Snuff bottle, glass, China, 1723-1795
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1723-1795
People generally carried snuff in a small bottle. The bottle is a flattened faceted form. It has a three-part dome-shaped stopper with a knob. It is probably made of glass, tawny brown with dark brown veining. The stopper is of yellow glass, brown glass and white glass in the shape of a seed pearl. The surfaces are of a smooth matt texture rather than being highly polished and glossy. The bottle has a flat hexagonal base and no foot.
Mineralogical analysis of this bottle does not show a correlation with any natural substance, and therefore it is believed to be made of glass. If so, it is a very sophisticated imitation of stone and is unusual in having a matt rather than highly polished surface. Bequeathed by Mr. George Salting, accessioned in 1910.
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
- Material
- glass
- Dimensions
- Height: 6.0 cm
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- China
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- vam-O8641
- Museum object name
- Snuff bottle
- Holding institution
- Victoria and Albert Museum, London
- Museum object number
- C.1724&A-1910
- Museum system number
- O8641
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, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.