Snuff bottle, China, 1760-1861
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1760-1861
Snuff bottle, China, 1760-1861 is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated 1760-1861. The museum's brief description reads: Scu, China, carving, jade Scu, China, carving, jade.
Museum description: The snuff bottle is an oblong flattened flask form with curved shoulders and a dome shaped stopper. It is carved from jade, green shading to brown and the stopper is formed from a half coral bead set in metal. Depicted is the alchemist Zhang Qian on his raft, with a crane, pine tree and water; a vase with magic fungus; a bottle gourd suspended from a branch and a cloud motif at neck. The reverse is plain except for waves and a prunus branch; masks and mock ring handles on shoulders.
The foot has an indentation underneath. The brown patches are used for the carved decoration, particularly the water, and the waves continue on the reverse of the bottle as far as the brown colour extends; the cloud motif incised at the neck disguises a mistake in the carving. The carving is dense and compact and forms an even surface on one side of the bottle. The museum record gives material recorded as jade, coral, metal; measurements Height 6.3 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
- jade, coral, metal
- Dimensions
- Height 6.3 cm
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- China
Identification
- Museum object name
- Snuff bottle
- Museum object number
- C.1721&A-1910
- Museum system number
- O7518
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.