The agate is of a cloudy translucent color and caramel skin on the front side carved in high relief creating a cameo effect of a dragon, tiger, peach and bat. The hidden dragon and the crouching tiger are symbolic of hidden strength and a reminder that there is great power and skill within. The combination of the peach and the bat is a wish for a long happy life. On the reverse side a low relief carving of two orchid plants emanating from the rocky ground near the base. The bottle shape is a rounded square form having rounded shoulders, round neck, concave lip, narrow mouth and a broad raised foot with an inset base. The bottle is well hollowed revelaing a pillow cloud  like matrix of the quartz. Round carnelian stopper of a halved mandarin bead with black vinyl collar and organic spoon having a long paddle. Painted collection numbers on the base “27” in blue and “91” in black on white. 

3 in, high x 2-1/8 in. wide x 1-1/2 in. deep (7.6 x 5.4 x 3.8 cm)

3.4 oz. ( 99g.) 

19th century.

Provenance: 

Charles V. Swain, Jr., Bucks County, PA.

Christie’s Paris “Art d’Asie”, June 10, 2009, lot # 111.