Duck Snuff Bottle

B40

Chalcedony, pale-grey with a deep brown contrasting inclusion minimally carved to depict a charming duck, improbably balanced on its feet with neck stretched upwards, a spray or plant in its beak.

Chinese, 1750 - 1860
Provenance: Sue Lapidus
Hugh Moss Ltd, 1974
Height: 5.3cm

It is possible that the recessed part of the bottle where the darker material has been taken away in order to represent the duck may double as a snuff dish in order to offer the powder to guests. A Mandarin duck symbolises married bliss and so this would have been a perfect wedding gift.