Essex Jewelry and Antiques

Set 11 Early 1900s Chinese Hand Carved Green Soapstone Cups Candle Holders

$540.00

Presented is a wonderful set of antique Chinese carved stone cups or candle holders with embroidered silk stands. These pieces date to around the first quarter of the 1900s. The cups are finely hand carved from light translucent green stone, with stunning interior banding and mottling. Our gemologist has tested the stone and it is either chalcedony or soapstone, unfortunately it's difficult to pin down specifically which but soapstone is pretty traditional. Either way, they are very striking, especially holding a tealight candle so the light shines through the stone. The stands are embroidered with colorful, traditional designs. As these are handmade pieces, some cups fit better in some stands, you may have to swap them around to get the right fit.

This set of cups is in great overall condition. Two cups have one very minor chip to the rim, but these are minor and not very noticeable. The rest are in great condition. The is some minor wear to the silk bases, but nothing excessive.

Each cup measures about 2 inches tall without the base, or about 2 3/8 inches tall with the base. The heights vary somewhat, as these are handmade pieces.

-jm