| Over a good many years we have created, | | | | material, particularly the jade being highly |
| though I say it myself, quite an important | | | | prized. The chalcedony or quartz bottles once |
| Snuff Bottle Collection. My wife, thank | | | | 'Eggshell thin' show up remarkable markings |
| goodness, shares my interest in these little | | | | formed from the formation of the |
| bottles, but perhaps I should warn you, | | | | crystals.FROM FLAWS TO PICTURESEveryone I am |
| collecting anything is a bit like a bug, once | | | | sure can appreciate such bottles, as the |
| caught, it is with you for ever and can be | | | | lovely shapes and purity of the stone just |
| quite an obsession!Have you ever searched for | | | | cannot fail to impress. What I find even more |
| pebbles or shells along the sea shore, | | | | fascinating is the amazing way they |
| selecting them for either colour or shape and | | | | deliberately, brilliantly took advantage of |
| found an appeal in handling them, so much so, | | | | flaws and inclusions often present in the |
| that you simply could not throw them away? If | | | | stones.Most quartz and jade stones have an |
| so, you have the makings of a dedicated | | | | outer layer of a different colour, |
| collector.Part of the pleasure of owning | | | | particularly the pebbles from the riverbeds. |
| these snuff bottles is the tactile appeal | | | | They also have faults and flaws plus other |
| found in handling them.BOUNDLESS | | | | coloured material, often deep in the stone. |
| POSSIBILITIESThere is also such a vast and | | | | Sometimes these can be very thin skin-like |
| diverse number of collecting possibilities. A | | | | inclusions, in others large blobs are |
| collection could be based on any of the great | | | | found.The problem is no one knows just what |
| Chinese fine arts and in each field it would | | | | is in the rock until, as the cuts are made, |
| be possible to have really important fine | | | | the secrets of the stone are revealed. It is |
| examples in this form of miniature works of | | | | with this type of material that 'Picture |
| art.There are collections based on jade and | | | | agates' are made. The best of these |
| hard stone carvings, others prefer glass and | | | | incredible snuff bottles look as if the |
| 'overlay glass', or Chinese porcelain, or | | | | inclusion, that forms the image, has appeared |
| enamels and cloisonne, or you might like to | | | | in just the right place as if to order!There |
| base a collection on Paintings.I can imagine | | | | are different types of work within this group |
| how you find it hard to perceive a collection | | | | of bottles and the first ones are what we |
| of snuff bottles based on Chinese paintings | | | | call 'Cameo' carvings. These take advantage |
| but they exist. Remarkable signed landscape | | | | of an outer skin or a blob type of inclusion; |
| scenes and even portraits with superb | | | | they can be quite thick and are carved in |
| calligraphy (often poems) have actually been | | | | relief. Another type is called 'Shadow |
| painted on the inside of glass and even stone | | | | Agates' and these take advantage of markings |
| snuff bottles.Some collections feature | | | | in the bottle where, with the help of a |
| uncarved bottles of rare stones, or lacquer, | | | | little carving, an image is created. Lastly, |
| or amber and ivory. Most collections consist | | | | the most fascinating ones are called |
| of the collector's favourite subject but | | | | 'Silhouette Agates' but in this group no |
| include a variety of other treasured bottles. | | | | apparent carving is required. The image is |
| There are collections that use as a theme; | | | | achieved mainly by the angle and choice of |
| animals, or a colour such as 'Imperial | | | | shape, as well as the size and position of |
| yellow', or blue and white, and as there are | | | | the bottle to be formed out of the rock. |
| so many possibilities, no two collections | | | | These bottles have to be seen to be |
| ever look the same.INTERNATIONAL | | | | believed.What is really mind blowing to me is |
| CONNECTIONSFor anyone considering buying | | | | the fact that some of these bottles have |
| snuff bottles I should explain that it is an | | | | pictures on both sides!Sadly, few of them |
| international pursuit. There is even an | | | | were signed. We only know that there was a |
| 'International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society' | | | | certain school of carvers known as the |
| with a large and active membership. Having | | | | 'Suzhou School'. Their works are easily |
| been members over a long period we have found | | | | recognised by the style and quality of the |
| that fellow members are such interesting and | | | | carving, plus the fact that they make use of |
| friendly people.There is a bond between a | | | | every mark in the stone to form the picture. |
| collector that leads to friendship, until we | | | | They are amazing bottles when good, but there |
| meet in the auction rooms that is! It is well | | | | are later works that tend to look too stiff |
| worth joining, as there is a very | | | | and the carving lacks the more fluid artistic |
| informative, quarterly magazine, full of good | | | | touch of the master carvers. Unfortunately, |
| colour photographs. Information is | | | | hardly any of these bottles are really well |
| surprisingly, freely shared amongst members | | | | hollowed.OUR FIRST SNUFF BOTTLESo to describe |
| and by the specialist dealers. So much can be | | | | my first purchase, this was a 'Shadow Agate |
