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

Snuff Bottle

1750-1909 (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, chalcedony

Scu, China, carving, chalcedony
Physical description
The bottle is a flattened flask form. It is made of tawny brown chalcedony, with carved details.
The angular flat-topped stopper has an irregular indentation to one side and is made of pink shattered quartz set in metal.
There are masks and mock ring handles on shoulders.
The foot has a shallow indentation underneath.
The main decorative quality of the bottle lies in the rich colour and markings of the stone.
Dimensions
  • Height: 6.0cm
Style
Credit line
H. L. Florence Bequest
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.1227&A-1917

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Record createdJuly 29, 1998
Record URL
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