Snuff Bottle thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Snuff Bottle

1780-1895 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Snuff Bottle
  • Stopper
Brief description
Scu, China, carving, jade

Scu, China, carving, jade
Physical description
The bottle is an ovoid form, slightly flattened with a flat-topped stopper.
It is made of nephrite jade, white, with decoration carved in very low relief and a stopper of coral.
The continuous design depicts prunus and magic fungus.
The bottle does not have a foot but instead a flat base.
Dimensions
  • Height: 6.1cm
Style
Credit line
Salting Bequest
Object history
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.
Summary
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.
Collection
Accession number
C.1612&A-1910

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Record createdJuly 20, 1998
Record URL
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