Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries

I recently purchased a group of old snuff bottles. I am looking for second opinion of its age of this jade piece. I'm appreciated if you tell me your reasons (style and designs...)
Thank you

Glass gloss makes me believe that it is not jade
Ernest

KK,

Having quite a few stone snuff bottles, I've always wondered how to date them. Here are a couple of things I consider:

1) Is it well hollowed out? If the hole is just a straight cylinder to the bottom, it was likely quickly drilled for the tourist trade.

2) Was the hole made by modern tools? Is it cylindrical like a drill bit made it?

3) Does the carving look like it was made with modern tools? Use a loop and see if anything looks suspicious.

4) Was it used for shuff? Is there any snuff residue in the bottle? No. I might have been made for the tourist trade.

After considering the above, I would have a hard time dating any rock. Look for wear around the edges. It looks pretty pristine which makes me doubt that it is old.

Artistic comments: It is not that well executed.

> The rind is not used well to accentuate the design. This is a sign that it may have been more hastily done.

> I don't think the horse (face looks more like a lion) or house is well executed.

> The scene contains quite a few elements which indicates more rather than less work.

These clues make me think it is newer rather than older. Note that I am a novice. Just some things to consider.

Cheers,
Stan

Stan,

I like your four points. Thank you!

answers:
It's very well hollowed out. The craving is not great but not bad if view in person. The horse doesn't look like lion at all. It does seen so in the jpegs. It has some deposit inside. IMHO the quality of the jade is pretty good so it 's probably not for tourist trade.

I try to take a better picture of the horse but none turn out good.

KK

KK,

Just to continue the conversation, here is an example of what I mean. Below is one of our snuff bottles (carnelian, I think). Notice that it is carved on all sides. The rider has an expression and I particularly like the 2 bats going along for good luck. The back has a couple of laborers heading home. The house isn't much better than yours.

There is just more worksmanship and artistry involved.

Cheers,
Stan

Thanks Stan,
I like yours. Can we trade? :)
I think the craving of yours is very good, and there are tons of less quality , but old pieces out there as well. ( see www.tro..... antique website)

I finally got two better pics. My canon has hard time focusing on translucent surface. I love to see other's opinion as well.

KK,

KK,

> I like yours. Can we trade? :)

Sorry. That is one of our keepers. Like you, I bought a large lot of snuff bottles at auction. There are 10 or 12 I am thinking of selling to get better. I just haven't made the effort.

The horse is better carved than your first picture showed.

Of course, the question of age is still unanswered.

When looking at a stone snuff bottle, I look at the workmanship then decide if it is worth the price.

Cheers,
Stan

Like many collectors, I bought this group of snuff bottles because price was right and I liked to study them closely. I don't think I will keep them long.
I am 100% agree with you that it's all about craftsmanship. I am actually a pretty good sculptor myself and have no problem spot the good ones out there. They are just hard to come by nowadays.
KK

Great points !

I am leaning towards your bottle being jade.. More specificly, could be Hatian type.

Just a guess on my part..

Stan.. I also think yours is brazilian.. Sure has the right colors.

I really like the( jade ? ) bottle .. ! I actually think it is nicely carved, sanded and polished.

If you guys or anyone else are ever considering selling any bottles, please don't hesitate to let me know.. Always interested, but then again, I don't always buy !

Would sure like to have you both and or anyone else here who collects snuff bottles to join up with myself and other collectors at http://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/

Great group of guys, and we love to share and learn from each other our bottle collecting experiences ..



URL Title :Snuff Bottle Discussion Forum

George,

I bookmarked the site. I'll poke around when I have the time. So many hobbies. So little time.

Cheers,
Stan

Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries |