RARE FIND | 19TH CENTURY CHINESE AGATE GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE.
A beautiful little survivor from the golden age of Chinese snuff culture.
This rare 19th-century Chinese snuff bottle has been expertly crafted from striking marbled glass designed to imitate natural banded agate, a highly prized material in traditional Chinese decorative arts. The swirling shades of smoky grey, black, and soft white create the illusion of polished stone, while allowing the wonderful translucency of glass to shine through when held to the light.
What makes this example especially desirable is that it still retains its original stopper complete with the attached spoon — a feature so often lost over the last century and a half. The warm amber-coloured stopper provides a beautiful contrast against the monochromatic body and adds an elegant finishing touch to the piece.
During the Qing Dynasty, snuff bottles were both practical objects and status symbols, carried by scholars, merchants, nobles, and officials. They quickly evolved into miniature works of art, with craftsmen competing to create increasingly beautiful and imaginative designs.
Despite its small size, this bottle possesses wonderful presence and charm, making it equally appealing to collectors of Chinese antiques, snuff bottles, and decorative curiosities alike.
A tiny treasure carrying over a century of history in the palm of your hand.
Measurements :The snuff bottle measures 7cm x 5cm and weight of 63 grams.
