Chinese Hand-Carved Banded Agate Figural Snuff Bottle Depicting a Woman Cradling a Child

Chinese Banded Agate Mother & Child Snuff Bottle | Hand Carved

This beautifully hand-carved Chinese snuff bottle transforms a naturally banded piece of agate into an expressive figural sculpture. Rather than simply decorating the stone, the artisan skillfully incorporated the agate's natural color zoning into the composition, allowing the cream, gray-blue, and warm brown bands to define the flowing robes, folded sleeves, and graceful silhouette of a woman gently cradling a small child.

The matching agate stopper completes the composition, forming the figure's head and creating a harmonious sculptural design. Careful examination of the carving reveals finely engraved facial features on the child, delicately carved hands, and thoughtful use of the stone's natural patterns to create movement and depth throughout the piece.

The bottle retains its original carved agate stopper with cork and an organic spoon, believed to be bamboo or another natural plant material. Measuring approximately 3 inches high by 1.75 inches wide and 1.25 inches deep, it weighs 118.46 grams.

Scenes depicting an adult caring for a child have long been favored in Chinese decorative arts as symbols of family, protection, blessing, and the continuation of the family line. While the specific identity of the figure cannot be confirmed, the composition evokes the warmth and tenderness that made such subjects enduring favorites among Chinese lapidary artists.

A wonderful example of Chinese hardstone carving that combines the beauty of natural agate with thoughtful artistic design, making it equally appealing to collectors of Asian decorative arts, snuff bottles, and carved hardstone sculpture.

Item Details

Origin: China

Date: Mid-20th Century (circa 1950–1970)

Material: Natural Banded Agate

Subject: Woman Cradling a Child (Figural)

Stopper: Matching carved agate stopper with cork and original organic spoon

Dimensions: 3" H × 1.75" W × 1.25" D

Weight: 118.46 grams

Condition: Very good vintage condition. Displays beautifully with expected light wear consistent with age and careful handling.

One of the hallmarks of fine Chinese hardstone carving is the artist's ability to work with the natural colors and patterns of the stone rather than against them. In this example, the flowing bands of the agate become an integral part of the composition, giving life and movement to the carved figure while ensuring that no two pieces could ever be exactly alike.

• Art Medium = Banded Agate Stone

Note: This item has been inspected and appraised by a GIA Graduate Gemologist NAJA Appraiser.

Diamond origin is tested using a GIA iD100 Gem Testing Device. Unless indicated otherwise, all diamonds are to be considered natural, earth-mined diamonds. All man-made, laboratory-grown, laboratory-created, or synthetic diamonds are well marked on the price tag as well as in the website description.

All diamond and gemstone grading is done under GIA standards as the mounting permits. All gemstone weights and measurements are approximate. Unless otherwise stated, colored gemstones may have commonly used clarity and color enhancing treatments per industry standards.

Prospective buyers should note that all jewelry we sell is 'used' and will likely have some amount of wear, we warranty that the item will be essentially as we have described it, but no other warranties are expressed or implied, and all items are sold 'as is'.