China Qing snuff-box in carved amethyst and silver...

Remarkable Chinese snuffbox in carved amethyst, dating from the first half of the 19th century, during the Qing dynasty, circa 1825. The body of the flask is carved from beautiful amethyst quartz, displaying a rich palette of tones ranging from light lilac to deep violet. The stone naturally retains areas that are more translucent, crystalline veils, and internal variations that give each face a different depth and appearance depending on the lighting. The two large faces are bas-relief carved with a design pairing blooming peonies, birds and branches, in the early 19th-century Chinese decorative tradition. Peonies, particularly valued in Qing arts, are traditionally associated with prosperity, elegance and prestige. One of the most remarkable elements of this bottle is its elaborate silver filigree mount. It forms a true openwork frame around the amethyst, with finely worked bands on the sides and around the neck. On both faces, metal elements depicting stylized rocks complement the stone’s carved decoration, creating a composition that blends lapidary work and goldsmithing. The base is also carefully surrounded by twisted and interlaced silver work. The entire mount precisely follows the bottle’s profile, which testifies to a design specific to this bottle and not a simple generic fitted mount. The snuffbox retains its convex stopper in red-orange coral, mounted on cork, as well as its antique spoon. Dimensions: 7.7 × 4 × 2.5 cm. Weight: 101.8 g. The overall condition is good for its age. The amethyst shows natural inclusions, veils and cracks inherent to the crystal, already characteristic of the stone. The silver mount shows an aged patina, a few small deformations, and signs of use consistent with its age. The detailed photographs are an integral part of the condition description. Provenance: former British private collection; provenance documented since 1970; then European private collection. The piece is accompanied by its historical documentation as well as a Mimosa certificate of authenticity. A snuffbox particularly appealing due to the uncommon combination of carved amethyst, silver filigree and coral stopper, reinforced by a long-documented provenance spanning more than half a century.

Estimate:$3,527.52

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