Chinese carved ruby glass snuff bottle with lotus pond motif, 19th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
This Chinese snuff bottle, dating to the 19th century, is crafted from ruby-colored glass. The exterior of the bottle is intricately carved in relief, featuring a continuous scene depicting a lotus pond.
The vessel is surmounted by a fitted coral stopper. It is presented with a decorative wood stand. Measuring 7.7 cm in height, this piece represents a traditional form of personal accessory used for carrying powdered tobacco. The design emphasizes the fluidity of the lotus motif wrapping around the rounded body of the glass, highlighting the craftsmanship involved in cameo-style glass carving typical of the period. The inclusion of organic materials such as coral for the stopper highlights the traditional attention to detail in high-quality Qing dynasty examples.
This bottle reflects both utilitarian and decorative purposes common to the era's sophisticated snuff-taking culture.
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
- 7.7 cm
- Material
- ruby glass, coral, wood
Design
- Motif
- lotus pond
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.