AN AGATE ‘MELON’ SNUFF BOTTLEChina, Republic period (1912-1949). The agate snuff bottle, well hollowed, carved in the form of two melons with leafy vines encircling the fruits. The translucent stone of creamy-ochre tone interspersed with honey brown inclusions.Condition: Good condition with some surface wear, miniscule nibbling to the mouth, and the stone with natural inclusions and fissures. Provenance: The collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above. Dr. István Zelnik, President of the Hungarian South and Southeast Asian Research Institute, is a former high-ranking Hungarian diplomat who spent several decades in Southeast Asia, building the largest known private collection of Asian art in Europe.Stopper: Matching agate stopper in the shape of a stem Weight: 35.9 g Dimensions: Length including stopper 85 mm. Diameter mouth 7 mm