Snuff bottle, quartz and glass, China, 1870-1895

People generally carried snuff in a small bottle. The bottle is a flattened flask form narrowing towards the base, with grooved sides and a two-part irregularly shaped stopper. The bottle is made of quartz, mauve, with carved decoration; the stopper of glass coloured pink to imitate rose quartz and yellow glass. The decoration consists of a large stylised character, perhaps fu meaning happiness, and a curved key pattern border above.

There is the same design on the reverse. On each shoulder, two confronted bats forming holes for hanging, with archaic scroll above. The high angular foot has a high angular indentation underneath. The decorative effect is angular and geometric. This, together with the large character (which here is oddly difficult to read) suggest that this is a late bottle, perhaps made with a foreign market in mind. Bequeathed by Mr. George Salting, accessioned in 1910.