A Natural Amber 'Pebble-shaped' SNUFF BOTTLE, Qing Dynasty, 18th/19th Century

Snuff Bottles

$1,250

Material

AMBER

Color

Amber brown

Origin

China

Age / Period

1750-1860

Dimensions

Height: 1.42 inches (4.8cm), not including the stopper, Width: 1.80 inches (4.5cm), Thickness: 1.16 inches (3.0cm)

Condition

Estate / Pre-owned

A Natural Amber 'Pebble-shaped' Snuff Bottle, Qing Dynasty, 18th/19th Century This is a fine, 18th/19th century , Pebble-shaped, irregular form Snuff Bottle with a small round hole on top of its triangular body, and with a natural flat triangular base. Made of a natural amber, which is thought to be another form of Jet, with dark irregular inclusions. The bottle is well-hollowed, with thin walls, of very light material that weights only 1 ounce. The bottle is translucent, with a dark amber color. It has a smooth and lustrous surface. Photo #2 shows the bottle's inclusions when a light is shined on it. Photo #3 shows how its color turns blue-green when shined with an ultra-violet light, thus confirming the authenticity of the material. It comes with an amber stopper. "The use of small, or miniature bottles was very popular in the early decades of the 18th century. They were used as container for gifts of snuff. so as to limit the amount of snuff that would be distributed to guests or the person being treated with the gift. They were also used as containers for rare or precious snuffs. In social circles, it might have served as a status symbol; just flashing a miniature bottle was a subtle way of showing others that one had the ability to judge among the finest grades of snuff" As stated by Hugh Moss and Stuart Sargent in their book: "The Marakovic Collection". A similar form snuff bottle was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong for 50,000 HKD ($6,440) on 26 May 2014, Lot 126. See photo #9 An amber pebble-shaped snuff bottle of similar size, but carved with gourds, illustrated by Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, *A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection*, Vol, 7, Hong Kong, 2009, no. 1593, was sold at Bonham's Hong Kong, 28th May 2010, lot 113. Bottle Measurements Height: 1.42 inches (4.8cm), not including the stopper Width: 1.80 inches (4.5cm) Thickness: 1.16 inches (3.0cm) Weight: 1 ounce