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

I came across a few bottles and I was thinking about purchasing a few of them but figured some advice of the forum wouldn't hurt.

First one was described as an agate bottle but it looks more like Jasper to me. Any thoughts? The style also seems consistent with some other 18th/19th bottles I have seen.

This red glass bottle of a flattened round shape was interesting to me because of the very wide mouth, nice polish, and vibrant color. I'm thinking this is possibly early 18th palace workshops. Any thoughts?

This enamel on porcelain bottle I am a little undecided on age. Any thoughts?

Hi Matthew...

Say, myself and other senior members think it best to not give values on bottles still on the auction block.. There are so much interest conflict there if the bottles are still on the market.

Nothing personal, so please do be sure to share any of these you might win ! 
http://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/index.php/topic,3184.0.html

These aren't for sale through auction anyway, private seller. Not looking for value just confirmation of thinking about age.

Morning Matthew...

Your looking good for aged bottles..

I believe the first moss agate bottle can be 19th.. Are either of the oval panels even slightly concaved (http://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/index.php/topic,1030.0.html) into the bottle ?

The ruby red glass is 19th... Nice !

As is the famille verte porcelain 19th too..

While driving I was thinking about how I used famille verte instead of the correct famille rose..

Upon arriving home, Giovanni was quick to remind me !

I believe the first moss agate bottle can be 19th.. Are either of the oval panels even slightly concaved (http://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/index.php/topic,1030.0.html) into the bottle ?

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Thank you for the insight.  Doesn't look concave from the pictures but I'll request some additional ones.

Mathew,

In my opinion the best bottle among the three is the thin walled ruby red glass piece.   This bottle has a glow about it.  One explanation for the glowing red color is provided by Raymond Li in his 1981 book on Snuff Bottle Terminology, Part I, Glass-Agate-Quartz.  Collectors in the past termed this color as “golden-red” glass.  Many collectors and dealers considered this translucent golden red glass to be a superior color, for they believed there was a certain ingredient or amount of pure gold added to the glass mixture.  When added to red glass it made plain red glass look more attractive.  This may be one of those types of glass bottles.  These thinned wall class bottles of superior of color with the accompanying thin wall glass throats and wide mouths are considered the finest in this plain glass category.
 
Bottles of this style that have a more rounded (i.e., more circular) body were considered to be made in the 18th century.  Given the shape of the shown bottle with its lower shoulders (i.e., more pear shape), I would suspect this to be a more contemporary 19th century bottle. 

If you do not purchase this bottle let me know the source, for I most certainly would be interested in acquiring it.

Charll     

I am with Charll on the second one. it does look good to me for a 18th bottle.

Steven

Dear Matthew,

     I feel this one is  18th C. (ca.1750-1800) and Palace Workshops, rather than 19th C. as George and Charll seem to think.
Great example.,
Joey

I'd argue jasper as well, and ca. 1780-1850.
A beauty.
Joey

Thank you everyone for your input. I fortunate enough to purchase all 3 bottles as well as a number of others, which I'll share as well.

Dear Matthew,

    Congratulations! If the others are as good as these, you are well on your way to starting a very good collection of
genuine Chinese snuff bottles.
Best,
Joey

Also purchased this nice overlay bottle.

Blue Overlay Glass Bottle with 'Five Monkeys' Theme. 5.5 Cm height. I have seen this theme quite a few other times but never on an overlay bottle. Thoughts on age? I'm thinking 18th.

Carved agate with leaves, pears, and butterflies. 5.5 cm height. I just felt this one had very good carving and polishing. I'm thinking 19th but really no idea on age, school etc...

Meiping Vase Blue & White Porcelain with branches of peaches, pomegranate etc.. 6 cm height. This one has a Kangxi mark on the base but obviously is later.

Dear Matthew,

If you have bought, hopefully the price is not too high.

First two are not 18th or 19th. Third bottle, Meiping shape is correct but not KangXi mark and not early too.

Cheers,
YT

YT is correct ..

Matthew,

I am in agreement with YT and George on the last three bottles posted, all are quite modern.  The porcelain bottle is likely the newest of the three.  Be wary of porcelain bottles with matching porcelain stoppers.  These are almost always new.

Charll

Seems I still have a lot to learn as a novice. Luckily I didn't pay too much for the bottles. Any hints to correct my mistakes on these particular bottles would be appreciated.