Snuff bottle, opaque white glass, China, 1750-1895
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1750-1895
People generally carried snuff in a small bottle. The bottle is a rounded flattened flask form made of opaque white glass, with overlay of light brown glass, carved in relief. The dome-shaped two-part stopper is made of jade and glass coloured to imitate rose quartz. The carved relief depicts two men, one of them perhaps a juggler, and a woman holding a tall rod.
On the reverse, the same three figures beneath a pine tree; the pine tree extends from rocks on one shoulder; on the other shoulder are rocks, clouds and the sun, which bears the character ri, 'sun'. There is no separate foot but the bottle is cradled by the brown glass overlay. The colour of the glass overlay is unusual. 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
- Opaque white glass with light brown glass overlay carved in relief
- Dimensions
- Height: 5.9 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-O8000
- Museum object name
- Snuff bottle
- Holding institution
- Victoria and Albert Museum, London
- Museum object number
- C.1683-1910
- Museum system number
- O8000
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.