PROPERTIES FROM A FRENCH COLLECTOR OF JADE CARVINGS AND SNUFFBOTTLES

AN UNUSUAL ‘DRAGON AND CLOUDS’ AGATE SNUFF BOTTLE
CHINA
This snuff bottle has been carved out of a single block of agate of...

PROPERTIES FROM A FRENCH COLLECTOR OF JADE CARVINGS AND SNUFFBOTTLES

AN UNUSUAL ‘DRAGON AND CLOUDS’ AGATE SNUFF BOTTLE
CHINA
This snuff bottle has been carved out of a single block of agate of greyish tones with a thick orange skin. It rests on a short ring foot, has a flattened body and round shoulders surmounted by a short cylindrical rim. The skilful carver used the orange parts, circumscribing the body of the snuff bottle, to depict a flying dragon, whilst he used the greyish part to rend the clouds, some of them detailed with engraving. The inner part is well hollowed.
H: 5,5 cm
Weight: 82,6 grams

Provenance: Property from a French collector: a collection of jade and stone carvings and snuff bottles assembled over two decades. Pieces either bought privately or at public auction. 

Note: The dragon (long - 龙) is one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. The dragon is believed to live in the mountains or in the seas and can fly into the heavens. Ancient Chinese believed the dragon brought rain, good harvests and fertility. Clouds, sometimes referred to as ‘auspicious clouds’ (xiangyun - 祥云), represent the heavens and also ‘good luck’ because the Chinese word for cloud (yun - 云) is pronounced the same as yun (运) meaning ‘luck’ or ‘fortune’. Its form often resembles the auspicious shape of the lingzhi ‘fungus of immortality’. The cloud is a commonly seen design and when repeated in a pattern symbolizes never-ending fortune.

罕见的祥云龙纹玛瑙鼻烟壶
中国，20世纪

NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS

It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.

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