A Chinese carved agate lotus-shaped lobed bowl dating from the Tang or Song dynasty.

Dimensions are: 2 inches tall X 4 inches diameter, 5.08 cm X 10.16 cm. All measurements are approximate.

Condition: Good condition.

A reminder that all lots are sold as-is. We have sought to record the changes in the condition of this piece after its initial manufacture as diligently as possible; however, as stated in our terms, condition reports are statements of opinion and not representations or warranties. Oakridge Auction Gallery bears no responsibility for any error or omission.

Provenance: From Mr. Digmanese in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Notes: This carved agate bowl is a masterpiece of both artisanal skill and natural history. The bowl is a simple lotus form, allowing the focus to fall on the dense and labyrinthine pattern of striations. While agate naturally forms bands of stripes, these whorling patterns of ridges are particularly unique and complex. They are mesmerizing in their intricacy, appearing manmade like the interwoven threads of a tapestry, yet they are wholly natural, like the rippling surface of a quiet brook. These natural globular and banded striations give the simple lotus bowl an air of understated refinement, declining to gild the lily. It is easy to see why the precious stone was believed to elevate the mood and increase longevity; surely one cannot feel old when contemplating the pinnacle of the ancient union between nature's beauty and man's craftsmanship.

A similar jade cup dating from the Sui and Tang Dynasties is currently housed in the Palace Museum in Beijing under accession number 00095821. A similar metal cup is also housed in the Palace Museum in Beijing under accession number 00008695. A similar silver stem cup dating from the Tang Dynasty was recently sold by Christie's New York on September 11, 2019, as lot 549.

High resolution photos can be found here."

唐宋遼金元時期，東西方文化交流廣泛，瑪瑙制品主要制作用於珠管佩飾，其他裝飾用具、生活用具。當時佛教盛行，“瑪瑙”一詞源自佛經的梵語。為“阿斯瑪加波”的簡稱，為佛教七珍之一。中國使用瑪瑙的歷史可追溯到新石器時代，產地廣泛，幾乎各省市都有，色澤以白、黃居多，淡青其次，紅色瑪瑙極難見到。歷史上也稱“瓊玉”、“赤玉”，自古以來一直被當為辟邪物、護身符使用。此瑪瑙杯色澤褐紅色，盃撇口，掏膛規整，厚壁粗足，外壁為蓮瓣紋，深腹，高圈足。周身有疏密不均的環狀紋、層狀紋等多種不規則天然紋飾。此杯造型古樸，顏色艷麗，工藝精美，線條流暢，其風格更接近於唐代，瑪瑙材料在古時極為珍貴，能用如此大料雕刻，在同時期作品中極其稀有，在當時必定是宮廷之物。唐代的碗口微撇，口沿碗壁較厚，碗壁中部微收，底部飽滿，壁身線條流暢，圈足頗高。宋代圈足比唐代略低，碗壁也更薄。本件瑪瑙碗的器型及圈足與唐代時期作品相似度極高，也帶有些許宋代初期特征。瑪瑙碗經過了歲月的洗禮，包漿自然淳樸，不張揚，保存完美，傳世極少，是一件不可多得的美器。 類似器型在各博物館有收藏，可參閱故宮博物院藏乾隆款隋唐青玉撇口杯，編號故00095821(fig. 1)；館藏唐代盒，編號新0000865(fig. 2)。另見佳士得紐約2019年09月拍賣，拍品號549。参阅链接请见上方英文。"