{"product_id":"antique-chinese-carved-agate-covered-vase-w-13-link-integral-chain-late-qing-to-republic-dragon-handles-as-is-w-restoration","title":"Antique Chinese Carved Agate Covered Vase w\/ 13-Link Integral Chain | Late Qing to Republic | Dragon Handles | AS-IS w\/ Restoration","description":"A finely carved antique Chinese agate covered vase in archaistic bronze \u003cbr\u003eform, featuring a fully articulated 13-link integral chain — cover, \u003cbr\u003echain, loose rings, and vessel all freed from a single piece of agate. \u003cbr\u003eA scholar's-object-grade piece for collectors of Chinese hardstone \u003cbr\u003ecarving, offered with full and honest disclosure of condition.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e✦ DETAILS\u003cbr\u003e- Material: Natural agate (玛瑙), warm honey-amber tones with translucent \u003cbr\u003e  caramel and grey-white banding; visible micro-crystalline structure \u003cbr\u003e  characteristic of authentic hardstone (not synthetic or glass)\u003cbr\u003e- Form: Faceted vase of archaistic fang hu (方壶) shape with domed cover\u003cbr\u003e- Decoration: Taotie (饕餮) mask panels on body, banana-leaf bands at \u003cbr\u003e  shoulder, archaistic scrollwork on cover\u003cbr\u003e- Handles: Four dragon-head handles, each with a loose carved ring\u003cbr\u003e- Chain: 13 hand-carved interlocking links connecting cover to body — \u003cbr\u003e  fully articulated, all freed from one stone\u003cbr\u003e- Period: Late Qing Dynasty to Early Republic Period \u003cbr\u003e  (Late 19th to Early 20th Century, c. 1880–1920)\u003cbr\u003e- Origin: China\u003cbr\u003e- Dimensions: 5\" H × 4\" W × 1.3\" D (12.7 × 10.2 × 3.3 cm)\u003cbr\u003e- Weight: 346 g (12.2 oz)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e✦ CONDITION — PLEASE READ CAREFULLY\u003cbr\u003eThis piece is offered AS-IS with the following honest disclosure:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  – The protruding lower portion of one dragon-head handle (the most \u003cbr\u003e    fragile part of the carving, where the loose ring threads through) \u003cbr\u003e    shows two visible repair lines. The repair is well-executed, \u003cbr\u003e    structurally stable, and barely perceptible to the touch. \u003cbr\u003e    See dedicated condition photo.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  – All other elements are intact and original:\u003cbr\u003e      • The vessel body — no breaks, no repairs\u003cbr\u003e      • The cover — intact and seats properly  \u003cbr\u003e      • The 13-link chain — all original, all freely movable\u003cbr\u003e      • All four loose rings — original, all freely movable\u003cbr\u003e      • The remaining three dragon-head handles — intact, no repairs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  – Natural inclusions, micro-crystalline banding, and minor surface \u003cbr\u003e    wear consistent with age are inherent to the stone.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe price reflects the disclosed restoration. Please review all photos \u003cbr\u003eclosely — including the dedicated condition photos — and message with \u003cbr\u003eany questions before purchasing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e✦ AUTHENTICATION NOTES\u003cbr\u003eClose examination of the interior under raking light reveals a \u003cbr\u003ecombination of hand-craftsmanship features:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  – A central crescent-shaped protrusion at the base — the residual \u003cbr\u003e    \"core\" left by hand-operated tube drilling\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  – Concentric horizontal grooves on the interior walls from a \u003cbr\u003e    bow-driven rotary tool\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  – Dark sediment in the recesses around the drill core — residue \u003cbr\u003e    of the original abrasive sand (解玉砂, jieyusha) used in carving\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  – Interior surfaces remain in their original tooled state, unpolished\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese features are consistent with traditional Chinese hand-carving \u003cbr\u003etechniques used prior to the widespread adoption of electric lapidary \u003cbr\u003etools in the mid-20th century.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e✦ NOTE ON CRAFTSMANSHIP\u003cbr\u003eCarving an integral chain from a single block of agate is one of the \u003cbr\u003emost demanding techniques in Chinese hardstone work — each link must \u003cbr\u003ebe freed without breaking the adjacent ones. Despite the noted \u003cbr\u003erestoration to one handle's protruding detail, the survival of the \u003cbr\u003ecomplete cover-chain assembly with all 13 links and all four loose \u003cbr\u003erings intact is the most significant feature of this piece and \u003cbr\u003eincreasingly difficult to find in restored or unrestored condition.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e✦ PROVENANCE\u003cbr\u003eAcquired from a Pacific Northwest estate. From a smoke-free home.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e✦ SHIPPING\u003cbr\u003eShips carefully double-boxed with the chain padded and the cover \u003cbr\u003esecured separately. Signature confirmation and full insurance \u003cbr\u003eincluded. Domestic US shipping only.","brand":"SW Curated","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49080159633660,"sku":"ced_32022348476","price":3000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0736\/6053\/0940\/files\/il_fullxfull.7984685074_g452.jpg?v=1778301102","url":"https:\/\/swcurated.com\/products\/antique-chinese-carved-agate-covered-vase-w-13-link-integral-chain-late-qing-to-republic-dragon-handles-as-is-w-restoration","provider":"SW Curated","version":"1.0","type":"link"}