AN UNUSUAL ‘RESTING SCHOLAR’ SHADOW AGATE SNUFF BOTTLE, 19TH CENTURY

The agate of light brown color with the back showing a darker tone, the center with a copper-colored layer, carved and incised in high relief
China, 19th century

Depiction of a sage resting under a pine tree surrounded by serrated rockwork. The copper-tone layer in the agate was very cleverly used to highlight the peaceful scene, with the rocks on the sides and some waves on the lower end serving as a silent yet dominating framework.

Shape: Flattened rectangular form with rounded shoulders
Hollowing: Good
Mouth, neck and lip: Short cylindric and sprawling neck, convex top and slanted lip, the mouth not exactly symmetrical
Base: Large oval base with raised and rounded foot rim
Design, marks, school: Official school
Stopper: White jadeite with hues of green, no spoon
Height of the bottle with stopper: 7.8 cm.
Width of the mouth:16 mm.
Width of the neck: 6 mm.
Weight: 67.7 grams
Condition: Excellent
Provenance: American private collection

Literature comparison: The Ruth and Carl Barron Collection of Fine Chinese Snuff Bottles: Part III. Christies, New York, 14 September 2016, lot 567. (compare with a jade bottle showing a similar motif)

稀有影子瑪瑙巧雕文人松下休憩圖鼻烟壺，十九世紀
淺褐色瑪瑙，背面隱約可見深色，中央為銅色層，深浮雕
中國， 十九世紀
壺型：扁平矩形，圓肩
掏膛：良好
壺口、頸與唇部：短圓筒狀延伸壺頸，壺口凸起，撇唇，壺口不完全對稱
底足：大橢圓形底足，高圈足
造型、落款及流派：御用
壺蓋：白色翡翠飄綠，無杓
壺高（含壺蓋）： 7.8 厘米
口徑：16 毫米
壺頸寬：6 毫米
重量：67.7 克
品相：極好
來源：美國私人收藏