| learned this way, in fact far more than just | | | | picture bottle' involving a little carving, |
| by studying the many very fine, beautiful | | | | and very well hollowed. It is a most |
| books on the subject.DANGEROUS | | | | appropriate subject and colour for a Snuff |
| TEMPTATIONSMost people's first encounter with | | | | Bottle because the russet inclusions have |
| these snuff bottles is likely to be at | | | | been used to show 'Putai Ho-Shang'. He is |
| antique shops, auctions or antique fairs, | | | | always depicted as a very corpulent man with |
| otherwise in a museum or perhaps by meeting a | | | | a bare chest and abdomen and he is the patron |
| collector. Once seen, certain people are | | | | saint of tobacconists. In this bottle he |
| tempted when next coming across a bottle to | | | | appears surprised by a bat whilst sitting |
| buy, but all too often these first purchases | | | | below some tobacco leaves. The bat to the |
| are of very poor quality. Later on, having | | | | Chinese is a good luck symbol. You can see |
| acquired more knowledge, these first bottles | | | | how easily he appears, nicely placed within |
| so often prove to be disappointing. They | | | | the bottle yet only his head and a suggestion |
| often can turn out to be very costly | | | | of his hand have been carved. (See the |
| mistakes. Unfortunately, there are far too | | | | photograph by using the link at the bottom of |
| many very poor bottles about, some are even | | | | this article).We now own a number of 'Picture |
| brand new, made to cash in from the | | | | Agates' and to illustrate the different types |
| collecting craze. Even an article like this | | | | described, the photograph of the duck with |
| one can cause someone to go and buy without | | | | lingzhi fungus in its beak is a good |
| sufficient knowledge, I do hope not.My advice | | | | 'Silhouette' example. Incidentally, the |
| is that apart from joining the society, | | | | fungus is a symbol for wishing long life. |
| attend some snuff bottle auctions and visit | | | | This bottle is very unusual as there is a |
| some of the specialist dealers.When you go to | | | | recess carved originally to create the image |
| the auction rooms be sure to go on the | | | | that serves as a built in dish. (See the |
| viewing days, usually one or two days before | | | | photograph by using the link at the bottom of |
| the sale. The first impression will probably | | | | this article).Lastly, a superb bottle of |
| be one of disappointment as there will be | | | | fishes with pictures on both sides: the pair |
| lots of poor quality snuff bottles and to see | | | | of fishes are 'cameo' carved and to the |
| so many all lying down, behind glass, is not | | | | Chinese represent fidelity and happy conjugal |
| the best way of presenting them.Be sure to | | | | rights in marriage. On the other side a fish |
| select a few that appeal to you and ask to | | | | and aquatic plants make use of every mark in |
| inspect them. You will then be given a chance | | | | the stone, all this on a well shaped bottle |
| to handle some, and that is when the magic | | | | that is very well hollowed. All these bottles |
| can begin. I do not know how to explain what | | | | illustrated were made between 1750 and 1860. |
| happens, but there is something of a tactile | | | | (See the photograph by using the link at the |
| pleasure that is only obtained from handling | | | | bottom of this article).ASSESSMENTTo |
| a good piece.OUR COLLECTIONI should point out | | | | effectively judge hard stone carvings, the |
| that our first bottle did not immediately | | | | first consideration should be concerned with |
| grab my attention. Surrounded by many | | | | the overall artistic impression. You need to |
| beautiful and more colourful snuff bottles of | | | | be satisfied that the work looks well |
| all shapes and sizes in a dealers display | | | | composed and well positioned and that the |
| cabinet, this brown and beige coloured bottle | | | | images formed are flowing rather than stiff |
| looked rather drab. Eventually, I came round | | | | and awkward. The next stage is to have a |
| to inspect it and before too long I knew that | | | | closer look at the technical skills. When I |
| I had to buy it.Only another collector can | | | | look at a cameo type of carving I study the |
| fully appreciate that overpowering urge that | | | | shape and finish of the background, close to |
| comes over one, it is the closest feeling to | | | | the edge of the carving. On poorer bottles |
| that of love at first sight. I have been told | | | | this can be indented, uneven and not so well |
| that one's pupils tend to enlarge, and this | | | | polished as the rest. Really fine examples |
| is one of the signs that dealers watch out | | | | look as if the raised cameo part has simply |
| for, and as collectors, of course, we always | | | | been glued onto a beautifully formed bottle. |
| try desperately to camouflage our interest. | | | | Engraved work at its best is very precise and |
| This snuff bottle was purchased, which is | | | | provides the detail. When closely looking at |
| still a favourite, and it has formed the | | | | a poor bottle the engraved parts can look |
| basis of our collection.Our collection | | | | very crude.Beware, amazing glass imitation |
| included many types of snuff bottles but | | | | stone bottles exist. To check for these use a |
| features mostly hard stones, known as | | | | magnifying glass and look for tiny bubbles or |
| 'Picture Agates', each one of these being a | | | | pin size holes on the surface. As a last |
