Irregular, potato-shaped chalcedony “pebble” bottle, well-hollowed through a very narrow mouth. The silky-smooth exterior of this bottle has been shaped, or worn down over time, so that there are resting spots for fingers and the top joint of the thumb where a snuffer would naturally hold the bottle. The material, a mix of green-crème, serves as a canvas for the multitude of black and brown “ink-play” spots of varying shapes found within the matrix of the chalcedony at various depths. A light placed behind, or in the mouth of the bottle brings this microcosm of cloud-like formations, dripping ink shapes, and blowing leaves to life. The stopper, complete with bone spoon, has a well-crafted metal collar topped with a jadeite stem-shaped handle.
While jade pebble-bottles are relatively common, older pebble-bottles made from chalcedony are seen much less frequently. The interior is relatively well-hollowed and judging from the comfortable fit this bottle has when held, one can image that this bottle was a prized possession of the snuff taker who formerly owned it.
