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 description
The bottle is a flattened ovoid form with a flared neck.
It is made of porcelain, moulded in relief with a reticulated surface forming an outer casing over an inner body, and covered with red enamel in imitation of red lacquer.
The flat upper surface of the neck-rim is gilded.
The relief depicts Taoist emblems and flowers, perhaps gardenias, on a ground of cloud scrolls. There are lappet borders around the base and the shoulder and a key-fret border around the neck. On the underside of the neck-rim and around the foot there is a line of dots.
The high stepped foot has a shallow curved indentation underneath.
There is a conscious attempt to simulate the decorative motifs as well as the colour and techniques typical of lacquer carving.
Place of Origin
China (made)
Date
1796-1820 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown
Materials and Techniques
Porcelain, moulded in relief, with a skin of red enamel and gilding
Marks and inscriptions
Jiaqing (1796-1820) mark in gold over the glaze.
under foot; painted
Dimensions
Diameter: 6.2 cm
Object history note
Snuff was found inside this bottle.
Descriptive line
Chinese snuff bottle, porcelain with a red enamel skin, decoration depicts Taoist emblems and flowers, Qing Dynasty; 1796-1820.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
White, Helen. Snuff Bottles from China. London: Bamboo Publishing Ltd in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1992. 291p., ill. ISBN 1870076109.
Materials
Porcelain
Techniques
Moulding; Gilding
Subjects depicted
Cloud scrolls; Key; Flowers (plants)
Categories
ELISE; Containers; Personal accessories; Ceramics
Collection
East Asia Collection