China – Qing Dynasty Translucent agate / chalcedony Chinese snuffbox in translucent agate, shield-shaped with a geometric decoration. - 6 cm

11
days
21
hours
48
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Current bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Peter Reynaers
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers

Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.

Estimate  € 1,100 - € 1,400
FR
€1

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Chinese Qing Dynasty translucent agate shield-shaped tabatière with a geometric incised decoration, dating to circa 1780–1850, dimensions 6 × 3.8 × 1.7 cm, weight 39.3 g, in good condition, stopper made of orange carnelian mounted on metal with the rod missing.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Elegant Chinese agate snuff bottle in translucent agate, datable from the late 18th century to the first half of the 19th century, during the Qing dynasty.

The bottle presents a flattened, highly architectural shape, reminiscent of a shield, with angular shoulders converging to a short, slightly flared neck. The stone, in a milky white to very pale gray tint, has a beautiful translucency and discreet natural variations that animate the surface.

The two faces are framed by a fine incised geometric pattern, very restrained, which emphasizes the bottle’s construction without breaking the natural elegance of the agate. This type of treatment, based more on the quality of the stone, the purity of the lines, and the care in polishing than on a figurative décor, perfectly matches the taste of hardstone snuff bottles from the Qing period.

The stopper, made of orange carnelian and mounted on metal, creates a particularly harmonious contrast with the light hue of the body.

The bottle is in generally good condition, with slight signs of wear and a few minor irregularities compatible with its age. The stem/spoon of the stopper is missing.

A very balanced and refined piece, interesting as much for the quality of its agate as for its unusual form and its discreet geometric décor.

Dimensions: 6 × 3.8 × 1.7 cm
Weight: 39.3 g
China, Qing dynasty, circa 1780–1850.

video link:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/t8ut90j3uqsgqoxgd6jfo/AByuVl6dAYtB7wNPkHjewBE?rlkey=15ltxyrt22y3el75is11t93wj&dl=0

Seller's Story

MIMOSA SA — EXPERTISE, RESEARCH AND TRANSMISSION For more than 26 years, I have been working as an art dealer specializing in ancient Asian arts. My work is not simply to offer objects: it is to observe them, to understand them, to study them and to document them before passing them to a new collector. Each work presented by Mimosa SA undergoes thorough examination. Depending on its nature, this study may concern the iconography, the style, the proportions, the material, the execution techniques, surface traces, patina, the condition, restorations, provenance as well as relevant bibliographic, museum or archaeological comparisons. When justified, additional scientific analyses may also be undertaken. Our approach rests on the experience of sight, gained from direct contact with the works for over two decades, but also on methodical and constantly renewed research. We always favor a cautious, coherent and argued attribution rather than a seductive but insufficiently substantiated assertion. Transparency is at the heart of our approach. The wear, gaps, accidents, ancient restorations or more recent interventions are reported as precisely as possible. When an attribution carries uncertainty or remains a working hypothesis, it is clearly presented as such. Present on Catawiki since 2016, we have chosen to maintain a regular selection of works there in order to meet international collectors who value authenticity, knowledge and quality of documentation. Each acquisition is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued under our professional responsibility. For the most important works, this certificate takes the form of a genuine study dossier gathering the main technical, stylistic, iconographic, historical and bibliographic observations made during our research. The same standard applies to shipping. Over the years, we have developed a packaging method adapted to old, fragile, heavy or complex-shaped objects. Each work is protected, immobilized and carefully packaged, according to its material and its particularities. The shipping costs correspond to the real needs for protection, handling, insurance and secure transport. Shipping is never regarded as a source of commercial profit. Acquiring a work from Mimosa SA is to receive a selected, studied, described, documented and prepared object with the same care that we would wish for a work destined for our own collection.
Translated by Google Translate

Elegant Chinese agate snuff bottle in translucent agate, datable from the late 18th century to the first half of the 19th century, during the Qing dynasty.

The bottle presents a flattened, highly architectural shape, reminiscent of a shield, with angular shoulders converging to a short, slightly flared neck. The stone, in a milky white to very pale gray tint, has a beautiful translucency and discreet natural variations that animate the surface.

The two faces are framed by a fine incised geometric pattern, very restrained, which emphasizes the bottle’s construction without breaking the natural elegance of the agate. This type of treatment, based more on the quality of the stone, the purity of the lines, and the care in polishing than on a figurative décor, perfectly matches the taste of hardstone snuff bottles from the Qing period.

The stopper, made of orange carnelian and mounted on metal, creates a particularly harmonious contrast with the light hue of the body.

The bottle is in generally good condition, with slight signs of wear and a few minor irregularities compatible with its age. The stem/spoon of the stopper is missing.

A very balanced and refined piece, interesting as much for the quality of its agate as for its unusual form and its discreet geometric décor.

Dimensions: 6 × 3.8 × 1.7 cm
Weight: 39.3 g
China, Qing dynasty, circa 1780–1850.

video link:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/t8ut90j3uqsgqoxgd6jfo/AByuVl6dAYtB7wNPkHjewBE?rlkey=15ltxyrt22y3el75is11t93wj&dl=0

Seller's Story

MIMOSA SA — EXPERTISE, RESEARCH AND TRANSMISSION For more than 26 years, I have been working as an art dealer specializing in ancient Asian arts. My work is not simply to offer objects: it is to observe them, to understand them, to study them and to document them before passing them to a new collector. Each work presented by Mimosa SA undergoes thorough examination. Depending on its nature, this study may concern the iconography, the style, the proportions, the material, the execution techniques, surface traces, patina, the condition, restorations, provenance as well as relevant bibliographic, museum or archaeological comparisons. When justified, additional scientific analyses may also be undertaken. Our approach rests on the experience of sight, gained from direct contact with the works for over two decades, but also on methodical and constantly renewed research. We always favor a cautious, coherent and argued attribution rather than a seductive but insufficiently substantiated assertion. Transparency is at the heart of our approach. The wear, gaps, accidents, ancient restorations or more recent interventions are reported as precisely as possible. When an attribution carries uncertainty or remains a working hypothesis, it is clearly presented as such. Present on Catawiki since 2016, we have chosen to maintain a regular selection of works there in order to meet international collectors who value authenticity, knowledge and quality of documentation. Each acquisition is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued under our professional responsibility. For the most important works, this certificate takes the form of a genuine study dossier gathering the main technical, stylistic, iconographic, historical and bibliographic observations made during our research. The same standard applies to shipping. Over the years, we have developed a packaging method adapted to old, fragile, heavy or complex-shaped objects. Each work is protected, immobilized and carefully packaged, according to its material and its particularities. The shipping costs correspond to the real needs for protection, handling, insurance and secure transport. Shipping is never regarded as a source of commercial profit. Acquiring a work from Mimosa SA is to receive a selected, studied, described, documented and prepared object with the same care that we would wish for a work destined for our own collection.
Translated by Google Translate

Details

Culture
China – Qing Dynasty
Century/timeframe
Fin XVIIIe – première moitié du XIXe siècle, vers 1780-1850
Name of object
Chinese snuffbox in translucent agate, shield-shaped with a geometric decoration.
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2020
Material
Translucent agate / chalcedony
Country acquired from
France
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
6 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
2000
Width
3.8 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
Depth
1.7 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
BelgiumVerified
505
Objects sold
pro

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.

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