900 - 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 Republican era. Agate. Height approx. 8.5 cm. Weight approx. 95 g. Good condition. The relief depiction shows an eagle resting on a rock next to a pine tree. The warm orange layers of agate have been masterfully used to highlight the main motifs, while the stone’s natural dark inclusions form an atmospheric backdrop. The harmonious interplay of material, color, and motif lends the work a distinctive painterly quality and underscores the high quality of the stone carving. A finely cut 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 gradients and structures of the agate are artfully integrated into the design. The style is inspired by high-quality works from the Qianlong period.