Hello and street sell at Guangzhou

[Juancho]

Hi everyone!

I just joined the group and would like to introduce myself here.  I’m new in the world of SB, so new that I don’t even own one yet!!

My interest started a couple of months ago, when I was in Guangzhou and I came cross a street vendor with a small display of small bottles. I found them really appealing and captivating, and I wished I knew about what there were so I could appreciate them more, but having no clue about them, I didn’t purchase any. Back at home (Singapore) I started researching to find out what those bottles were... and that got me hooked into this fascinating world!!!

Since then I purchased Lilla Perry’s book and have been reading all I can find about SB on the web. I'm starting to have an idea of the main SB types and the terminology, however, I’m completely overwhelmed by their diversity and the complexity of their study. The more I try to learn about dating and how to tell which are authentic and which not, the more confusing it gets... and making sense of the contrasting prices at which similar looking SB are sold at auction, seems just impossible! I’m definitively into antique SB, and have special interest in the cloisonné and enamel groups, as well as in the black IP portraits, so would try to stick to one of those to make things easier!

I keep looking at the  photo I took at Guangzhou’s, trying to tell if any of those SB may have some value, and day-dreaming about returning to buy some now that I know a bit more about them.

I'm sending attached the photo of the bottles. I know that with just one image is not possible to judge a SB, but I though it could be interesting for the group to have a look at them and their prices (there are some snuff dishes as well). The majority seems modern although not tourist type. I will love to hear opinions in case there is chance to identify any interesting one. The ones that caught my eye are: #11, #31, #32, #33, #44, #51, #60, #61, #64. #66. 

Cheers!

Juan

[Wattana]

Hello Juan,

Welcome to the forum!

It sounds like you started off very much like I did - book before bottle. A good way to start!

I first became aware of snuff bottles on a visit to the USA. That lead me to purchasing a copy of Lilla Perry's book. I studied the book over and over before venturing to buy my first bottle. Back in the 1970s there was no internet, and Ms. Perry's volume was just about the only English language book on the subject. Nowadays you have a lot of very good information at your fingertips.

But a word of warning - as most of us collectors have been down that road! Take time to train your eye to discern quality. Study the auction catalogs, museum collections, and published private collections. Avoid buying on impulse from street markets. I guarantee that if you bought any of the bottles shown in your photo you will be hiding it with embarrassment 2-3 years from now!

Several forum members are based in Singapore. Try to arrange to meet one or two, and ask to see their bottles. The more bottles you handle, the sharper will become your ability to discern quality.

I hope my comments don't discourage you. Collecting snuff bottles is a wonderful and fulfilling hobby. I'm just advising that you approach it slowly...!

All best,

Tom (from Bangkok)

[George]

Hello Juan and warm welcome to the forum !

Looks like you have the collecting bug !

Another great starter book is , "The Collectors Book of Snuff Bottles" by Bob Stevens.

Also, browse the forums past topics, and you will pick up a lot of information.

[Jungle Jas]

Hi Juan, Welcome.

My advice, when you start to buy bottles,  buy what you like and enjoy it. Buy the best quality you can afford. Snuff bottles are a very diverse subject I have been collecting for over 30 years and still know very little.

Regards Jason

[Juancho]

Thanks Tom, George and Jason for the welcome and the kind advice.

I definitively should keep digging in the forum topics, and will look for a copy of Bob Stevens book.

Do I understand that neither of you see any valuable bottles in the picture? or is it that with just that photo it is not worth to try to judge them?

Cheers,

Juan

[George]

Do I understand that neither of you see any valuable bottles in the picture?

Sadly.. , yes, no value..

[Wattana]

Hi Juan,

Jason is right. You should buy what you like and enjoy it. I am just suggesting some safeguards to ensure that 2 to 3 years down the road you will still enjoy what you buy now.

Many years ago I attended a wine appreciation course. By the end I had learned a lot about the different wine growing areas, all the varieties, and how to analyze their quality. But I have never forgotten our lecturer's closing remark to the class:
"Now you know how to recognize quality, but only buy the wines you enjoy drinking, not the ones you think you ought to like."

Same applies to snuff bottles.

All best,
Tom  

[Joey]

Hi Juan,

     A warm welcome from me as well. I live in Jerusalem Israel, and have collected snuff bottles since Feb. 1970 [in 3 months, it will be 50 years!].
I agree with all that Tom wrote.

You need to buy what you are drawn to, but first learn to appreciate 'genuine' as opposed to 'made to fool newbies'.

Once you can discern genuine, train your eye to appreciate 'quality'.
But it is not something you can learn quickly.

In Singapore there are a number of very enthusiastic collectors.
Learn from them, but don't feel under any obligation to buy from them.
Don't feel under any obligation to buy from anyone.

Best,
Joey

[Juancho]

Thanks Tom and Joey. I will follow your wise advice!

Cheers,

Juan

[Rube]

Hey Juan,

Welcome to the Forum!
I live in Ohio in the United States, and have been enamored with snuff bottles since I was very young, when I first admired my grandmother's collection.

Cheers,

Rube.

[snuffmke]

Hi Juan,

I'd like to extend a hearty welcome as well. This is a great community with some extremely knowledgeable people. Such a fantastic resource.

Brian

[Juancho]

Thanks Rube and Brian, I look forward to learn from all of you!

Cheers,

Juan

[richy88]

Hi Juan

Welcome to the forum and a fellow Singaporean too!

I have been collecting snuff bottles since 1983 and is still focusing on them.

Feel free to send me a private mail and we can arrange to meet up to see some bottles if you like.

We have a small group of collectors who meet regularly every month. You are most welcome to join us.

And regarding the bottles in your photo, don't buy any of them as they are not of collectible quality.

Regards.


Richard

[Juancho]

Thanks Richard.

I will reach you privately.

Cheers,

Juan

[albert]

Hello and welcome Juan!!!

Nice to have new collectors to the forum!!

You've almost been told everything about how to start the SB collection.
I have been collecting for the past 5 years or so, spending a lot of time reading on the subject, and I want to tell you that today I feel that I cannot see the difference between old and new tobacco bottles of many types.
My advice is to be attentive to the forum, to review the old threads, to buy many catalogs and old books, and above all, do not hurry.

Albert.

[Juancho]

Thanks Albert

This is indeed a subject as challenging as fascinating!

Cheers!

Juan