Chinese Snuff Bottle Discussion Forum 中國鼻煙壺討論論壇

Dear All,

I would like to share with you a nice glass bottle with fine mask and rings handles.

It measures 5.5 cm.

Warmest Regards,

Marcos

(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2FGlass%2520mask%2FDSC09014_zpsggttshby.jpg&hash=3b763e0710491b37c1a8e3643ced8b04) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/Glass%20mask/DSC09014_zpsggttshby.jpg.html)
(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2FGlass%2520mask%2FDSC09015_zpsgsjq79sv.jpg&hash=afdb99645d3a98eb19538a4e7246ca34) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/Glass%20mask/DSC09015_zpsgsjq79sv.jpg.html)
(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2FGlass%2520mask%2FDSC09016_zpss7gqjsdi.jpg&hash=04932ab0fc12b072375fc570ea007740) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/Glass%20mask/DSC09016_zpss7gqjsdi.jpg.html)
(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2FGlass%2520mask%2FDSC09019_zpsshqyub4x.jpg&hash=d0780e541ca437178d128e82f8d5f033) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/Glass%20mask/DSC09019_zpsshqyub4x.jpg.html)
(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2FGlass%2520mask%2FDSC09020_zpskknsbnry.jpg&hash=7be75b525487f0731372f67b231fa8a8) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/Glass%20mask/DSC09020_zpskknsbnry.jpg.html)
(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2FGlass%2520mask%2FDSC09021_zpsq2cba1ok.jpg&hash=52279000b3458b246051542885a479b8) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/Glass%20mask/DSC09021_zpsq2cba1ok.jpg.html)
(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2FGlass%2520mask%2FDSC09023_zps4go6fg09.jpg&hash=2a07756d96cd7c6e3c8d4a1769c41328) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/Glass%20mask/DSC09023_zps4go6fg09.jpg.html)
(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2FGlass%2520mask%2FDSC09024_zpseksjdxj7.jpg&hash=22a992cbdb2649849fcb5035b3dad1ba) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/Glass%20mask/DSC09024_zpseksjdxj7.jpg.html)
(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2FGlass%2520mask%2FDSC09025_zpsqw6keozx.jpg&hash=d592a1609beaa6f2de67136e87ddb29e) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/Glass%20mask/DSC09025_zpsqw6keozx.jpg.html)
(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2FGlass%2520mask%2FDSC09022_zpsitnv0rur.jpg&hash=9091fc4de736c5f321929f171fa16fcc) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/Glass%20mask/DSC09022_zpsitnv0rur.jpg.html)

Hi Marcos,

Are you sure its a glass bottle instead of a agate bottle, it does look like agate to me.


Steven

I agree with Steven. If this is glass it is an amazing copy of agate...

Dear Pat and Steven,

I was quite sure it was agate untill I did a specific gravity test and got approximately 2.3 whereas Agate's SG should be 2.65.

I just realized the photos are not very good. I will try getting better pictures tomorrow.

Best Regards,

Marcos

Dear Marcos,

Specified Gravity of 2.3 is lower than glass.

It could be soapstone. It will still feel cold like glass with very low hardness rating and almost zero porosity.

Cheers,
YT

Dear Marcos,
 
      The operative word in your explanation is "APPROXIMATELY"!   ;D  ;) ::)
That sure looks like Agate to me, though I agree that YT's point that it could be Soapstone could
have merit. But does Soapstone ever have markings which are so close to Agate (Chalcedony)?
In any event, it looks like a fine bottle!
Best,
Shabbat Shalom,
Joey

Dear joey,

Think you are right. I did see inclusions in soapstone but not sure about agate markings.

Cheers,
YT

Dear YT,

     I have a sneaking suspicion that the 'approximate' SG will turn out to be the culprit, and it is Agate (Chalcedony).
Best,
Shabbat Shalom,
Joey

Just goes to show that experience and a good eye is as good as SG.  Trust instincts until proven otherwise ...

Dear Marcos,

    Re.dating  of the bottle. I would say it is a very nice example from ca.1870-1911, or basically the Guangxu reign.
Best,
Shabbat Shalom,
Joey

Hello Gents,

I am sorry it took me a while to comment, I had issues with my work computer (it happens everytime with those damned automatic updates).

I also was pretty sure it was agate, but since I saw no inclusions nor flaws and the bottle was too well-hollowed, I decided to do a SG test.

Now, my apparatus is very crude, so I am aware results are not very reliable. I show below how I got to this result:

1) I weigh the bottle "in the air":

(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2FGlass%2520mask%2FDSC09026_zpsdykrcoqi.jpg&hash=fd9188bd76375837d9def690cb271b19) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/Glass%20mask/DSC09026_zpsdykrcoqi.jpg.html)

2) Zeroed the scales to account for the hanger's weight:

(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2FGlass%2520mask%2FDSC09028_zpsinare7ca.jpg&hash=108ceac92fd443c4765c42dff6cedbf1) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/Glass%20mask/DSC09028_zpsinare7ca.jpg.html)

3) Submerge the bottle on water (I make sure the bottle is full so there is no trapped air:

(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2FGlass%2520mask%2FDSC09029_zpswijmqlgt.jpg&hash=05921be6f064ab098f7db80337b5fc64) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/Glass%20mask/DSC09029_zpswijmqlgt.jpg.html)

(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2FGlass%2520mask%2FDSC09030_zpsrrqz4h2p.jpg&hash=4b66d64c8189f5107511865c0664cb91) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/Glass%20mask/DSC09030_zpsrrqz4h2p.jpg.html)

I insert the numbers in the specific gravity equation:

SG = Weight in the air / (Weight in the air - weight in the water);

SG = 46 / (46 - 27) = 2.42;

I have this bottle I am positive it is agate...

(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2FGlass%2520mask%2FIMG_20160415_173037907_zpspw36afzn.jpg&hash=7b06eead53063a80d854df025f2f8097) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/Glass%20mask/IMG_20160415_173037907_zpspw36afzn.jpg.html)

...so I tested it as well to make sure there are no major flaws in the experiment. The result was 2.67, which is right for agate.

Dear YT,

I am sorry in the early post I mentioned 2.30. It was a typing mistake.

Hi Joey,

Thanks a lot for dating the bottle.

Shabat Shalom!

Dear Marcos,

     I want you to know that the glass agate imitation you have is one of the best I've ever seen! It fooled most of us.

     At this moment, I feel a bit like the young man in Lawton OK, USA, who was interviewing for a job.
He was asked by his fellow Oklahoman interviewer, "What do you think of Texas?"
His answer? : " There are only two things in Texas - Football Players and Whores!"
The older man said, "My wife is from Texas."
And he replied, "And which Football Team did she play for, Sir?"   :-[   ;) ;D

    I would call the second bottle Carnelian or Honey Agate, depending on whether it is a reddish orange or a golden yellow in colour.
Best,
Shavua Tov,
Joey

Dear Marcos,

Mystery solved and no apology needed.
Even after seeing you diligently finding out your bottles, I'm yet to go back to my mess. This collection will take me forever.

Cheers,
YT