Snuff bottle, China, 1821-1860
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1821-1860
Snuff bottle, China, 1821-1860 is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated 1821-1860. The museum's brief description reads: Scu, China, carving, chalcedony.
Museum description: The bottle is a flattened wide bulbous form with short flared neck and no stopper. It is made of chalcedony, yellowish-grey, with carved decoration. The decoration depicts a pine tree and bamboo, enclosed in an ogee-shaped panel. On the reverse there is a pine tree and a pavilion enclosed in a similar panel. The low foot is solid underneath. The enclosure of the decoration in a ogee-shaped panel and the shape of the bottle suggest that it was made during the Daoguang period (1821-50) or slightly later.
The museum record gives material recorded as chalcedony; measurements Height 5.7 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
- chalcedony
- Dimensions
- Height 5.7 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Chalcedony with carved decoration
- Place recorded
- China
Identification
- Museum object name
- Snuff bottle
- Museum object number
- C.1600-1910
- Museum system number
- O8422
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.