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)

Exhibitions

Glass Snuff Bottles of China at Steuben Glass

On ViewEuropean Gallery

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