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

Dear all,

I recently came across this interesting citrine glass bottle. I especially like its carving. Any comment on its age?

Best,
Samson

Nice bottle, and congratulations Samson !

The bottle which looks more like smoky quartz than citrine to me, is likely Early to Late 19th century..  The etching likely added during Mao Zedong period ..
http://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/index.php/topic,3033.msg40881.html#msg40881

Haha, George, I appreciate your congratulations but I didn't get this one...  :D But it just looks special to me!

Oops.. I just realised that I've posted two pics that are the same.. Here is a pic showing the other side of the bottle...

Hi Samson,

Nice bottle, That looks like a etched bottle instead of craved bottle to me tho.

I have seen a couple of this etched bottle before, always  think the etching is younger than the bottle, in other words, the etching was done later. just my 2 cents.

Steven

Never really thought of that Steven! Well that could be the case then... But even so I think the craftsman had done a great job etching it! In fact that's what draws me! :)

Samson,

This is one of those bottles were the auction house could have lead a would be buyer astray with a incorrect description of the bottle.  I too looked at this bottle; my presumption was that it is actually a smoky quartz bottle (old bottle) that was later machined etched.  So I agree with Steven on the etching part.  I do not understand why anyone would do such an extensive etch design on glass!!!!  A carved design yes, but this etching appears to be on a much harder surface than glass. 

Personally, unless the etching can stand out by viewing from across the room, I would have appreciated this bottle more in its plain unetched condition. 

Charll 

That's interesting Charll! That makes sense, how could they etch on glass? It'd have been too fragile to work on. The glass would have shattered before anything could be etched on.. So I am pretty sure there is a mispresentation by the seller. But it is nevertheless appealing. I don't know what standard it is compared to other etched bottles. This is the only one I've seen so far...

Hi Samson,

I agree with Charll - the bottle is far more attractive to me without the etching!!!  You see this kind of later etching done to older plain bottles. A real pity in my opinion. But since you were drawn by the etching.... that's what makes a horse race.  ;)

However, I think you are incorrect about not being able to etch on glass. Zhou Hongbin (周鸿宾), also known as Zhou Honglai, used to do micro calligraphy on one side of a glass bottle, and etch a "figures in landscape" scene on the other. He was active between 1900 and 1920. Of course, he used traditional hand tools, not modern high-power drills.

Tom

That bottle looks like smoke quartz to me  as well if its  its not difficult to repolish it back to a plain bottle . ;D

Always one to swim against the tide, I have to disagree with everyone else and say that as far as etchings go, that one is quite lovely. If the bottle were mine, I wouldn't touch it!

;)
Cathy

This type of etching on dark smoky quartz can be enhanced by filling with gold paste. As with black grisaille on white jade and glass bottles, it can be removed with a toothbrush if you don't like the effect.

Tom

[PS: Don't try this with the toothbrush you are currently using for your teeth....  ;) ]

Yeah I have to agree the etching doesn't enhance the bottle for me. Prefer the simplicity without. What kind of price did this bottle achieve in auction? I assume it's worth more without the etching?

That would make it look stunning!

Yes Cathy, but your 'swimming against the tide' based on ignorance, is equivalent to a tuna swimming in the opposite direction to the rest of the school, not realising that the school  is fleeing from a hungry shark!  ;D ::)
Joey

I'm with Cathy on this one, I like the later embellishment. However I don't think the bottle has been etched but engraved.