Snuff plates or saucers

[Pat - 查尚杰]

This has to be the rarest of the snuff bottle family.  I never mentioned it but I have been collecting these for a long time.  I only have about 50-60 (!!!) after all this time.  They dont even seem to make these in reproduction.  The old dealer in Suzhou I referred to several times told me a funny story (actually not so funny).  Because of the miniature size, these were broken very easily or lost/misplaced.  So after the snuff bottle era (post 1949), people would use them for all kinds of stuff, not knowing what they were exactly. Get this: condiments, bird food feeders... etc.. huhum...

They were used with the table size bottles of over 3 inches (the Manchu coat sleeves could not accomodate larger things, or they would wear the bottles around the neck).

Most of them are in porcelain (quite tough to find, if you do, about 75-100 USD a piece easily), some enameled (rare, 100-250 USD), and other material (very rare, 250 USD and up). 

They were made often in sets ... for table and multiple guest setting use.  Rare as hen's teeth!!!  Imagine a 1.5-2 inch small porcelain dish and its chances for survival after the uses described above!

[Peter Bentley 彭达理]

Hi  Pat

If  I am not  mistaken,   Jill and   Li Hui  have also been collecting these  of late.   Last  time  they  were  in HK  they  bought several  " saucers"  - or  something  like that  -   from  some  reputable  HK  antique  shops , but  I never   asked   what  they  were.  It never  occured to me  that  they  were  also for  snuff .

You  MUST  meet  Jill and  Li Hui    as soon as  you next come to  China. I think  you  will have a lot in common.

They  are  experts  in antique bottles as  well as  modern  IPBs , and  they    can probably advise  you  on the  true  value  of  many of the  older  bottles ( and  saucers!)  you  have  bought

Cheers  Peter

[George]

They were made often in sets ... for table and multiple guest setting use.  Rare as hen's teeth!!!  Imagine a 1.5-2 inch small porcelain dish and its chances for survival after the uses described above!

This would be a rare find indeed !

[George]

Thought I might add a snippet from Bob's book where he references a comment within Henry Hitt's "Old Chinese Snuff Bottles" book.

Quote.....

His reference to these as "saucers" which seems an error of semantics, has set the common term of reference for subsequent writers, although another early writer called them both plate and saucer. I have used the term "dish" only because, at least for me, it calls to mind something smaller than a plate and therefore seems to be a more fitting description.

The Chinese character identifying a snufff dish is translated as "plate," "dish," or "saucer," and "dish or "plate would seem the most proper usage.

[George]

This has to be the rarest of the snuff bottle family.  I never mentioned it but I have been collecting these for a long time.  I only have about 50-60 (!!!) after all this time. 

I am not absolutely sure..

One of these dishes should be about 1" ?  Probably not any larger ??

[Pat - 查尚杰]

George

That Stevens book is an incredible resource.  Agreed on the naming.  Lets refer to them as Snuff Dish here.  I actually bought some sets over time but am keeping the doubles for trading if they are the same motif/subject pattern.  The sets that have different paintings on them I am keeping ofcourse.  There is one set of 9 half-moon shaped dishes with all different landscapes, and a few others that I have 3-4 of (painting of persons and insects).  The set of 4 is obviously incomplete as the number 4  is an unlucky and undesirable number in old China, and is associated with death, by the way.  Please share the dealer who has the repro ones (see below).  

Peter

Seems indeed like Jill and Li Hui's collecting interests are very much in line with mine.  Look forward to meet them!

To all

I am personally not aware of any repro 'makers' of these (see above).  I dont think there is enough money in it (yet).  However, these were made all the way till the establishment of the PRC.  This is why the porcelain prevails in these.  The problem is breakage and survival.  Today, everyone in China recognizes and knows a snuff bottle.  But very few people know and recognize a snuff dish, and they were often thrown out or just broken, unless they were in precious and loved material. And yes, I am expecting the prices to go up and up, even if you look at the prices today, they are high.

[Pat - 查尚杰]

The size is usually 1-1.5 inch indeed.  However, there are some examples of larger and more ornate, and irregular shape

[richy88]

Hi Pat & All

This is set of ivory snuff bottle accessory that I have, consisting of an ivory funnel, spatula and 2 dishes. I also have some snuff dishes made of different materials. The photos can be found in the book: "Snuff Bottles : Little Gems of Delight".

Enjoy!


Richard

[George]

Exceptional !!

[richy88]

Thanks, George!

Managed to find a photo of some of my snuff dishes for your viewing pleasure. You may noticed that quite a few of them are from the Bob Steven's collection. (refer to the photo posted by George in "A Few Dishes to Share/Courtesy Bob Stevens Snuff Bottle Collectors book" thread.

Enjoy!


Richard

[Pat - 查尚杰]

Nice collection and variety.  Mine are all porcelain or enameled copper.