Chinese Ivory Snuff Bottle

Authors

St. Cloud State University

Files

Description

Ivory snuff bottle decorated with Chinese characters. The reverse exhibits relief carving of birds among bamboo.

The Chinese characters of the left and down translate to “Birdsong and Fragrant Flowers”, while the right-side characters translate to “Green bamboo and Fresh Breeze”.

On the bottom are two characters which translates to “Ming Dynasty”.

At the top is a small ivory stick with a tiny scoop which inserts into the bottle. It was meant to gather snuff. The user would then bring to nose and inhale.

Date: Early 20th century

Dimensions (in inches): 3.25 (H) x 1.5 (W) x .5 (D)

Publication Date

1925

Keywords

William Lindgren, China, ivory, snuff, St. Cloud State University

Comments

Part of the William M. Lindgren Asian Art Collection housed in the St. Cloud State University Archives. Item 2052

Recommended Citation

St. Cloud State University, "Chinese Ivory Snuff Bottle" (1925). Lindgren 3D Objects. 36.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/wlindgren_3D/36