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: White semi-opaque glass snuff bottle with an overlay of red glass, carved in relief, China, ca.19th century.
Museum description: The bottle is an oval flattened flask form with a particularly wide neck hole and narrow neck walls. It does not have a stopper. It is made of white semi-opaque glass with an overlay of red glass carved in relief. The decoration depicts two crabs among rushes, one seizing a plant with its claws. On the reverse is a crab seizing a plant with its claws, a lotus leaf and a bubble. A continuous lotus leaf rises from the base of the bottle, forming the sea bed and suggesting waves.
The high foot is formed by the overlay with angular indentation underneath. The decoration forms a complex pun: er jia chuan lu, ('Two suits of armour [crabs] through the rushes') also means 'First place in the Second Class of the jinshi degree' (Zhongguo Jixiang Tu'an, p. 478). The carving is of good quality. The museum record gives material recorded as glass; measurements Height 6.2 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 6.2 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- White semi-opaque glass with an overlay of red glass, carved in relief
- Place recorded
- China
Identification
- Museum object name
- Snuff bottle
- Museum object number
- C.1669-1910
- Museum system number
- O8134
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.