| Some collections feature uncarved
bottles of rare stones, or Lacquer, or Amber and Ivory. Most
collections consist of the collector's favorite subject but include
a variety of other treasured bottles. There are collections that use
as a theme; animals, or a colour such as Imperial Yellow, or Blue
and White, and as there are so many possibilities, no two
collections ever look the same.
International connections
For anyone considering buying Snuff
Bottles I should explain that it is an international pursuit. There
is even an `International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society' with a large
and active membership. Having been members over a long period we
have found that fellow members are such interesting and friendly
people.
There is a bond between a collector
that leads to friendship, until we meet in the auction rooms that
is! It is well worth joining, as there is a very informative,
quarterly magazine, full of good colour photographs. Information is
surprisingly, freely shared amongst members and by the specialist
dealers. So much can be learned this way, in fact far more than just
by studying the many very fine, beautiful books on the subject.
Dangerous temptations
Most people's first encounter with
these bottles is likely to be at antique shops, auctions or antique
fairs, otherwise in a museum or perhaps by meeting a collector. Once
seen, certain people are tempted when next coming across a bottle to
buy, but all too often these first purchases are of very poor
quality. Later on, having acquired more knowledge, these first
bottles so often prove to be disappointing. They often can turn out
to be very costly mistakes. Unfortunately, there are far too many
very poor bottles about, some are even brand new, made to cash in
from the collecting craze. Even an article like this one can cause
someone to go and buy without sufficient knowledge, I do hope not.
My advice is that apart from joining
the society, attend some Snuff Bottles auctions and visit some of
the specialist dealers.
When you go to the auction rooms be
sure to go on the viewing days, usually one or two days before the
sale. The first impression will probably be one of disappointment as
there will be lots of poor quality bottles and to see so many all
lying down, behind glass, is not the best way of presenting them.
Be sure to select a few that appeal
to you and ask to inspect them. You will then be given a chance to
handle some, and that is when the magic can begin. I do not know how
to explain what happens, but there is something of a tactile
pleasure that is only obtained from handling a good piece.
|
|
Our collection
I should point out that my first
bottle did not immediately grab my attention. Surrounded by many
beautiful and more colourful bottles of all shapes and sizes in a
dealers display cabinet, this brown and beige coloured bottle looked
rather drab. Eventually, I came round to inspect it and before too
long I knew that I had to buy it.
Only another collector can fully
appreciate that overpowering urge that comes over one as it is the
closest feeling to that of love at first sight. I have been told
that ones pupils tend to enlarge, and this is one of the signs that
dealers watch out for, and as collectors, of course, we always try
desperately to camouflage our interest. This bottle was purchased,
which is still a favourite, and it has formed the basis of our
collection.
Our collection included many types of
bottles but features mostly hardstones, known as Picture Agates,
each one of these being a unique piece, as there can never be two
alike. To fully appreciate these bottles I need to tell you more
about how a stone bottle was made. All good early Snuff Bottles were
made to be used and they needed to be small yet capable of holding
plenty of snuff, not too heavy as they were carried on their person,
often in the sleeve. All these bottles were designed to feel
comfortable in the hand and were sealed with a cork, to keep the
snuff at its best.
In Europe hinged boxes were used but
perhaps the humidity in China caused them to prefer bottles with
corks. All Snuff Bottles have a stopper on to which a cork is fixed,
and at the other end of the cork is an ivory spoon. These stoppers
rarely matched the bottles other than in size and shape. It was a
matter of personal choice as to what type and colour was considered
best to go with the bottle. |
|
Well hollowed bottles
Stone bottles were carved in a large
variety of shapes but always with a fairly small opening in the neck
normally about 5mm in diameter. Just imagine a lump of Quartz rock
that is quite impossible to scratch even with your stainless steel
penknife, yet in the 18th century this was carved into a bulbous
shaped bottle.
Next it was drilled through the neck
and hollowed out through this small hole, so that even difficult
areas such as the shoulders of the bottle are really thin. Fine
bottles are so well hollowed that they look more like blown glass,
and are aptly described as `Eggshell Thin'. Should you place them in
a bowl of water they will trap enough air to float.
Although I have mentioned that
drilling was used, the information available about the manufacturing
methods is incredible, as the drill and cutting discs were foot
operated `Heath Robinson' affairs. However I do believe after many
years' experience, they acquired more control and feel than is
possible with modern electronic equipment (Essential in working on
Jade as certain parts of the stone can easily fracture whilst other
areas are very hard).
Most of the carving was achieved by
grinding with Jade, Gem stone, sand and other abrasive particles.
First by drilling and then hollowing out by carefully grinding away
with special file-like tools. These tools were made by hammering
metal shapes over the abrasive particles that once embedded, were
easily bent to reach the most awkward parts.
The Chinese appreciated these
wonderful stone bottles and they were fashioned from many types of
stone, the purity of the material, particularly the Jade ones being
highly prized. The Chalcedony Quartz bottles once `Eggshell Thin'
show up remarkable markings formed from the formation of the
crystals.
>From flaws to pictures
Everyone I am sure can appreciate
such bottles, as the lovely shapes and purity of the stone just
cannot fail to impress. What I find even more fascinating is the
amazing way they deliberately, brilliantly take advantage of flaws
and inclusions often present in the stones.
Most Quartz and Jade stones have an
outer layer of a different colour, particularly the pebbles from the
riverbeds. They also have faults and flaws plus other coloured
material, often deep in the stone. Sometimes these can be very thin
skin-like inclusions, in others large blobs are found.
