Chinese snuff bottle, jasper conglomerate, with lapis lazuli and carnelian, Qing Dynasty; 1750-1895.
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1750-1895
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. 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.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 2
- 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
- Dimensions
- Height 5.7 cm bottle only
- 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
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- China
Identification
- Candidate id
- vam-O8745
- Museum object number
- C.1709-1910
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked single-object source. Wider type attribution and authenticity have not been independently verified.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type and source attribution against specialist references.