A chrysoprase dragon snuff bottle

[PeterH]

I have found chrysoprase snuff bottles difficult to come by. But the green colour is so appealing at least to to me. The height is 4.8 cm without the stopper. I am estimating early 20 C and welcome feedback on age. Am not sure but think the top is pink marble. The spoon is wooden. The bottle has been reasonably well hollowed.

[Wattana]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for sharing. I can't say I have ever seen a chrysoprase snuff bottle before. Brilliant colour - the green equivalent of "shocking pink"! And the stopper compliments it perfectly. From the overall shape and carving style, I would tentatively date the bottle to 1960s onwards. But that's just my opinion - let's see what others have to say.

Tom

[George]

Beautiful bottle ... Love the color as well Peter..

I think Tom is right for dating..

Since I had not seen one before, checked for some archived auctions and found a couple.

Dated 20th century
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/23335955_a-chinese-chrysoprase-double-snuff-bottle

Dated 1860/1920
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5639795

[PeterH]

Thanks for the feedback.

I have to admit to owning the double chrysoparase snuff bottle referenced by George. I was prepared to go much higher at the auction and not dissapointed when it arrived. It (the double one) has overall more uniform colour and higher grade. I have a third which I had made up to my own design before I eventually got the other two. This was to some degree out of frustration at not beeing able to get one for a long time. I will photograph and present it in the next few weeks.

Best wishes to all Peter

[PeterH]

Please George when you have referenced the double chrysoprase snuff bottle the age range is stated as 1860 to 1920. This does not appear on the description on the link. It is very well hollowed and nicely finished suggesting early 20C at latest. Which auction data base provided the date range or must I take my hat off to you ? It was certainly not the auctioneer.

Thanks for the age information. Peter

[George]

My mistake and corrected it in the previous post Peter..

I had the dates switched for the links..

The correct description is within the auction listing for your twin was 20th century....

[Wattana]

Interesting links George,

The double bottle certainly looks older, and could date to 19th century.

However, in 40 years of collecting snuff bottles these are the very first I have ever seen. I wonder if Joey has seen any. Logic tells me that, with perhaps a few rare exceptions, bottles made of chrysoprase are post-1950s, along with bottles made from other non-traditional materials such as tiger's eye, labradorite, boulder opal, etc.

Tom