The bottle of compressed globular form, a flat lip and oval foot rim. The body carved with mask handles at the sides and fitted with a green glass stopper. The archaistic animal handles provide a sculptural accent to the polished stone, while the stopper introduces a contrasting note of colour. A hardwood stand accompanies the bottle.
An agate snuff bottle with mask handles (Qing dynasty, 19th century)
Description
Dimensions:
6 cm high
Provenance:
A private English collection, acquired in the 1970s
The bottle of compressed globular form, a flat lip and oval foot rim. The body carved with mask handles at the sides and fitted with a green glass stopper. The archaistic animal handles provide a sculptural accent to the polished stone, while the stopper introduces a contrasting note of colour. A hardwood stand accompanies the bottle.
Agate offered the carver a material whose natural variation in colour and translucency could contribute as much to an object’s appearance as its worked decoration. In the present example, the carving is concentrated at the sides, allowing the stone to remain the principal focus. The combination of restrained ornament and a contrasting stopper gives the bottle a clear, measured presentation.
Additional information
| Period | Qing dynasty, 19th century |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6 cm high |
