Waterweed Agate Snuff Bottle

A moss opaque pearl-grey agate plain snuff bottle, well hollowed, with a coral stopper.

B5

Quartz, chalcedony; opaque pearl-grey and blue with moss-like dendritic inclusions reminiscent of weeds floating in a pond, well hollowed and resting on a flat oval foot.

Chinese, 1750 - 1860
Stopper: pink coral on black collar
Provenance: Ko collection, sold at Christies, 1976
Height: 6cm

It is by no means a coincidence that many mineral snuff bottles resemble other natural phenomena. The Chinese were exceptionally skilled in using their imagination to release images from within the natural abstract markings. These stones, specially selected by the Qing craftsmen provided the perfect vehicle for the 'experience hungry' art lovers of the period.