A CAMEO AGATE ‘BUDDHIST LION’ SNUFF BOTTLE, 1750-1850 China. Well hollowed, of rounded rectangular form rising from an oval foot with a recessed base to a straight cylindrical neck. The translucent stone of a misty-gray tone with dark brown patches carved to form two Buddhist lions and a flying bat.

Provenance: From a Noble English family, prior to 1921. Louis Mountbatten, acquired from the above, and thence by descent within the same family. Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (1900 – 1979), was a member of the British Royal Family, statesman and cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. His career involved extensive naval commands and the negotiation of independence for India and Pakistan. In August 1979, Mountbatten was assassinated by a bomb planted aboard his fishing boat in Ireland, by members of the Irish Republican Army.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and nibbling to lip and base. The stone with natural fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks over time.

Stopper: Green glass stopper on metal mounting, metal spoon
Weight: 78 g
Dimensions: Height including stopper 70 mm. Diameter neck 20 mm and mouth 8 mm.

Auction result comparison: Compare a related carved agate ‘Buddhist Lion’ snuff bottle, dated 1750-1860, at Christie’s New York in The Ruth and Carl Barron Collection of Fine Chinese Snuff Bottles: Part II on 16 March 2016, lot 521, sold for USD 4,750.

1750-1850年焦糖瑪瑙巧雕太獅鼻烟壺
中國。掏膛良好，寬肩微削，橢圓形圈足，圓柱形短頸，平唇。褐色半透明石頭，利用焦糖色斑紋，雕刻兩隻佛教獅子和一隻蝙蝠。

來源：英國貴族家族收藏，購於1921年前；Louis Mountbatten購於上述收藏，在同一家族保存至今。Louis Mountbatten，第一代緬甸的Mountbatten伯爵(1900 – 1979)，是英國皇室成員、政治家和伊麗莎白二世女王的堂兄。他的職業生涯涉及海軍指揮以及與印度以及巴基斯坦的談判。1979 年 8 月，Mountbatten被愛爾蘭共和軍成員在他的愛爾蘭漁船上安放的炸彈暗殺。
品相：狀況極好，輕微磨損，唇部和底部有輕微磨損。有天然紋理的石料隨著時間的推移，一些可能已經發展成細縫。

壺蓋: 綠玻璃壺蓋包金屬，金屬小勺
重量：78 克
尺寸：含壺蓋高70 毫米；頸部直徑20 毫米 ，嘴部直徑8 毫米

拍賣結果比較：比較一件相近1750-1860年瑪瑙雕太獅鼻烟壺，見紐約佳士得The Ruth and Carl Barron Collection of Fine Chinese Snuff Bottles: Part II 2016年3月16日 lot 521, 售價USD 4,750。