A CARNELIAN AGATE 'PHOENIX AND LINGZHI' VASE, QING DYNASTY China, 18^th-19^th century. The vessel with two receptacles, the larger carved as a gnarled tree trunk and the smaller as a lingzhi fungus growing from the side, further carved in relief and openwork with a phoenix and a bat perched on the trunk as well as lingzhi sprigs and numerous leafy peach branches, the striking contrast between the white agate and bright-red carnelian inclusions ingeniously used to great effect.

Provenance: British trade.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age and displaying nicely overall, with old wear, minor nicks here and there, minuscule losses, and light surface scratches. The stone with extensive yet almost invisible natural fissuring, exactly as expected from ancient specimens of this conglomerate mineral, some of which developed into microscopic hairline cracks over time. Note that the vessel is leaning to one side, which was likely once compensated with a fitted wood stand.

Weight: 694.6 g
Dimensions: Width 13.5 cm

Opinion: The extensive yet almost invisible natural fissuring is a hallmark of the most ancient specimens of this conglomerate mineral, which was rare and thus highly coveted by Chinese literati and scholars of the 18^th century. Much to the contrary, specimens mined in modern times all lack this distinct and unique feature.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 30 November 2017, lot 362
Price: 225,000 HKD or approx. EUR 29,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A large carnelian agate 'sanduo' vase, Qing dynasty, 18^th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form with two receptacles and fine openwork carving as well as the related motif with tree trunk and peach. Note the larger size (21.3 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams London, 13 May 2021, lot 46
Price: GBP 45,250 or approx. EUR 54,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A large carnelian agate 'sanduo' vase, 19^th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, probably also leaning to one side and compensated by the matching stand, also with two receptacles and fine openwork carving as well as the similar motif with phoenix, tree trunk, and peach. Note the slightly larger size (19 cm).


清代紅玉髓鳳凰如意福壽瓶
中國，十八至十九世紀。小瓶有兩個容器，較大的雕刻為多節的樹幹，較小的雕刻為從側面生長的靈芝，采用浮雕和鏤空技藝。樹上棲息著一隻鳳凰和一隻蝙蝠，四周可見靈芝和眾多的綠葉和桃枝。白色瑪瑙與鮮紅色的紅玉髓內含物形成鮮明對比，巧妙運用，效果極佳。

來源：英國古玩交易市場。
品相：狀況良好，與年齡相稱，有磨損，輕微的劃痕，微小的缺損和輕微的表面劃痕。這塊石料具有廣泛但很輕微的天然裂縫，與這種礫岩礦物的古代標本所預期的完全一樣，其中一些隨著時間的推移發展髮絲縫。請注意此瓶向一側傾斜，可能曾經有一個相應的木底座。

重量：694.6克
尺寸：寬13.5厘米

專家注釋：廣泛但幾乎看不見的天然裂隙是這種礫岩礦物最古老的礦石的標誌，這種礫岩非常罕見，因此受到 十八世紀中國文人學者的高度推崇。而現代開採的石料都缺乏這種鮮明而獨特的特徵。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：非常相近
拍賣：香港蘇富比，2017年11月30日，lot 362
價格：HKD 225,000（相當於今日EUR 29,000）
描述：十八世紀紅玉髓「三多」花插
專家評論：比較非常相近的外型、兩個容器和鏤空雕刻，以及相近的樹幹和桃子主題。請注意尺寸較大 (21.3厘米)。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：非常相近
拍賣：倫敦邦瀚斯，2021年5月13日，lot 46
價格：GBP 45,250（相當於今日EUR 54,000）
描述：十九世紀南紅瑪瑙「三多」花插
專家評論：比較非常相近的形式，也是向一側傾斜，可能有相配的支架，也有兩個容器和精細的鏤空雕刻，以及類似的鳳凰、樹幹和桃子的圖案。注意它的尺寸稍大(19厘米)。