Bottle ID: 128

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CARVED, SQUIRRELS

Date: 1750-1860

Height: 48 mm

Agate, very well hollowed, of rounded bulbous form with an oval indented foot, the stone of honey colored tones with dark brown mottled inclusions, carved in relief on one side with a squirrel cavorting amongst fruiting vines, a second squirrel on the rock below the tree, the reverse with two bats swooping above swirling waves.

Similar Examples:

Crane Collection no. 671
Crane Collection no. 626
Holden, Rachelle, R. Rivers and Mountains Far From the World - The Rachelle R. Holden Collection, 1994, pp. 164-165, no. 69.
Sotheby's, Los Angeles, October 31, 1984, lot 93, Collection of Alice B. McReynolds, Part I.
Sotheby's, New York, April 16, 1985, lot 84 and 91, Collection of Alice B. McReynolds, Part II.
Sotheby's, Hong Kong, October 30, 2000, lot 585, The Guo'an Collection.

Provenance:

Clare Lawrence Ltd.
Mr. and Mrs. M. DuBoff, Florida

As much as it takes both talent and technical skill to carve an agate bottle successfully, it is necessary to envision the end result at the point of cutting into the stone. If done correctly the carver has a canvas of colors at his disposal with which to create a lively and charming scene such as this, and he can take full advantage of his abilities. If done incorrectly the final result is a stiff and unappealing depiction on an ugly bottle. Fortunately this was not the case here as the squirrels are seen cavorting amongst the leafy vines almost in dappled sunlight.

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