What makes a snuff bottle valuable?

An imperial glass snuff bottle can be acquired for under $3,000, while superb and rare examples can range from tens of thousands to over a million dollars. Imperial, 18th-century bottles with reign marks and made for imperial use, tend to achieve the highest prices at auction.

What is an antique snuff bottle?

Snuff bottles were used during the Qing Dynasty to contain powdered tobacco. Smoking tobacco was illegal during the Qing Dynasty, but the use of snuff was allowed because the Chinese considered snuff to be a remedy for common illnesses such as colds, headaches and stomach disorders.

What do the dots on the bottom of snuff bottles mean?

One explanation is strength, one is that they are vent holes to release air from the mold & another is that the bottles were filled before the labels where added, the dots help identify what type of snuff needs to go in that bottle.

How old are Chinese snuff bottles?

Snuff bottles were effectively only in use for around 300 years—a very small period within the 5000+ year history of Chinese art. Though small, collectors today appreciate snuff bottles for their beauty, rarity, cultural significance and superb craftsmanship.

What is Qianlong mark?

Qianlong seal marks tend to be written or incised, and can be executed in underglaze blue, iron-red, or gilt. Both guanyao and minyao pieces can bear these marks, and what separates the two is the quality of the porcelain and the finesse of the decoration and the mark.

What is a snuff glass?

“Snuff glasses became a common fixture in many households, even if the owner was not a user of the product they contained. Bruton, Buttercup, Tuberose, Dental Scotch were some of the many brand names. Snuff glasses were of clear glass, fluted on the inside for strength and appearance.

What was snuff used for in the old days?

The taking of snuff helped to distinguish the elite members of society from the common people, who generally smoked their tobacco. It was also during the 18th century that an English author and botanist, John Hill, concluded nasal cancer could develop with the use of snuff.

What was snuff made of in the 1800s?

During the 18th century, snuff taking became widespread throughout the world. At first, each quantity was freshly grated. Rappee (French râpé, “grated”) is the name later given to a coarse, pungent snuff made from dark tobacco.

What is Chenghua mark?

The chenghua mark was used extensively on late C19th chinese crackle glaze wares, and on Japanese porcelain (not as fakery, but as emulation or respect) and of course on modern copies coming out of Jingdezhen factories now.