed with a six-character inscription, stopper. 5.5cm (2 1/8in) high. (2). Footnotes: The item within this lot containing ivory has been registered in accordance with the Ivory Act (Section 10). Ref.NR173ZTX 該批次中含有象牙的物品已根據《象牙法案》（章節10）註冊Ref.NR173ZTX 十八/十九世紀 瑪瑙刻詩文鼻烟壺 Provenance: Mrs C.G. Blaxter Christie's London, 11 November 1974, lot 23 Trudy and John Cohen, collection no.B19 來源： C.G. Blaxter夫人 倫敦佳士得，1974年11月11日，拍品編號23 Trudy及John Cohen伉儷，藏品編號B19 The inscription reads: 掌上獻奇珍香生四座春芝蘭同氣。潤欺珠玉光華鮮垢塵可稱三代器。雅愛最宜心珍藏味水月以精神明。 Which may be translated as: In the palm, rare treasures are offered, giving rise to precious fragrance; Around the hall, all share the same spirit as spring orchids. Its lustre outshines pearls and jade in radiant brilliance; Even with patina, it may be deemed a vessel of the Three Dynasties. Elegantly cherished, it is best kept close to the heart; Its subtle essence, like water and moonlight, clarifies the spirit. The present lot may belong to the group identified by H.Moss in Chinese Snuff Bottles of the Silica or Quartz Group, London, 1971, p.74, characterised by translucent pale agate and typically bearing inscriptions. The stone is exquisitely carved as a six-petalled lotus bud on the cusp of bloom, its luminous translucency reinforcing the symbolism of purity traditionally associated with the lotus, which emerges unstained from muddy waters. See a jade snuff bottle of lotus bud form, 1736-1795, illustrated by R.Hall, The Snowy Peaks Collection: A Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles Formed by Pamela R. Lessing Friedman, Hong Kong, 2005, no.84. A chalcedony snuff bottle with panels inscribed with a poem, 19th century and attributed to the Palace Workshops, Beijing, is illustrated by H.Moss, V.Graham, and K.B.Tsang, The Art of the Chinese Snuff Bottle: The J & J Collection, vol.1, New York, 1993, no.164. Compare the shape with a celadon jade 'lotus petal' snuff bottle, 1750-1820, which was sold at Bonhams New York, 15 September 2025, lot 180. 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