A FINE CARVED SUZHOU AGATE SNUFF BOTTLE18th/19th century Of flattened rounded form, supported on a gently recessed foot with protruding footrim, rising to a wide flat-lipped neck, the body flanked by a pair of lion mask and ring handles, finely carved in low relief with a gentleman seated in a fenced garden amongst overhanging pine and ornamental rockwork, a crane in flight amongst wispy clouds above, the reverse with pine and lingzhi issuing from stylised rock formations, the brown and deep russet markings skilfully incorporated into the design to the front, the reverse with banded striations suggestive of a waterfall cascading amongst the rocks, box. 5.7cm (2 1/4in) high. (2). Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價 Suzhou carving is typified by expertly using within the design, the natural colours or flaws of a stone; also by the frequency in the depiction of rocks and mountains, including natural folds and striations. The style of the relief carving, in particular, the convoluted, pierced rockwork, in the current example is similar to those found on other Suzhou agate snuff bottles of the Zhiting School that replicate the rocks in local gardens. For examples of this group, see 'The Collector's Book of Snuff Bottles', Bob C. Stevens, 1994, nos. 570-575. Provenance : Sotheby's Amsterdam, 22 May 2006, lot 190.