Two Chinese Agate Carvings

Qing dynasty (1644-1912), 19th century, includes a carving of a crane or heron wrapped in lotus leaves and a small bottle also wrapped in tendrils surmounted with a cover of a baby bird, the agate is a translucent pale amber brown color with characteristic amber and milky white markings, both carvings are presented together with fitted carved wood stands.


Bird with stand 6 1/2 x 4 x 3 in.; urn with stand 5 x 3 3/4 x 3 in.

From the Collection of Helen Rindlbacher Ward, and by descent
Helen Rindlbacher Ward was born in Shanghai in 1936 to German parents, her father was one of the few foreigners who worked at the Chinese Aluminium Rolling Mills, Ltd company. Her family returned to Germany in 1955, and Helen moved to the United States in 1965 after marrying an Army officer. The Chinese artworks in this collection were all acquired in Shanghai during the 1930s-1950s.

Both with a few scattered nicks; the urn with crack to one branch, a few nicks to finial rim, and visible mounting material to bird's feet.