Message #43640

[rpfstoneman]

All,

Just to clarify.  The three agate bottles posted by Cathy are relatively new in my opinion; i.e., post 2000 to present.  These are currently being made by the droves in China (presumably).  There are a few select dealers on ebay that are listing this type of bottle for sale 10 to 20 at a time.  They have also been showing up at secondary/minor auction houses in recent years.  Some are of very good quality both in material and workmanship, and are worth collecting in my opinion, just as you would collect a modern interior painted bottle.

Giovanni, yes there is a concern that such bottles may be electronically carved partially by machine, but I'm not going to jump to that conclusion quite yet.  If I am going to pay $60 to $200 US for the raw stone material as a mineral collector, I'm more than willing to pay the same for nicely carved bottle made from the same material.

Also, it comes down to finishing of the interior.  Is it just well hollowed with obvious drill marks or is it well hollowed with smooth contoured walls and polished.   

Charll