AGATE SNUFF BOTTLE
18TH-19TH CENTURY
5.8 cm high (without stopper)
The snuff bottle is of ovoid form with concave lip and recessed foot. The translucent stone is of rich honey tone with bright orange and red markings. The jadeite stopper is mounted with a gilt silver spoon and collar.
A very similar bottle is illustrated in Robert Hall, The Snowy Peaks Collection, A Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles formed by Pamela R. Lessing Friedman, Hong Kong, 2005, pl. 49, where the author notes that this type of snuff bottle is often overlooked because it seems ordinary and devoid of decoration, but that it is the very essence of elegance and simplicity.
Provenance:
Formerly in the collection of Jan Habbema, acquired in Indonesia prior to 1936, thence by descent in the family.