Antique snuff bottles collectors guide
Fascinated by antique Chinese snuff bottles, the Western and Asian collectors have shown keen interest in them ever since they were first produced. The production of these bottles started during the Qing Dynasty in the 17th century after the Portuguese introduced tobacco in the court of Beijing. Initially these bottles were only made for the emperors of the court but slowly enjoyed by the mass, the production for the same increased in greater quantities. The mass also displayed their unique collection with proud and best snuff bottle possessed was considered class. These miniature bottles could easily fit in ones palm measuring about one and half to three and half inches. As years passed, these bottles showed different shapes such as in the beginning the bottles were painted in a way showing jesuits at court room and later the designs showed relationships between craftsman working at their imperial workshops.
These snuff bottles were made out of different materials such as jade, coral, agate, glass, wood, lacquer, stone and mixed media. See More Here:
1. Jade snuff bottles
The easiest and the most comfortable snuff bottles to handle were made out of jade. They were soft to touch and had a polish which gave luxurious look. These bottles are heavy to carry as jade is a material which has a good amount of weight. One can feel the difference when he picks other bottles made of different material.
2. Coral snuff bottles
Coral is an animal that has a hard shell and can be found on the coast. These animals were collected and dried to make bottles out of them. The coral bottle is sharp when touched and delicate as they break easily.
3. Animal carved snuff bottles
Chinese were found of animals and hence they begin carving animals on the snuff bottles. These animal carved snuff bottles have their own nature. If one wants to remove negativity from their life, they should purchase a bottle which has a rat carved on it as rat is considered as a goddess to cure evil. These carvings were done on various materials used for making snuff bottles.
4. Glass snuff bottles
For the ones who has gratitude towards hard work and salute to creativity, they should purchase snuff bottles made of glass which has paintings done from inside. The craftsman used to insert a very thin brush from the neck of the bottle and paint within.