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Snuff bottle

Snuff bottle

  • Place of origin:

    China (made)

  • Date:

    1750-1909 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Chalcedony, with dark brown inclusions and decoration deeply carved in relief

  • Credit Line:

    Salting Bequest

  • Museum number:

    C.1745-1910

  • Gallery location:

    In store

  • Download image

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.

Physical description

The bottle is an ovoid flattened flask form with no stopper.
It is made of chalcedony, honey-coloured with white shading and dark brown inclusions, with decoration deeply carved in relief.
The carved deocration depicts a bird on a prunus tree and boy holding a prunus flower, the scene framed by rocks. On the reverse there is a figure and toad in a rocky place; clouds overhead.
The bottle does not have a foot but instead a flat oval base.
A heavy bottle.

Place of Origin

China (made)

Date

1750-1909 (made)

Artist/maker

unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Chalcedony, with dark brown inclusions and decoration deeply carved in relief

Dimensions

Height: 6.2 cm

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

White, Helen. Snuff Bottles from China. London: Bamboo Publishing Ltd in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1992. 291p., ill. ISBN 1870076109.

Materials

Chalcedony

Techniques

Carving

Subjects depicted

Bird; Flowers (plants); Boys; Rock; Prunus; Toad

Categories

Containers; Personal accessories

Collection code

FEC

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Qr_O8438
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