AN OCTAGONAL AGATE MEDICINAL MORTAR, CHINA, MING DYNASTY (1368–1644) OR EARLIER

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AN OCTAGONAL AGATE MEDICINAL MORTAR, CHINA, MING DYNASTY (1368–1644) OR EARLIER Expert’s note Agate mortars were highly prized in ancient China for the preparation of medicines, particularly for finely grinding harder ingredients of the traditional materia medica. The exceptional hardness, density, and low porosity of agate made it particularly suitable for this purpose, allowing substances to be reduced to a fine powder while minimizing contamination from the grinding vessel itself. Yet the choice of material was evidently not purely practical. In the present mortar, the craftsman has taken full advantage of the natural beauty of the stone, with its translucent gray body traversed by amber-colored bands, crystalline passages, and dark inclusions. Thus, an essentially utilitarian implement was transformed through the inherent variegation of the agate into an object of considerable aesthetic appeal. China. The thick, shallow, octagonal bowl with faceted sides, gently rounded to the interior, supported on a broad, flat base and rising to a level rim. The translucent stone of a pale gray tone, dramatically variegated with amber-colored bands, crystalline areas, and dark speckled inclusions. Dimensions: Diameter 10.8 cm Literature comparison: For related agate objects, dating to the Liao dynasty, see Refined Cultural Relics from the Exhibition of the Civilization of the Liao River Valley, Liaoning Provincial Museum, page 176. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 5 October 2016, lot 3702 Estimate: HKD 400,000 or approx. EUR 52,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the octagonal form and material. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Galerie Zacke, Vienna, 1 March 2024, lot 33 Price: EUR 1,690 or approximately EUR 1,800 after inflation, calculated at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related octagonal form, shallow rounded interior, faceted exterior, and translucent variegated agate. Note the near identical size (10.4 cm diameter).

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