Cup or bowl, circular, thin-walled, short foot with a concave recess and a flared rim, translucent pale beige agate with brown markings, star-shaped crack near the base, India, 19th century

Cup, of circular form with thin walls and having a short foot with a concave recess and a flared rim. Fashioned in translucent, pale beige agate with occasional fine, dark brown markings. There is a six-rayed star crack near the base, which does not appear to have been caused by an impact since the fashioning process.

Wells Bequest

This cup or bowl was fashioned in India in the 19th century and it was acquired by Arthur Wells who was a Nottingham solicitor and Clerk of the Peace. He was a keen traveller and was made a Fellow of the Geographical Society. He is considered to be the first private British collector of Chinese jade and his collection of jade and other hardstone objects from South Asia was on exhibition at the South Kensington Museum at the time of his death in 1882. This collection was left to the museum in his will - the Wells Bequest.

This agate cup or bowl has been finely crafted with good proportions and an even, thin wall. It would have been intended for a wealthy or notable person. Although agate is a tough and durable material, when it is worked to a fine edge or thickness it is vulnerable to damage when subjected to stress or impact.

1592-1882