Please help me figure this out...

[deputydad23]

I have an antique snuff bottle which was given to me by my mother. My mother was friends with a lady who owned an antiques shop and was given the bottle as a birthday gift one year. Since I can recall, I have always been intrigued by this bottle and as a birthday gift to me a few years back she passed it down. I know its a snuff bottle, however I do not know the age or the material its made from. I originally thought this was ivory, now I question it and think it could be bone. The artwork is very detailed and I am assuming that this is pre 1900 however I could be wrong. I know enough to know this is not a reproduction I just do not know enough to place a date on this piece. I spoke with an appraiser over the phone once and was told that these could be worth upwards of 10K depending on what you have, however I have no idea what mine is or what it could even be worth. If someone has some knowledge and could please educate me, I would love to know. Also just out of curiosity what would something like this go for in an auction just in case I was wanting to sell it later on down the road. Thanks everyone for your time and help!

Brandon
Northern CA

 

[deputydad23]

here is another picture of the stopper and the tiny wooden spoon attached the entire bottle is approx 3 1/2" tall and very light. Thr ring around the lid appears to be brass or copper possibly.

Thanks again!

Brandon
Northern CA

 

[surfaceone]

Hey Brandon,

Welcome to the A-BN, and thanks for showing us your snuff.

You have a Chinese snuff bottle there. I don't think it's ivory, either. Chinese snuff bottles are not our strong suit here at A-BN. We do have a knowledgeable member on Chinese snuffs, but he does not come here that often.

I'd point you towards The Snuff Bottle Forum for a better characterization of exactly what you have.

 

[deputydad23]

Thank you very much for pointing me in the right direction. I appreciate your time!

 

[splante]

no clue but a very cool bottle thanks for showing it

 

[springhead]

Plastic made to look like cinnabar... very common and inexpensive. If you look closely you will see tiny air bubbles in the material.

 

[surfaceone]

Plastic made to look like cinnabar...

Hey springhead,

I'm not quite sure if you're talking about his piece, or the stopper on the modern one I put up. If his, wouldn't it be a reddish color, as Cinnabar, that I've seen, has always been red.

From.

From.

 

[springhead]

The Chinese used a white lacquer also... I assumed it was called cinnabar... I'm probably wrong. The vases and plate cinnabar looking things come in black, red and white.... It;s all the same... plastic resin made to look like carved cinnabar lacquer.

 

[springhead]

The red one you posted Surfaceone is the same. Commonly seen at antique shows and flea markets among the fake Chinese stuff. I call them fake because that is what they are. Recent productions made to fool people.Up there with the bronzes and jades but not as clever... heh...

 

[xxfollyxx]

Do the needle test. Heat up a needle with a lighter and push it into an inconspicuous area. If it goes in, be disappointed, its plastic.

For any high priced item, I shoot 8-10 emails with pics to auction galleries and ask for a free rough estimate. I buy storage units so this method is great for all the unique or hard to price items.