Snuff bottle, China, 1750-1880
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1750-1880
Snuff bottle, China, 1750-1880 is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated 1750-1880. The museum's brief description reads: Transparent glass snuff bottle, with overlay of pale red glass carved in relief, China, 1750-1880.
Museum description: The bottle is an elongated flattened pear form with no stopper. It is made of transparent glass with overlay of pale red glass carved in relief. The decoration depicts one large, one medium-sized and two small fish in water amidst weeds with a lotus leaf, a flower and a pod. Near the neck is a wavy line to represent the surface of the water. The high foot is formed by a ring of red glass overlay. This bottle is comparable with C.1567-1910 and 438-1880 in terms of its materials and shape, but the carving is of better quality.
The overlay decoration forms a continuous design around the bottle. The museum record gives material recorded as glass; measurements Height 8.7 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 8.7 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Transparent glass with overlay of pale red glass carved in relief
- Place recorded
- China
Identification
- Museum object name
- Snuff bottle
- Museum object number
- C.1565-1910
- Museum system number
- O8040
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.