Snuff bottle, 1840-1895
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1840-1895
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.
The bottle is a heart shape submerged by carved decoration. It does not have a stopper. It is made of amethyst, purple, with carved decoration. The carving depicts a chi dragon and magic fungus; there are clouds on the reverse. It has a very small flat base with a slightly curved indentation underneath and no foot. A small jewel-like snuff bottle.
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
- Dimensions
- Height: 4.8 cm
- Materials and techniques
- Amethyst carved in relief
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- China
Identification
- Candidate id
- vam-O8799
- Museum object number
- C.1865-1910
- 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.