A MINIATURE MOSS AGATE CUP, EARLY QING DYNASTYChina, late 17th - 18th century. The thick-walled cup with deep rounded sides supported on a short spreading foot with concave base, the translucent stone of a pale gray tone with dark green dendritic inclusions.Provenance: British trade. Condition: Good condition with minor wear. Few small chips and losses to foot and handle have been smoothened over centuries. The stone with natural fissures, some of which have developed into small hairline cracks over time.Weight: 47.2 g Dimensions: Length 6.2 cmThis cup would have been made primarily as an ornament rather than for use. Although agate is a tough and durable material, it is prone to crack when subjected to sudden and significant changes in temperature. Also, when worked to give fine edges or thicknesses, it is easily chipped or cracked when knocked. With this in mind, finely worked agate vessels that survive undamaged are uncommon. Auction result comparison: Type: RelatedAuction: Christie’s New York, 15 September 2011, lot 1408Price: USD 23,750 or approx. EUR 30,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A moss agate brushwasher Expert remark: Note the related size (5.6 cm)清初微型苔蘚瑪瑙小杯中國，十七世紀末至十八世紀。深圓杯，厚壁，高圈足，淺灰色調的半透明瑪瑙帶有深綠色苔蘚狀紋理。 來源：英國古玩交易。 品相：品相良好，輕微磨損。足部和手柄處微小的磕損已因爲時間而變得平滑。石料具有天然裂隙，隨著時間的推移，其中一些已經發展成細小的髮絲狀裂紋。 重量：47.2 克 尺寸：長 6.2 厘米 這個杯子主要是作為裝飾品而不是用來使用。 雖然瑪瑙是一種堅韌耐用的材料，但當溫度突然發生顯著變化時，它很容易開裂。此外，邊緣也很容易在敲擊時碎裂。 考慮到這一點，能夠完好無損地保存下來且做工精細的瑪瑙器皿並不常見。 拍賣結果比較： 形制：相近 拍賣：紐約佳士得，2011年9月15日，lot 1408 價格：USD 23,750（相當於今日EUR 30,500） 描述：苔蘚瑪瑙筆洗 專家評論：請注意相近尺寸 (5.6 厘米)。