AN AGATE SNUFF BOTTLE

well hollowed, of square form with rounded corners and a cylindrical neck, the honey-brown inclusion carved on one face with a dappled horse tethered to a post, the manes and harness finely detailed and incised, the reverse plain to highlight the stone of creamy grayish-brown color, the base featuring a well carved inclusion of a coiled qilong

Francine and Bernard Wald Collection.
Vanessa F. Holden.

JICSBS, Autumn 1997, p. 14, figs. 33 and 34.

The bottle is in excellent condition. There is a sliver on the neck that appears to be natural to the stone (no fluoresence when inspected under UV light). A tiny nick to the surface, just about the horse's rear.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In his article, 'Ink-Play Agates', Hugh Moss applies an Imperial attribution to the present bottle based on the qilong: 'the chi dragon is a very imperial subject. It appears infrequently as principal decoration on non-imperial wares but appears often on imperial wares from the Qing dynasty.' (JICSBS, Autumn 1997, p. 14.)

For a discussion of the subject of a horse tethered to the post, see lot 52.