AAA Gem Snuff Bottles that are not easy to find - Sharing photos

[guest537]

For your viewing pleasure

Boulder Opal
Mawsitsit
Rhodinite
Rhodocrosite
Ocean Jasper
Ruby and Zoisite

[George]

I like the Rhodinite that seems to be carved like a turtle shell.. It is nicely done. The others, with the exception of the mawsitsit are so , so.. Not very good grade materials.  I did buy a mawsitsit bottle from you.. It was lovely !

One thing I noticed on a bottle you sent me pics of via email is that it appears likely one person carved the bulk of the bottle ( the canvas ), and another carver did the cameos. I say that because the lapidary who did the bottle paid extra close attention to details that we look for no matter if old or modern.  Recessed and beveled mouth, along with wonderfully finished foot rims.  All done to perfection.  Then the carver who did the cameo did not do nearly as quality a work in regards to leaving a nice finish.  I think the second carver did not do justice to the overall canvas he was given. Just an observation..

[guest537]

It is hard to say. These bottles sat 10 years in China. I only negotiated to get them about 6 months ago. The guy I know may have passed away. In the past 15 years, I have seen their bottles improve, and the price go up 7 - 10 times. The bottles are rare because of the stone. The carving is overall OK. But its not like working with Agate.Agate gives you perfection. Tiffany stone, is hard and soft layered. Not many people can cut it into a bottle without cracking. Jaspers tend to be soft. There is a buyer for every bottle, they will find a home as all my collectibles will I am liquidating. Just a matter of time. Its not about money, I am clearing out the load of stuff I have to keep up with. This includes guitars, old paintings, carvings, and other kinds of collectibles.

[George]

Speaking of mawsitsit..  Here is a mis identified bottle that I believe is mawsitsit.  Good grade, just to bad such a nice piece of mawsitsit was carved so poorly.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221974192874?_trksid=p2060353.m2763.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司]

Dear Monkongmee,

    In the first illustration, the last bottle looks like Opal, but you've listed first! Any way you can number the materials  1-6, so we know which name fits which photo? It would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Joey

[George]

Dear Monkongmee,

    In the first illustration, the last bottle looks like Opal, but you've listed first! Any way you can number the materials  1-6, so we know which name fits which photo? It would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Joey

Actually, it is a lot more fun, and can spend more time on a single bottle in a single topic without the continuity being broken with comments for other bottles in the same thread.