Reproduction Brass/Gem/Stone inlaid Snuff Bottle Covers and Spoons

[Pat - 查尚杰]

Hi all

Since I don't like caps/covers that the modern IP bottle painters use, I have been looking a long time for a decent source for these covers as in the pictures.  I finally found a supplier for $4.5 each in the sizes of 12-15-18-20 mm.  These tend to retail in the $7-9 range.  The only caveat is that I have to place an order for 500 pieces which is a little hard to chew off for me right now.  I am gauging the interest of the people on the list to see IF you want to order any along with me.  I will probably order 200-250 for myself,... I need more eventually, but the multiplication still comes out to a steep figure.

Let me know if any interest and if so, for how many and what sizes do you need/want?  I am still working on the larger (and smaller) ones, but need to place the first order before they will budge or be interested.  Since I approached them with these sizes, they kind of latched on to that, probably because they are indeed the most common sizes. 

Thanks for your interest and reply!

[George]

I really appreciate you sharing these Pat..

Couple of problems for myself..

Even 50 would be way more than I could use..

Another thing.. Just an observation.. I dislike the short spoons.. I would rather have the stopper by itself than with a short spoon.

I know that the stopper and spoon is secondary for some collectors to the bottle, but I think a nicely matched stopper can really make a bottle pop... Even more so with a beautiful full length spoon..

Just really particular about the spoon being longer.. A better match for an average 3" tall bottle.

[Pat - 查尚杰]

Thanks for the reply George, and you are welcome.  ANY order size you need, let me know.  I was given a end of november timeline at the prices quoted, so I am looking at tallying up the potential 'takers'. 

I agree on the short spoons.... however, for IPBs this is NOT a bad thing, as they are easily scratched.  In fact, I have also toyed with the idea of having the tops made without the spoons, but interestingly enough, that DID NOT make them cheaper, as I was requesting 'special things', ofcourse.  In the future, I may actually try to re-negotiate for caps without spoons.  But then again, it just does not look right and authentic without a spoon in it!

[Pat - 查尚杰]

By the way, just to clarify I think most of these have a 2-2.5 inch spoon, so that would be the right size for most bottles in 3-3.5 inch range which is the large majority.  They manufacture these based on the average size bottles.  Maybe the pic does not show it properly but if you take an average diameter of say 16mm (from 12-20mm) then you can see what I mean... There is no problem there.   Also, I think once I establish an order and rapport, I can 'customize' as needed. 

[George]

I do plan on making stoppers for my bottles. I did make one out of agate, but it lacked both a collar, and a spoon.

Once I get the technique down, will be at least making some nice matching stoppers for those of my bottles that lack them. Not sure if I like the silver trim/bezel setting around stoppers like the ones in your pic.. I am on the fence about them.

Did not really care for the look of my first one. Really needed a collar. 

 

[Pat - 查尚杰]

It is all a matter of choice and preference.  I think for $4.50 these are a steal, but everyone has a different taste,...I love the tiger eye ones in particular, but they did not agree to include more than 5 pct of the tiger eye (it is all about raw material cost I suppose). The bezel is brass/gold colored, not silver, by the way, again it is a bad pic.  I think silver would look bad on any glass bottle, except perhaps the colored ones.  Anyway, can't argue color or religion they say... lol....

It is true however that with your skills and specialty you can do what most of us here can't.  There may be a sideline business there for you ;-)