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 | |
Materials and techniques | Carved rock crystal with a stopper of coral set in gilt metal |
Brief description | Chinese snuff bottle,carved rock crystal, decoration depicts lotus and aster plants, Qing Dynasty; 1740-1909. |
Physical description | The bottle is slightly flattened cubic form with short cylindrical neck. It has a gradated dome-shaped stopper. It is made of rock crystal, transparent, with the interior surface frosted white, with carved decoration; the stopper of coral set in incised gilt metal. The front and reverse surfaces of the bottle have a poem inscribed in cursive script; the two side surfaces have lotus and aster plants respectively; the incised decoration on the metal mount of the stopper suggests foliage. The oblong foot has an angular indentation underneath. The elegant and novel shape of the bottle contributes much to its decorative effect. The stopper incorporates half a coral bead. |
Dimensions |
|
Style | |
Marks and inscriptions | poem (cursive; both sides of bottle; inscribed) |
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.1626-1910 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | August 5, 1998 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest