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Snuff Bottles as Art and Gifts
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Chinese Snuff Bottles
Snuff bottles used to hold snuff....
The use of snuff was originally confined to the upper class but eventually became a staple for all social classes. At this point, of course, the upper class had to somehow distinguish themselves and began to seek out the most beautiful, the most elegant, and the most unique snuff bottles.
A variety of snuff bottles exist today from the very affordable, mass-produced souvenir-type to complex, delicately decorated bottles that appeal to collectors. Snuff bottles have been made with porcelain, stone, wood, jade, ivory, and more, though the most popular material is glass. In addition to landscapes, it's possible to find many different motif designs on snuff bottles. Some examples are dragons, animals, women, and Chinese characters.
Learn more about snuff bottles at Wikipedia.
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Books About Snuff Bottles
Chinese Snuff Bottles: A Guide to Addictive Miniatures
This book clearly explains the history of snuff and its specialized bottles from the 17th century to the present in America, Europe, and China. For the novice, it provides fascinating background and descriptive information, and for the established collector it showcases over 650 diverse snuff bottles to study and admire through excellent color photographs.
Amazon Price: $51.06 (as of 07/09/2009) 
Chinese Snuff Bottles (Images of Asia)
Illustrated with twenty-four full-color and sixteen black-and-white plates, this book serves as a useful and entertaining introduction to the collecting of snuff bottles. After tracing the history of snuff in Chinese culture, Robert Kleiner surveys the many styles of snuff bottles, dividing them by materials and methods of decoration used.
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 07/09/2009)
Vintage Snuff Bottles on eBay
If you're looking for vintage snuff bottles, eBay is the place to start looking. At any given time, you can find dozens of beautiful snuff bottles made in many different styles and materials at reasonable prices.
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Inside Painted Snuff Bottles
The most popular type of snuff bottle
Buy this snuff bottle from Good Orient.
It has been told often that the origin of the inside painted snuff bottles came about by accident. In the Qing Dynasty, an official stopping at a temple found his snuff bottle empty, and thus, he decided to use a thin stick to scrape off the snuff gathered on the walls of the snuff bottle. This left lines that could be seen through his crystal snuff bottle. Later, a monk found his discarded snuff bottle, and the idea of the inside painted snuff bottle was born.
Today, inside painted snuff bottles are still made and are very popular among collectors. Take a close look at one and you'll notice that eyelashes and black lines must be painted in before the rest of the color is painted. Also, calligraphy must be written in reverse!
Popular Motifs on Snuff Bottles
Intricate designs on snuff bottles
Snuff Bottles with People
Buy these snuff bottles
$30.98 / $40.98
Snuff Bottles with Animals
Buy these snuff bottles
$16.98 / $27.98 / $16.98
Snuff Bottles with Birds
Buy these snuff bottles
$90.98 / $19.98 / $19.98
Snuff Bottles with Landscape
Buy these snuff bottles
$40.98 / $19.98 / $19.98
Snuff Bottles with Dragons
Buy these snuff bottles
$16.98 / $19.98 / $19.98
Snuff Bottles on Amazon
Best Unique Birthday Gift Idea for Mom - 9" Chinese Oriental Shadow Box Wall Art - Green Snuff Bottle
9" x 9" - Ming Era Style Fine Porcelain Snuff Bottle w/ Detailed Dragon Design Pewter Fittings, Beautifully Finished Kiln Dried Hard Wood Frame & Fine Silk Matte w/ Archaic Chinese Calligraphy, Professionally Matted & Tacked in Elegantly Appointed Shadow Box Presentation - Ready to Hang
Amazon Price: $69.99 (as of 07/09/2009)
Popular Materials for Snuff Bottles
Photo of different kinds of snuff bottles
Take a look at the picture above, and you'll find snuff bottles made from many different materials. Can you identify jade, wood, porcelain, stone, glass, ivory, lacquer, amber, and more? Image used here under Creative Common licensing. Original Image
Snuff Bottle Links
More information, photos, collections
- International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society
- Great resource to find dealers and experts on snuff bottles. Also lists schedule for national snuff bottle conventions.
- Asian Art Mall
- Great resource for snuff bottles. Also has introductory descriptions for several different snuff bottle techniques such as color overlay.
- Robert Hall's Snuff Bottle Collection
- Homepage of a well-respected snuff bottle collector and expert. He is also one of the leading dealers in the world.
Are you a fan of snuff bottles?
What do you think about snuff bottles? Are they not beautiful pieces of miniature art? Leave a message here! Also, you can rate this lens at The Isle of Squid or even submit your own lens there.
Thanks for visiting this page! If you liked it, please take some time give props to this page by giving this lens a star rating at the top of the page. If you aren't a Squidoo member, you'll have to join Squidoo before you can rate. Thanks again and leave me if note, if you'd like.
JewelryCollectibles wrote...
Very nice lens. Gave you 5 stars and added you to my group. Keep up the good work!
Posted September 09, 2008
ChristiannaGarrett-Martin wrote...
These are cool! Great pics too :)
Christianna.
Posted September 05, 2008
CleanerLife wrote...
I had never heard of these snuff bottles before, but they do look beautiful. Quite the unique gift idea.
Posted September 04, 2008
