898 - Finely carved large snuff bottle made of hard agate (Manao)

Finely carved large snuff bottle made of hard agate (Manao) China, probably late Qing Dynasty to the Republican era. Agate. Height approx. 8.3 cm. Weight approx. 86 g. Good condition. Finely carved bottle with an exceptional stopper. The piece is the work of a master craftsman and was executed using the Qiaodiao technique, in which the natural color gradations and structures of the agate are artfully integrated into the design. The style is modeled after high-quality works from the Qianlong period. The relief depicts Daoist immortals, including one presumably preparing an elixir (Lian Dan) at a cauldron. Next to him stands another immortal as an accompanying figure. The scene alludes to the Daoist quest for the elixir of immortality and symbolizes longevity, spiritual perfection, and the attainment of transcendence.