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: Transparent glass snuff bottle, thickly flecked with white, with an overlay of red glass, China, 1750-1895.
Museum description: The bottle is an oval flattened flask form without a stopper. It is made of transparent glass, thickly flecked with white, with an overlay of red glass carved in relief. The decoration depicts Zhong Kui, the Demon Queller, being rowed in a dragon boat by a monkey-like demon. On the reverse, his attendant demons doing tricks to entertain him, two standing, the third supported on their shoulders forming a bridge with its body, and the fourth astride the third, playing a pipe; pine, bamboo and magic fungus growing from rocks.
The low foot formed by overlay with an angular indentation underneath. Zhong Kui is particularly associated with the number five, since he is believed to be able to quell the five noxious creatures on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar. In South China, dragon boat festivals are held on the same day. Zhong Kui is here shown with five docile… The museum record gives material recorded as glass; 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
- glass
- Dimensions
- Height 5.7 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Transparent glass, thickly flecked with white, with an overlay of red glass, carved in relief
- Place recorded
- China
Identification
- Museum object name
- Snuff bottle
- Museum object number
- C.1652-1910
- Museum system number
- O8042
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.