The problem is no one knows just what
is in the rock until, as the cuts are made, the secrets of the stone
are revealed. It is with this type of material that `Picture Agates'
are made. The best of these incredible bottles look as if the
inclusion, that forms the image, has appeared in just the right
place as if to order!
There are different types of work
within this group of bottles and the first ones are what we call
`Cameo' carvings. These take advantage of an outer skin or a blob
type of inclusion; they can be quite thick and are carved in relief.
Another type is called `Shadow Agates' and these take advantage of
markings in the bottle where, with the help of a little carving, an
image is created. Lastly, the most fascinating ones are called
`Silhouette Agates' but in this group no apparent carving is
required. The image is achieved mainly by the angle and choice of
shape, as well as the size and position of the bottle to be formed
out of the rock. These bottles have to be seen to be believed.
What is really mind blowing to me is
the fact that there are some of these bottles with pictures on both
sides!
Sadly, few of them were signed. We
only know that there was a certain school of carvers known as the `Suzhou
School'. Their works are easily recognised by the style and quality
of the carving, plus the fact that they make use of every mark in
the stone to form the picture. They are amazing bottles when good,
but there are later works that tend to look too stiff and the
carving lacks the more fluid artistic touch of the master carvers.
Unfortunately, hardly any of these bottles are really well hollowed.
Our first bottle
So to describe my first purchase,
this was a `Shadow Agate picture bottle' involving a little carving,
and very well hollowed. It is a most appropriate subject and colour
for a Snuff Bottle because the russet inclusions have been used to
show `Putai Ho-Shang'. He is always depicted as a very corpulent man
with a bare chest and abdomen and he is the patron saint of
tobacconists. In this bottle he appears surprised by a bat whilst
sitting below some tobacco leaves. The bat to the Chinese is a good
luck symbol. You can see how easily he appears, nicely placed within
the bottle yet only his head and a suggestion of his hand have been
carved. (See the photograph by using the link at the bottom of this
article).
We now own a number of Picture Agates
and to illustrate the different types described, the photograph of
the Duck with Lingzhi fungus in its beak is a good `Silhouette'
example. Incidentally, the fungus is a symbol for wishing long life.
This bottle is very unusual as there is a recess carved originally
to create the image that serves as a built in dish. (See the
photograph by using the link at the bottom of this article).
Lastly, a superb bottle of fishes
with pictures on both sides: the pair of fishes are cameo carved and
to the Chinese represent fidelity and happy conjugal rights in
marriage. On the other side a fish and aquatic plants make use of
every mark in the stone, all this on a well shaped bottle that is
very well hollowed. All these bottles illustrated were made between
1750 and 1860. (See the photograph by using the link at the top of
this article).
Assessment
To effectively judge Hardstone
carvings, the first consideration should be concerned with the
overall artistic impression. You need to be satisfied that the work
looks well composed and well positioned and that the images formed
are flowing rather than stiff and awkward. The next stage is to have
a closer look at the technical skills. When I look at a cameo type
of carving I study the shape and finish of the background, close to
the edge of the carving. On poorer bottles this can be indented,
uneven and not so well polished as the rest. Really fine examples
look as if the raised cameo part has simply been glued onto a
beautifully formed bottle. Engraved work at its best is very precise
and provides the detail. When closely looking at a poor bottle the
engraved parts can look very crude.
Beware, amazing glass imitation stone
bottles exist. To check for these use a magnifying glass and look
for tiny bubbles or pin size holes on the surface. As a last resort
if still in doubt, a penknife will easily scratch the base if it is
glass, whereas a stone will not be marked.
In evaluating the value of all
artwork a careful check for any damage is essential. With stone
bottles the following points should help. Firstly, assess how well
the bottle has been hollowed by holding it up to the light. Inspect
the stone from all angles in the light and with light from behind.
If the stone is cracked it will be visible often as a star shape
from the point of impact. Some stones have natural flaws that are
not cracks. I then have a good look at the foot rim and the neck of
the bottle, as these areas are the most susceptible to damage. If
none is apparent I consider the proportions to make sure neither has
been ground down to remove a chip.
When inspecting the neck as viewed
looking down into the bottle the top surface should be concave, not
flat. Bottles that have had the neck repaired to remove any damage
are always flat, and you can be sure no longer original.
Snuff bottles were used
There is one other criterion that I
personally believe is important. Most of the best stone bottles were
made between 1750 and 1860, although many poor bottles have been
made since then, right up to the present day. These late bottles
were not really made for use, and some are referred to as `Cabinet
Pieces' and can fairly easily be identified. They are poorly
hollowed, if at all. Some just have a drilled hole in them and so
they feel far too heavy. They also tend to be very showy in choice
of materials, with impractical rather high and sharp carving that
feels most uncomfortable in the hand. There are others so delicately
carved that one instinctively knows that they could not survive
actual use. It is only possible to make these judgements by
comparison. Experience is needed and takes time to acquire.
Small is beautiful
There are advantages in collecting
very small items as they are not too obtrusive and can easily be
locked away. This is very important if your partner does not share
your interest! They can also make a beautiful display without
completely disrupting your home.
Try to be certain that you really are
enthusiastic about collecting before you buy one. Once you place one
in your home and it looks so small and appealing, it is only a
matter of time before you will come to the conclusion that a little
group of bottles will look so much better. This tends to play on
ones mind and that is how we all get hooked!
|