Bottle ID: 55

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PEANUT AGATE WITH CRYSTAL

Date: 1750-1860

Height: 57 mm

Agate and crystal, well hollowed, carved in the form of a Chinese date with a golden brown agate 'skin' enveloping the crystal date, the outer surface with two peanuts in relief.

Similar Examples:

Lawrence, Clare. Miniature Masterpieces from the Middle Kingdom - The Monimar Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles, 1996, pp. 110-111, no. 49.2.
Moss, Hugh M. Chinese Snuff Bottles of the Silica or Quartz Group, 1971, p. 61, no. 160.

Provenance:

Butterfield & Butterfield, San Francisco, March 15-16, 1989, lot 528

Both chalcedony and agate may co-exist within the same rock formation and this is true of a number of stones such as crystal and agate, or carnelian and agate. The great carver can allow this dualism to be enjoyed by those who can simply appreciate the stone itself without any further adornment. Or it can be carved to great effect as seen here. This is an unusual example of what collectors term a ‘peanut agate’ where the Chinese date that forms the body of the bottle is split open to reveal the interior – the fleshy part of the date represented by the crystal inclusion. The combination of a Chinese date and peanuts forms the rebus Zaozi symbolizing wishes for a speedy and early arrival of male children.

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