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
Materials and techniques
Bottle: Jasper conglomerate known as 'pudding stone', Stopper: A lapis lazuli cabochon with a base of white chalcedony (distinct layers in opacity), and a finial of carnelian
Brief description
Chinese snuff bottle, jasper conglomerate, with lapis lazuli and carnelian, Qing Dynasty; 1750-1895.
Physical description
The bottle is a squarish flattened flask form curving inwards at shoulder and base. It has a three-part dome-shaped stopper with a finial.
The bottle is made of conglomerate stone; the stopper of carnelian, lapis lazuli and white agate or chalcedony.
The straight foot has a curved indentation underneath.
The decorative interest lies in the natural markings of the stone.
Dimensions
  • Bottle only 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.
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.1709-1910

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Record createdAugust 5, 1998
Record URL
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