A CARVED AGATE PURSE FORM SNUFF BOTTLE 1750-1860A CARVED AGATE PURSE FORM SNUFF BOTTLE1750-1860Well-hollowed, the spade-shaped bottle carefully carved to the front and reverse with grooves imitating the pleats of a silk purse and gathered at the neck supporting undercut handles in the form of braided cords, 'tied' with a knotted ball on each side and suspending tassels; the evenly hued matrix of a pale gray tone.1 15/16in (4.9cm) high1750-1860 瑪瑙荷包形鼻煙壺一件Provenance:Joan and Ted Dorf Collection, no. 129The form of this bottle is part of a group imitating pleated and embroidered silk purses. Although this is an unusual group, examples exist in a variety of materials including agate, chalcedony, crystal and jade.