Snuff bottle, carved chalcedony and agate, China, 1780-1895

People generally carried snuff in a small bottle. The bottle is a squarish flattened flask form curving inwards slightly at the base and with rounded shoulders. It has an irregular dome-shaped stopper. The bottle is made of chalcedony and agate, brown with a greyish white area and dark brown skin, carved in relief. The stopper is of green glass set in metal.

The carved relief depicts two horses, one with its head down; the other with its head turned back and one hoof raised. There is an inscription reading 'Envy their friendship in enjoying a drink at a running brook'. The foot has an indentation underneath. The dark brown skin is used for the carving of horses and the inscription; there is little background carving and the reverse is left plain. Bequeathed by Mr. George Salting, accessioned in 1910.