Chinese carved amber snuff bottle, 18th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
18th century
This Chinese snuff bottle, dating to the 18th century, is skillfully carved from amber. The bottle features a classic vessel form with the shoulders applied with sculptural lion mask handles.
The piece is surmounted by a fitted coral stopper. The amber body displays a rich, translucent quality typical of the material, which has been worked to create its smooth, bulbous silhouette. It measures 8.2 centimeters in height, reflecting the refined craftsmanship intended for the storage of powdered tobacco or medicinal herbs. The inclusion of decorative animal masks at the sides is a characteristic motif found on such vessels during the Qing dynasty.
This object represents the intersection of functional utility and artistic expression, utilizing organic materials valued for their color and texture in historical Chinese decorative arts.
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
- Height
- 8.2cm
- Material
- amber, coral
Design
- Motifs
- lion mask handles
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.