Early 20th Century Vintage Opaline Beijing Glass Snuff Bottle

Description

The opaline glass bottle with multifaceted sides served two purposes. The first one was to hold snuff ( residuals of … more The opaline glass bottle with multifaceted sides served two purposes. The first one was to hold snuff ( residuals of the powdered snuff can still be seen at the opening.) The second purpose was to provide a surface to mix snuff, which could be done on the round flattened surfaces on both sides. The round surfaces also have a reference to the full moon. That I read somewhere. As a formerly trained art historian, I know we can make references and be quite convincing. But I think I like the idea of the functionality of the bottle. This bottle probably blown into a mold that had the facetted sides. The body slightly tapered to a flat foot. It is matched with a lightgreen jade like or a light green chalcedony stopper. The silver disk supporting the stone is well made and appears to be old work.

This interesting shaped bottle was probably made in the 1920's when collecting snuff bottle was popular but obviously it was used at one time. less