A SILHOUETTE AGATE 'MONKEY AND PEACH' SNUFF BOTTLE, QING DYNASTY
China, 1750-1850. Extremely well-hollowed, the rounded rectangular body rising from a short, broad oval foot to a slightly waisted neck. Carved in relief with a monkey carrying a large peach below a butterfly under stylized clouds and the sun, cleverly utilizing the amber shadings of the milky white translucent stone.

Provenance: From a private collection in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Condition: Very good condition with minor old wear and a few tiny nicks here and there.

Stopper: Carved and stained bone, metal spoon
Weight: 37.4 g
Dimensions: Height incl. stopper 61 mm, Diameter neck 15 mm and mouth 7 mm

The homophone for monkey, hou, one of the twelve zodiac animals, is 'nobleman' or 'high official' as well as 'descendants'. The monkey therefore represents the wish for the success of one's descendants. The representation of monkey and peach relates to the legendary Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, who stole the peaches of immortality. Therefore, the present lot bestows auspicious wishes for success and longevity for generations. There is also a homophone for butterfly (die) which means 'to repeat', so adding a butterfly to a scene repeats the wish of the other symbols.

Auction result comparison: Compare a related agate snuff bottle, with three monkeys holding peaches, at Christie's New York in The Ruth and Carl Barron Collection of Fine Snuff Bottles: Part III on 14 September 2016, lot 582, sold for USD 5,250.

清代瑪瑙巧雕靈猴獻壽鼻烟壺
中國，1750-1850年。掏膛極好，圓潤的長方形壺身，壺頸略收，短而寬的橢圓形圈足。 利用瑪瑙色澤巧雕一隻猴子帶著一隻大桃子，上方有蝴蝶飛舞，巧妙利用了乳白色半透明石料的琥珀色陰影。

來源：美國賓夕法尼亞州費城私人收藏
品相：狀況非常好，輕微磨損，局部有輕微磕損。壺蓋：骨質，金屬小勺
重量：37.4 克
尺寸：含蓋高61 毫米，頸部直徑 15 毫米與嘴部直徑 7 毫米

拍賣結果比較：一件三猴獻壽鼻烟壺，見紐約佳士得 The Ruth and Carl Barron Collection of Fine Snuff Bottles: Part III 2016年9月14日 lot 582, 售價USD 5,250。