Early 20th Century Chinese Painted Glass Snuff Bottle – Quail & Flowers – 7cm – Three-Character Mark
Early 20th Century Chinese Painted Glass Snuff Bottle – Quail & Flowers – 7cm – Three-Character Mark
A charming early 20th century Chinese painted glass snuff bottle, decorated with a pair of quail nestled among grasses and bright blooms. The bottle’s soft milky white opaline glass provides a beautiful ground for the delicate hand painted scene, and the base bears a three-character red mark.
Snuff bottles were once an essential personal item in China, prized for both function and artistry. Today they make wonderful collector’s pieces, display objects for a cabinet of curiosities, or a thoughtful gift for lovers of Chinese art and decorative antiques.
Details
- Material: Opaque/opaline glass, painted decoration
- Height: approx. 7 cm
- Base: Three-character red mark
- Stopper: Included (cork shows age-related wear; see photos)
Condition: Vintage condition with expected signs of age. The cork appears perished/fragile and may benefit from replacement. Please review photographs closely and feel free to ask for additional images.
Origin: China
Time Period: Early 20th century (c. 1900–1930)
Historical Context
Historical Context
Snuff (powdered tobacco) was introduced to China in the 17th century and became fashionable at the Qing court. Because snuff was kept dry and dispensed in tiny pinches, small bottles with tight stoppers and little spoons became both practical items and collectable miniature artworks. By the late Qing and into the Republic era, snuff-taking declined but snuff bottles continued to be produced for gifting, collecting, and export, often in glass, porcelain, and hardstone.
Quail are a longstanding Chinese motif and are often associated with peace and good fortune (the word for quail, ānchún, echoes ideas of “peace/settledness” in visual pun traditions), making this a popular decorative subject for personal objects.
Delivery Information
Delivery Information
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