Blonde agate snuff box, China, 1750-1860 Of rectangular form with rounded shoulders, carved in high relief in an opaque ochre vein of a game table, a qin, a scroll painting and a book, symbolizing the Four Arts siyi - 四藝 of the Chinese scholar. The reverse side is without decoration, it is very well hollowed out. Height : 6 cm A small defect on the base of the heel. The Chinese scholar was a scholar and artist, his classical training included the study of the Four Arts: mastery of qin (stringed instrument - 琴), qi (the Weichi strategy game - 棋), shu (Chinese calligraphy - 書) and hua (Chinese painting - 畫). 1750-1860 - 黄玛瑙浮雕" 四艺 "图鼻烟壶