Bottle ID: 96

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CARVED, CAT AND BUTTERFLY

Date: 1750-1860

Height: 59 mm

Agate, superbly hollowed, of squared form with rounded shoulders, the rich honey colored stone carved using the mottled opaque brown inclusions with a cat chasing a butterfly, an opaque oval inclusion on one side, the base inscribed lao shou tu (Picture of longevity).

Similar Examples:

Holden, Rachelle R. Rivers and Mountains Far From the World - The Rachelle R. Holden Collection, 1994, pp. 94-95, no. 34.
Sotheby's, New York, September 15, 1998, lot 322, The Neal W. and Frances R. Hunter Collection.
Christie's, South Kensington, October 4, 1999, lot 64, The Gerry P. Mack Collection.

Provenance:

Clare Lawrence Ltd.
The Thewlis Collection

 

Published:

Lawrence, Clare. The Thewlis Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles, 1990, p. 11, no. 3

This is a superbly hollowed out bottle carved in low relief with a typical but very appealing subject matter. The quality of the carving and the very apt use of the opaque inclusions in the stone result in, as described on the base of the bottle, the perfect picture of longevity.

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