A MINIATURE MOSS AGATE CUP, EARLY QING DYNASTYChina, late 17th - 18th century. The thick-walled cup with deep rounded sides supported on a short spreading foot with concave base, the translucent stone of a pale gray tone with dark green dendritic inclusions.Provenance: British trade.Condition: Good condition with minor wear. Few small chips and losses to foot and handle have been smoothened over centuries. The stone with natural fissures, some of which have developed into small hairline cracks over time.Weight: 47.2 gDimensions: Length 6.2 cmThis cup would have been made primarily as an ornament rather than for use. Although agate is a tough and durable material, it is prone to crack when subjected to sudden and significant changes in temperature. Also, when worked to give fine edges or thicknesses, it is easily chipped or cracked when knocked. With this in mind, finely worked agate vessels that survive undamaged are umon.Auction resultparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Christie’s New York, 15 September 2011, lot 1408Price: USD 23,750 or approx.EUR 30,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A moss agate brushwasherExpert remark: Note the related size (5.6 cm)清初微型苔蘚瑪瑙小杯中國，十七世紀末至十八世紀。深圓杯，厚壁，高圈足，淺灰色調的半透明瑪瑙帶有深綠色苔蘚狀紋理。