S24 An agate “Four fishes” snuff bottle

Description

Description:  Chinese agate snuff bottle carved with four fan-tailed goldfish in relief, taking advantage of the black skin of the stone for enhancing their shapes. One of the fishes, not including the black layer, display a nice transparence. The visual effect is outstanding.

Foot/base:  Slightly protruding round foot and flat base

Mark:  

Dating:  18^th / 19^th Century.

Material:  Agate

Size:  72 mm high

Stopper:  Pink glass and bamboo spoon.

Provenance:  Mario Dalmazzo collection

Reference:  Two smaller snuff bottles with a pair of similar fishes and carving are in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, see last picture.

Notes:  About Mario Dalmazzo collection, see Provenance of the ceramic snuff bottle C8.