AN AGATE LADY’S SNUFF BOTTLE

AN AGATE LADY’S SNUFF BOTTLE China, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) to Republic period (1912-1949). Of compressed globular form rising from a short oval foot and carved with lion mask handles on the sides. The transparent beige stone with a good polish. With a metal mounted amethyst stopper and metal spoon. Condition: Good condition with minor wear and surface scratches as well as few microscopic nibbles to rims. Provenance: Dr. Ernst Eichler, Vienna, Austria. Thence by descent in the same family. Ernst Eichler (1932-2018) was a judge and poet, writing under the pseudonym of Ernst David. His works have been published worldwide and translated into many languages, including Japanese. Beginning in the late 1960s, he built an important collection of writing instruments, seals and other antique desktop objects, among them a small number of Chinese and Tibetan seals. Weight: 55.8 g Dimensions: Height 5.5 cm incl. stopper