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

Snuff Bottle

1750-1895 (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, agate
Physical description
The bottle is a flattened flask form, narrower towards the base, and with sloping shoulders. It has a two-part dome-shaped stopper of turquoise and coral.
It is made of agate, with banding of white, grey and several shades of brown, with carved details.
The carving depicts branches of prunus blossom and there are masks and mock ring handles on the shoulders.
The foot is faceted with a high angular indentation underneath.
The decorative effect lies chiefly in the natural markings of the stone; the prunus decoration is carved in a monochrome area.
Dimensions
  • Height: 5.7cm
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.
Subjects depicted
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.
Bibliographic reference
White, Helen. Snuff Bottles from China. London: Bamboo Publishing Ltd in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1992. 291p., ill. ISBN 1870076109.
Collection
Accession number
C.1874&A-1910

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Record createdJuly 30, 1998
Record URL
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