chine Agate / translucent chalcedony called “shadow agate” Qing snuffbox in shadow agate, “Shadow Agate” – from the Charles Cartier-Bresson antique collection - 5 cm
12
days
04
hours
44
minutes
39
seconds
Current bid
€ 2,005
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 3,200 - € 3,600
 | €2,005 | |
|---|---|---|
| €1,800 | |
| €1 |
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 142645 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Qing dynasty shadow agate tabatière, dating to circa 1780–1850, measuring 5 × 3.5 × 2 cm and originating from Austria, acquired legally from an auction house with provenance to the Cartier-Bresson private collection, including a coral stopper set in gilded bronze and a spoon, in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Elegant Chinese snuff bottle in shadow agate, Qing Dynasty, datable from the late 18th century to the first half of the 19th century, around 1780–1850.
The bottle is carved from a beautiful translucent chalcedony in honey, amber and pink-beige tones. One of the faces is animated by a notable natural brown-black inclusion whose silhouette evokes an abstract ink painting. The lapidary has chosen to let this natural mineral formation play the leading role in the decoration, creating a particularly evocative and meditative composition.
The form is compact and harmoniously flattened, with rounded shoulders and a straight cylindrical neck. The soft, glossy polish greatly enhances the depth and translucency of the stone.
The snuff bottle retains its coral stopper mounted in gilded bronze as well as its spoon.
Particularly interesting provenance: former Charles Cartier-Bresson Collection (1852–1921), France. An old handwritten label “CCB / 1.041” is still present under the base. Charles Cartier-Bresson, an important French collector of Asian art, personally numbered the pieces in his collection using small labels corresponding to his manuscript catalogue.
A neighboring number, CCB / 1.034, is today documented in French public collections, which confirms the coherence of this inventory system. The precise date of entry of the present bottle into the collection remains unknown, but the Cartier-Bresson provenance constitutes a solid historical pedigree.
Dimensions: 5 × 3.5 × 2 cm. Weight: 51 g.
Overall good condition for its age, with some small ancient irregularities and natural characteristics of the stone.
A detailed certificate of examination accompanies the lot.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/nw91au4o39fneqxvm0lr6/AEl24QnWeeKYYkrPLAhDofo?rlkey=p7mm9325lq6rl6io3hd3huw9p&dl=0
Elegant Chinese snuff bottle in shadow agate, Qing Dynasty, datable from the late 18th century to the first half of the 19th century, around 1780–1850.
The bottle is carved from a beautiful translucent chalcedony in honey, amber and pink-beige tones. One of the faces is animated by a notable natural brown-black inclusion whose silhouette evokes an abstract ink painting. The lapidary has chosen to let this natural mineral formation play the leading role in the decoration, creating a particularly evocative and meditative composition.
The form is compact and harmoniously flattened, with rounded shoulders and a straight cylindrical neck. The soft, glossy polish greatly enhances the depth and translucency of the stone.
The snuff bottle retains its coral stopper mounted in gilded bronze as well as its spoon.
Particularly interesting provenance: former Charles Cartier-Bresson Collection (1852–1921), France. An old handwritten label “CCB / 1.041” is still present under the base. Charles Cartier-Bresson, an important French collector of Asian art, personally numbered the pieces in his collection using small labels corresponding to his manuscript catalogue.
A neighboring number, CCB / 1.034, is today documented in French public collections, which confirms the coherence of this inventory system. The precise date of entry of the present bottle into the collection remains unknown, but the Cartier-Bresson provenance constitutes a solid historical pedigree.
Dimensions: 5 × 3.5 × 2 cm. Weight: 51 g.
Overall good condition for its age, with some small ancient irregularities and natural characteristics of the stone.
A detailed certificate of examination accompanies the lot.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/nw91au4o39fneqxvm0lr6/AEl24QnWeeKYYkrPLAhDofo?rlkey=p7mm9325lq6rl6io3hd3huw9p&dl=0
Details
Culture
chine
Century/timeframe
Fin XVIIIe – première moitié du XIXe siècle | vers 1780–1850
Name of object
Qing snuffbox in shadow agate, “Shadow Agate” – from the Charles Cartier-Bresson antique collection
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2020
Material
Agate / translucent chalcedony called “shadow agate”
Country acquired from
Austria
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
5 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1920
Width
3.5 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
Depth
2 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