| unique piece, as there can never be two | | | | resort if still in doubt, a penknife will |
| alike. To fully appreciate these snuff | | | | easily scratch the base if it is glass, |
| bottles I need to tell you more about how a | | | | whereas a stone will not be marked.In |
| stone bottle was made. All good early snuff | | | | evaluating the value of all artwork a careful |
| bottles were made to be used and they needed | | | | check for any damage is essential. With stone |
| to be small, yet capable of holding plenty of | | | | bottles the following points should help. |
| snuff, not too heavy as they were carried on | | | | Firstly, assess how well the bottle has been |
| their person, often in the sleeve. All these | | | | hollowed by holding it up to the light. |
| bottles were designed to feel comfortable in | | | | Inspect the stone from all angles in the |
| the hand and were sealed with a cork, to keep | | | | light and with light from behind. If the |
| the snuff at its best.In Europe hinged boxes | | | | stone is cracked it will be visible often as |
| were used but perhaps the humidity in China | | | | a star shape from the point of impact. Some |
| caused them to prefer bottles with corks. All | | | | stones have natural flaws that are not |
| snuff bottles have a stopper on to which a | | | | cracks. I then have a good look at the foot |
| cork is fixed, and at the other end of the | | | | rim and the neck of the bottle, as these |
| cork is an ivory spoon. These stoppers rarely | | | | areas are the most susceptible to damage. If |
| matched the bottles other than in size and | | | | none is apparent I consider the proportions |
| shape. It was a matter of personal choice as | | | | to make sure neither has been ground down to |
| to what type and colour was considered best | | | | remove a chip.When inspecting the neck as |
| to go with the snuff bottle.WELL HOLLOWED | | | | viewed looking down into the bottle the top |
| BOTTLESStone bottles were carved in a large | | | | surface should be concave, not flat. Bottles |
| variety of shapes but always with a fairly | | | | that have had the neck repaired to remove any |
| small opening in the neck normally about 5mm | | | | damage are always flat, and you can be sure |
| in diameter. Just imagine a lump of quartz | | | | no longer original.SNUFF BOTTLES WERE |
| rock that is quite impossible to scratch even | | | | USEDThere is one other criterion that I |
| with your stainless steel penknife, yet in | | | | personally believe is important. Most of the |
| the 18th century this was carved into a | | | | best stone bottles were made between 1750 and |
| bulbous shaped bottle.Next it was drilled | | | | 1860, although many poor bottles have been |
| through the neck and hollowed out through | | | | made since then, right up to the present day. |
| this small hole, so that even difficult areas | | | | These late bottles were not really made for |
| such as the shoulders of the bottle are | | | | use, and some are referred to as 'Cabinet |
| really thin. Fine bottles are so well | | | | Pieces' and can fairly easily be identified. |
| hollowed that they look more like blown | | | | They are poorly hollowed, if at all. Some |
| glass, and are aptly described as 'Eggshell | | | | just have a drilled hole in them and so they |
| Thin'. Should you place them in a bowl of | | | | feel far too heavy. They also tend to be very |
| water they will trap enough air to | | | | showy in choice of materials, with |
| float.Although I have mentioned that drilling | | | | impractical rather high and sharp carving |
| was used, the information available about the | | | | that feels most uncomfortable in the hand. |
| manufacturing methods is incredible, as the | | | | There are others so delicately carved that |
| drill and cutting discs were foot operated | | | | one instinctively knows that they could not |
| 'Heath Robinson' affairs. However I do | | | | survive actual use. It is only possible to |
| believe after many years experience, they | | | | make these judgements by comparison. |
| acquired more control and feel than is | | | | Experience is needed and takes time to |
| possible with modern electronic equipment | | | | acquire.SMALL IS BEAUTIFULThere are |
| (essential in working on jade as certain | | | | advantages in collecting very small items as |
| parts of the stone can easily fracture whilst | | | | they are not too obtrusive and can easily be |
| other areas are very hard).Most of the | | | | locked away. This is very important if your |
| carving was achieved by grinding with jade, | | | | partner does not share your interest! They |
| gem stone, sand and other abrasive particles. | | | | can also make a beautiful display without |
| First by drilling and then hollowing out by | | | | completely disrupting your home.Try to be |
| carefully grinding away with special | | | | certain that you really are enthusiastic |
| file-like tools. These tools were made by | | | | about collecting before you buy one. Once you |
| hammering metal shapes over the abrasive | | | | place one in your home and it looks so small |
| particles that once embedded, were easily | | | | and appealing, it is only a matter of time |
| bent to reach the most awkward parts.The | | | | before you will come to the conclusion that a |
| Chinese appreciated these wonderful stone | | | | little group of bottles will look so much |
| snuff bottles and they were fashioned from | | | | better. This tends to play on one's mind and |
| many types of stone, the purity of the | | | | that is how we all get hooked! |