snuff bottle

Object NameSnuff Bottle in the Form of a Tortoise with Stopper

Made FromNon-Lead (?) Glass, Ivory

Dateabout 1750-1850

Place MadeChina

Techniqueblown, carved, lampworked

SizeOverall H: 8.1 cm, W: 5.8 cm

Accession Number82.6.17

Credit LineBequest of Marian Swayze Mayer

Curatorial Area(s)

Not On View

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

黄色龟形玻璃鼻烟壶

Physical DescriptionSnuff Bottle in the Form of a Tortoise with Stopper. Opaque bright yellow, translucent pink non-lead (?) glass; blown, carved, lampworked. (a) Flattened, circular form, of yellow glass; carved in the form of a tortoise, the carved head forming the neck, the open mouth the hole for the stopper; the body formed as the shell of the tortoise, with hexagonal cells carved on the back, with a flowing "mane" extending partly over the back, a coiled serpent on one side, and a carved clam shell on the back; carved legs extending from the sides to the underside, with carved curved lines on the underside; small pointed tail at the rear. (b) Circular ruby cap with tiny yellow animal lampworked on top, with one pink eye; mounted at an angle on a cork stopper, and slender ivory spoon with pointed oval spatulate bowl.
Provenance

Source Marian Swayze Mayer (d. 1982) - 1981-12-22