18th Century white jade pebble-form snuff bottle
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
18th century
This snuff bottle is fashioned from white jade in a natural pebble form, characteristic of 18th-century lapidary art. The stone exhibits a smooth, whitish tone throughout, accented with subtle, faint russet patches that add visual texture to its surface.
The entire vessel is finished with an attractive soft matte polish, which highlights the organic, curved silhouette of the jade. Completing the bottle is an ivory stopper, which has been intricately carved into the shape of a textured branch. Measuring 9.5 centimeters in length, the bottle reflects the aesthetic focus on naturalism, utilizing the original form of the mineral as the primary design motif. Its composition is simple yet sophisticated, prioritizing the quality of the stone and the tactile experience of the finish.
The inclusion of the carved ivory stopper provides a decorative, organic contrast to the minimalist, rounded body of the jade bottle, embodying the traditional craftsmanship of the period.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Length
- 9.5cm (3 3/4in)
- Material
- white jade, ivory
Design
- Form
- pebble
- Stopper motif
- carved branch
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.