17th Oct, 2024 11:00
TWO-DAY AUCTION: Fine Asian Art, Buddhism and Hinduism
119
A CAMEO AGATE ‘MONKEY AND BEE’ SNUFF BOTTLE, FENGHOU, SUZHOU SCHOOL
Sold for €4,680
including Buyer's Premium
China, 1750-1850. Well hollowed, of flattened globular form supported on an oval foot and surmounted by a cylindrical neck with a slightly concave lip. One side is finely carved in low relief utilizing the dark areas of the stone to depict a monkey perched on a rock with a mischievous expression on its face, holding a stick while glancing over one shoulder at a bee which the simian is surely about to strike.
Expert’s note: The highly skilled lapidary has exploited not only the various tones present in the stone, but also the pale and dark brown markings. The exquisite, semi-translucent stone is of a distinct misty-gray tone with dark brown patches and veins.
Provenance: From the private collection of Suzanne Braley, thence by descent. Suzanne Henriette Marguerite Braley (1893-1970) was a banker based in Monte Carlo, Monaco. She also lived in Shanghai between around 1910 and 1920, where she collected Chinese antiques including snuff bottles, porcelain, and paintings.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, a minuscule nick to the lower end of the stick, and little nibbling around the mouth. The stone with natural fissures, some of which may have developed into fine hairlines.
Stopper: Jadeite cabochon on gilt-metal collar with rope-twist design
Weight: 86.8 g
Dimensions: Height including stopper 74 mm. Diameter neck 19 mm and mouth 7 mm.
The popular subject of a monkey (hou) with a bee or wasp (feng) provides the rebus fenghou, which means 'To be bestowed the rank of a marquis'.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Galerie Zacke, Vienna, 29 September 2022, lot 66
Price: EUR 26,000 or approx. EUR 28,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An important cameo agate snuff bottle, Suzhou School
Expert remark: Compare the related subject, stone, and manner of carving. Note the size (55 mm).
China, 1750-1850. Well hollowed, of flattened globular form supported on an oval foot and surmounted by a cylindrical neck with a slightly concave lip. One side is finely carved in low relief utilizing the dark areas of the stone to depict a monkey perched on a rock with a mischievous expression on its face, holding a stick while glancing over one shoulder at a bee which the simian is surely about to strike.
Expert’s note: The highly skilled lapidary has exploited not only the various tones present in the stone, but also the pale and dark brown markings. The exquisite, semi-translucent stone is of a distinct misty-gray tone with dark brown patches and veins.
Provenance: From the private collection of Suzanne Braley, thence by descent. Suzanne Henriette Marguerite Braley (1893-1970) was a banker based in Monte Carlo, Monaco. She also lived in Shanghai between around 1910 and 1920, where she collected Chinese antiques including snuff bottles, porcelain, and paintings.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, a minuscule nick to the lower end of the stick, and little nibbling around the mouth. The stone with natural fissures, some of which may have developed into fine hairlines.
Stopper: Jadeite cabochon on gilt-metal collar with rope-twist design
Weight: 86.8 g
Dimensions: Height including stopper 74 mm. Diameter neck 19 mm and mouth 7 mm.
The popular subject of a monkey (hou) with a bee or wasp (feng) provides the rebus fenghou, which means 'To be bestowed the rank of a marquis'.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Galerie Zacke, Vienna, 29 September 2022, lot 66
Price: EUR 26,000 or approx. EUR 28,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An important cameo agate snuff bottle, Suzhou School
Expert remark: Compare the related subject, stone, and manner of carving. Note the size (55 mm).
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