AN INSCRIBED SILHOUETTE AGATE ‘CELESTIAL EYE GOLDFISH’ SNUFF BOTTLE, OFFICIAL SCHOOL, 1750-1860

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AN INSCRIBED SILHOUETTE AGATE ‘CELESTIAL EYE GOLDFISH’ SNUFF BOTTLE, OFFICIAL SCHOOL, 1750-1860 Expert's Note: Among silhouette agate snuff bottles, the highest level of artistry is achieved when the natural inclusions of the stone alone create the intended image. The less intervention required by the lapidary, the more remarkable the result. Since the internal pattern of an agate pebble only becomes fully apparent during the grinding and polishing process, even the most experienced craftsman could never predict with certainty what image, if any, would ultimately emerge. The present bottle is an outstanding example of this phenomenon. The fish appears with astonishing naturalism, its body, head, eye, and fins defined almost entirely by the stone's own coloration. Only the slightest, almost imperceptible engraving was required to complete the composition. Once such a convincing natural image had revealed itself, the surrounding aquatic plants could be approached with considerably greater artistic freedom to eventually render the final underwater scene. What makes this bottle exceptional is the extraordinary coincidence of nature and craftsmanship. Behind this seemingly effortless composition lie countless agate pebbles that yielded no comparable imagery. The present bottle preserves one of those exceedingly rare moments when the lapidary's patience and experience were finally rewarded with a natural design of exceptional beauty, requiring only the most restrained artistic intervention. China. Superbly hollowed, the flattened rounded-rectangular body supported on a short oval foot ring and rising to a cylindrical neck with a flat rim, cleverly utilizing the black-brown inclusions to the front and one narrow side to depict a large descending celestial-eye goldfish above coral, with shadowy aquatic weeds to one side. The details are sparingly incised, limited chiefly to the fish’s mouth, allowing the natural markings of the stone to define the composition. Inscriptions: The reverse with an engraved ten-character poem, 倘若从龙去，还施润物工, ‘If the dragon departs, it still brings its nourishing rain.’ Stopper: Coral on green-stained bone collar; carved spoon Dimensions: Height including stopper 84 mm. Diameter neck 23 mm and mouth 8 mm. Celestial Eye or Choutengan is a breed of goldfish that has a defining pair of telescope eyes which are turned upwards, pupils gazing animatedly about. Celestial eye goldfish were a popular motif during the Qing dynasty. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 21 March 2014, lot 2448 Price: USD 32,500 or approx. EUR 40,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, similar color, and technique. Note the smaller size (6 cm).

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