Snuff bottle, blue glass, with an overlay of opaque white glass carved in relief, China, 1750-1909

The bottle is a rounded flattened flask form. It is made from dark blue glass, with overlay of opaque white glass carved in relief
The dome-shaped two-part stopper is made of pink glass and an imitation pearl.
The decoration depicts three figures at a temple, beneath a pine tree. On the reverse there are two old men on a bridge, one carrying a staff and a fly-whisk, the other a jar. Also depicted are rocks, prunus and bamboo. The neck of the bottle is covered by a solid band of creamy white overlay.
The foot is formed by an overlay which cradles the body of the bottle.
The white overlay against the dark blue ground gives a striking effect; prunus, pine and bamboo are known as the 'Three Friends of Winter' as pine and bamboo are evergreen and the prunus blossoms very early.

Salting Bequest

Bequeathed by Mr. George Salting, accessioned in 1910. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.

Snuff is powdered tobacco, usually blended with aromatic herbs or spices. The habit of snuff-taking spread to China from the West during the 17th century and became established in the 18th century. People generally carried snuff in a small bottle. By the 20th century these bottles had become collectors' items, owing to the great variety of materials and decorative techniques used in their production.

C.1677&A-1910