Chalcedony with silhouette of bird swooping

1750-185

5.3cm

Provenance

Estelle Chapman, London (1972)

 

Description

Chalcedony; with a wide mouth and supported foot rim of circular section with flattened edges, very well hollowed, a natural dark splash on one side in the form of a bird swooping with wings outstretched, the reverse for with an inclusion suggesting a mossy rock face reverse. 

The short neck and wide wings have the profile of an owl, launching itself into flight to chase an insect in flight above. Once again, the shape of the bottle plays a part, with the subtly elongated ovoid body containing the action.


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