Accession Number
1980/2.68

Title
Ivory snuff bottle in the shape of seashell and fish

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1912-1949

Medium & Support
ivory

Dimensions
3 1/8 in. x 1 3/16 in. x 7/8 in. ( 7.9 cm x 3 cm x 2.3 cm )

Credit Line
Gift of Mr. Robert W. Coggan

Subject matter
Snuff bottles have fascinated Western and Asian collectors since they were first produced in China in the early part of the 18th century. Conceived as precious containers for ground tobacco imported into China, snuff bottles were initially made for the emperor and the court, and eventually produced in much greater quantities for a public who enjoyed their functionality as well as their display as symbols of status.
These exquisite miniatures, which measure between one-and-a-half and three inches high, not only illustrate the technical virtuosity of Qing dynasty craftsmen, but also provide a window on life and culture in late imperial China.
For example, early 18th-century imperial glass and painted enamel bottles show the influence of the Jesuits at court, and the imperial fascination with Western technical advances. Carved examples in different mediums such as jade and glass illustrate the relationships between craftsmen working at the imperial workshops, and the favoured motifs across materials. Later 19th-century versions reveal how earlier imperial tastes became popular with the general public, while confirming the continuing status of snuff use in Qing society.
https://www.christies.com/features/Chinese-Snuff-Bottles-Collecting-Guide-7650-1.aspx

Physical Description
An ivory snuff bottle in the shape of seashell and fish. Carved on the body of the seashell are the scales and eyes of the fish. The bottom of the seashell curves and extends the up the side of the shell body in the shape of a tail. The top of the shell (where the mouth of the fish would be) is the stopper in the shape of a spiral shell. The snuff bottle is an incised wooden stand.

Primary Object Classification
Decorative Arts

Primary Object Type
snuff bottle

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
fish (animals)
ivory (material)
shells (boats)
snuff bottles
stoppers (container components)