A RARE AGATE LIBATION CUP, YONGZHENG
China, earlier 18th century. Finely and thinly carved as a deep pointed cup, the foot rim precisely mirroring this form, entirely plain, the completely translucent stone containing natural whorls of banded blueish and amber tones.

Provenance: English private collection.
Condition: Excellent condition with few natural fissures in the mineral and small nibbling to edges. Superb unctuous finish with fine patina.

Weight: 121 grams
Dimensions: Length 14.5 cm

Note two finely drilled, minuscule pits indication that an original intention may have been to embellish this cup, which was especially popular for Mughal agates during the earlier 18th century. Also note the similarity of the finely cut and faceted lip and foot to earlier agates from the Ming and Song dynasties.

Literature comparison: For related agate bowls and a cup and saucer, Yongzheng mark and of the period, from the National Palace Museum, see Harmony and Integrity: The Yongzheng Emperor and His Times, Taipei, 2009, pp.235-242, 244-245. For an agate lobed dish with an incised Shou character from the Palace Museum, Beijing, see Imperial Treasures from the Palace Museum, Shanghai Museum, 2006, pl.27.

雍正罕見瑪瑙杯
中國，十八世紀初。 薄壁，一頭尖，底足如形雕刻，平整。瑪瑙石中可見藍色及帶狀天然紋理。

來源：英國私人收藏.
品相：品相極好，輕微天然裂紋，邊沿処有小磕損。包漿潤澤。

重量： 121 克
尺寸： 長 14.5 厘米