A STRIATED AGATE MINIATURE SNUFF BOTTLE QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

very well hollowed, with a flat lip and a concave foot surrounded by a narrow rounded footrim; the carnelian stopper with a jadeite finial and plastic collar

Kaynes-Klitz Collection.
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 3rd November 1994, lot 913.

Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 2, Hong Kong, 1998, no. 216.

The overall condition is very good. There is a natural russet vein around the striations on one main side of the bottle which is part of the original stone. The lip and footrim are in good condition. The actual colour of the stone is slightly more greyish brown, less red, compared to the catalogue illustration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

On the main profile of this bottle, the area of maximum width is placed just below the centre line. The narrow-side profile follows the more usual practice for this shape of tapering towards the neck rather than towards the foot and in balancing the form by emphasising the lower area of the bottle, albeit with a broader band of maximum width.

 Any form of stone with natural markings has its own charms, and hair crystal is no exception. Those with a few thick hairs can be spectacular and immediately striking, while those with randomly marked thick and thin inclusions with a lot of clear space between allow for the easiest access into the game of interpretation and can also be spectacular, especially if they have some iridescence.Those with densely included markings of similar thickness lend an overall brilliance to the material that holds its own subtle fascination. All can be equally powerful, but the levels at which the power is accessible and at its height may differ. This is an unusually bright and evenly marked example. It represents the perfect formal integrity amongst mid-Qing crystal bottles. It is of an unusual, vertically extended form and is well hollowed while leaving a reasonable thickness of wall.