A shadow agate snuff bottle - 1740-1820

The well-hollowed pale amber ovoid body raised on a finely finished oval foot, the dark brown inclusions used to highlight the design of an Immortal herding a deer, as the sun rises from behind clouds that issue from the deer's antlers, forming the rebus yi lu gao sheng (on the path to continued success) inscribed on the reverse, the short sides worked with pine and lingzhi growing from craggy rocks, metal-mounted coral stopper. 5.1cm (2in) high. (3). - Estimate: HK$100,000 - 150,000, £6,400 - 9,600

Footnote: 1740-1820年 瑪瑙巧作一路高昇鼻煙壺

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Bonhams. Fine Chinese Ceramics, Works of Art and Paintings, 29 May 2008. Island Ballroom, Island Shangri-La Hong Kong Hotel, Central, Hong Kong