清十八 / 十九世紀 瑪瑙天然紋鼻煙壺

Moss et al., 1996-2009, vol. 2, no. 265.

Natural flaw smoothed out originally, small indentation present. Good condition.
"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."

This type of chalcedony is properly termed agate, since it has banding on the plainer main side and distinctive areas of concentric banding in small patches within the vivid russet tones of the more colourful main side. Because of some areas of fern-like markings at the edges of the russet colouring, it could also be described as dendritic chalcedony, dendritic agate, or even moss-agate. Just to add to the confusion, there are quite large areas of the russet colouring that, were they used alone in a much smaller object, would qualify as jasper (compare, for instance, the material of Sale 6, lot 189).

The Blochs have interpreted the markings as the sort of Buddhist lion one sees in the ubiquitous Lion Dance, with the face of the lion in the upper-right quadrant of the russet colouring. The lower part of the design is read as the dancers holding the lion aloft. For anyone unable or unwilling to see it as such, a comparison with Sale 7, lot 6 would be helpful, where a slightly better defined Buddhist lion is identified beyond doubt by a fully carved model of the familiar brocaded ball with which it is usually associated.