The listing, ANTIQUE/VINTAGE REVERSE PAINTING BUTTERFLIES FROSTED GLASS SMALL PERFUME or SNUFF BOTTLE *READ* has ended.
This is a SIGNED Reverse Painted Snuff Bottle with VIBRANT MULTI COLORED butterflies on it. It's 3" tall with the top on it, 1 3/4" wide and 1" thick. If you GOOGLE the title you'll see it on Ebay for $79.00 (IF it's not sold already) and on RUBYLANE under Vintage Reverse Painted Snuff Bottle Flowers Butterflies Chinese for $125.00 BUT theirs is Unsigned and mine is SIGNED so Imagine how much it would fetch ;-). Last Picture shows Signature.
The lid is held in place with a small cork and attached is a tiny spoon used to remove the snuff, not sure but look like bone. Not sure if the top is Jade or what. The piece is in good condition with no chips or cracks. The detail of the painting on both sides is just wonderful. Imagine painting this little bottle - from the inside! This is a charming item for a collector or anyone who appreciates history.
Note: The use of snuff became established in China at the end of the 16th Century. Smoking tobacco was forbidden but snuff was valued for medicinal qualities, as a remedy for colds, headaches, etc. The powdered tobacco was dispensed in a bottle. The containers themselves became the subject of acquisition. Snuff bottles also became the currency for purchase of favors and for advancement in government. It was common courtesy to offer snuff to friends upon meeting them and great status accrued to the owner of the finest bottle.
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