Snuff Bottle
1750-1870 (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
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Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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Brief description | Scu, China, carving, agate Scu, China, carving, agate |
Physical description | The bottle is a rounded flattened flask form curving to a narrow base. It has a dome-shaped stopper. The bottle is made of chalcedony and agate, mushroom colour with patches of banding ranging from dark brown to white. The stopper is of glass coloured pink to imitate rose quartz. It has a small oval flat base with no foot. The decorative quality of the bottle is provided by the natural markings of the stone. It has snuff caked on the inside. |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Credit line | Wells Bequest |
Object history | Bequeathed by Arthur Wells, accessioned in 1882. 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. |
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 | 1634-1882 |
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Record created | July 30, 1998 |
Record URL |
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