Snuff bottle, China, 1750-1895
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1750-1895
Snuff bottle, China, 1750-1895 is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated 1750-1895. The museum's brief description reads: Glass snuff bottle, whitish-transparent, with overlay of blue glass carved in relief, with stopper of yellow glass with a red bead, China, ca.19th century. Museum description: The bottle is a rounded flattened flask form with a two-part dome-shaped stopper. It is made from glass, whitish-transparent, with overlay of blue glass carved in relief. The stopper is of yellow glass with a red bead, probably glass. The carved relief forms a continuous design of the Eight Immortals, six of them in a boat being towed by a mule, with a demon-like attendant, perhaps the Pig Fairy; on the rocks above, Shouxing and a monkey, each holding a peach; bamboo and pine growing from the rocks. The foot is formed by overlay, with angular indentation underneath. The museum record gives material recorded as glass; measurements Height 5.8 cm; place associated: China. These details come from the holding museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
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.
Historical context
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.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- glass
- Dimensions
- Height 5.8 cm
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- China
Identification
- Museum object name
- Snuff bottle
- Museum object number
- C.1530&A-1910
- Museum system number
- O8242
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 materials, dimensions, maker and wider type against the museum record and a specialist reference.