Lot 294

Chinese Shadow Agate 'Cat and Butterfly' Snuff Bottle

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Chinese Shadow Agate 'Cat and Butterfly' Snuff Bottle

Estimate: $600 - $800

Starting Bid: $300

(0 Bids)

by Fine Estate Inc.
June 21, 2026 11:00 AM PDT (In Progress)
Live Auction
121 Jordan Street
San Rafael, CA, US 94901

Chinese Shadow Agate 'Cat and Butterfly' Snuff Bottle
Late Qing Dynasty 19th Century to early 20th Century

Of flattened ovoid form, carved from a honey-colored agate pebble with natural dark brown inclusions. The stone cleverly utilized to depict a black cat's head emerging at the lower front and a butterfly with a black and dark brown body on the reverse. With a mottled green hardstone stopper.
Height: 2 ¾ in. (7 cm) including stopper

Condition: Good overall. Light surface scratches and expected wear. No chips or cracks.

Note: Agate snuff bottles using natural markings, known as "qiao diao" or "clever carving", were highly prized in the Qing dynasty. This example is consistent with late Qing dynasty production. The combination of cat and butterfly forms the rebus "mao die", a homophone for "mao die" meaning "longevity at 80-90 years".

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Shipping

Auction house does not provide in-house shipping. Please contact one of the shippers listed below, or a shipper of your choice, for a shipping quote prior to bidding:
RM Auction Shipping Services, [email protected] , (415) 860-3163 ph#
Packaging Store, [email protected]
Pak Mail, [email protected]

Fine Estate, Inc. may be able to ship small jewelry items. Please contact the gallery directly for a shipping quote. [email protected]

Fine Estate Inc.

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