Metal Snuff Container

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by cxgirl, Aug 12, 2017.

  1. cxgirl

    cxgirl Well-Known Member

    Hi,
    Maybe a snuff container, 1 3/4" x 1 1/4", brass or bronze. The stone on the top is stuck, some gunk around it so maybe it was glued in place. The centre piece has been glued in place, most of the enamel is gone, not sure what the little figure is made of.
    any information appreciated
    thanks for looking DSC02524.jpg DSC02525.jpg DSC02526.jpg DSC02540.jpg DSC02627.jpg
     
    AntiqueAndy likes this.
  2. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    looks like ivory on a tobacco canister..
     
    Christmasjoy and cxgirl like this.
  3. johnnycb09

    johnnycb09 Well-Known Member

    You find the coolest things ! Is it just me,or is that medallion glued on ?
     
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  4. cxgirl

    cxgirl Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the replies gentlemen:)
    Could be ivory, very tiny and hard to get a close-up of it. Snuff and tobacco are the same, right?
    Yes johnny, it is glued on.
    thank-you johnny:) I'll have to show this to my youngest son as sometimes he is convinced I'm crazy buying some of this stuff.
     
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  5. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    kinda of...but the containers differ...
     
    cxgirl likes this.
  6. cxgirl

    cxgirl Well-Known Member

    thanks komokwa, I didn't know that. I'll check them out
     
  7. afantiques

    afantiques Well-Known Member

    Pull the stopper, plastic tops are always repros if they belong with the snuff bottle. The snuff spoon should be bamboo or ivory, plastic is a no-no. Old and dirty is good for the snuff spoon.

    Reproduction bottles are very common, and yours does look newish.
     
    cxgirl likes this.
  8. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    maybe it's for snuff.....or opium.....that guy looks like he's holding a pipe....

    upload_2017-8-12_20-6-59.jpeg upload_2017-8-12_20-8-36.jpeg

    be nice if you could get the top off..........
     
    cxgirl likes this.
  9. johnnycb09

    johnnycb09 Well-Known Member

    Holy Moley ! Thats a serious pipe !
     
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  10. cxgirl

    cxgirl Well-Known Member

    af, I think it is just a piece of stone that is in the top, not a spoon but I'm hesitant to try and pry it out.
     
  11. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    run it under hot water.......see if the gunk looses it's hold..
     
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  12. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    The medallion is post 1950, you can tell from the twisted wires around the enamel. In older cloisonné those are thin metal strips. It could be silver.
    I don't know if the little guy is ivory. Could you take a close up of him? Looks like he is holding a sheng (musical instrument)
    The bottle looks older.

    A snuff bottle would contain snuff tobacco or medicinal herbs. The contents were powdery enough to be snorted up the nose.
    Opium was smoked, or mixed with other things to be ingested. I have many antique snuff bottles with a residue of fragrant herb mixtures, but none with opium.
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2017
    cxgirl likes this.
  13. Mansons2005

    Mansons2005 Nasty by Nature, Curmudgeon by Choice

    I would think that opium would be too "sticky" to get in and out of a vessel with such a narrow neck conveniently ...................but what do I know................aside from the fact that opium is usually sticky................but how do I know that opium is usually sticky......................let's say I read a lot....................
     
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  14. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    I think the idea that Chinese snuff bottles were used for opium is a western fantasy.
     
    cxgirl likes this.
  15. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    it is too sticky....i'm just throwing stuff out there.....
    stuff...or snuff...

    AJ..I love fantasy !! :happy:
     
    cxgirl likes this.
  16. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    The spice of life, komo.:)
     
    cxgirl likes this.
  17. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    Sidebar to AJ....
    that guys knife ,,,i didn't research too hard cuz he can't be bothered to post on a forum..
     
  18. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Absolutely right, as you saw I gave him the link. I am still waiting, if he ever posts it I'll look further, just like you. But of course I was curious, thought maybe North Africa? No use to research it yet though.
     
  19. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    maybe...I don't even know if the sheath fits the knife....but I gots too much goin on to be workin for slackers..
     
  20. cxgirl

    cxgirl Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the replies folks:)
    I'll try and remove the top this afternoon, maybe there will be a mini treasure inside! I had a money bank with a lock on it and was finally able to open it and there were 2 x $1.00US bills inside
    I never notice stuff like that until it is pointed out to me, thank-you AJ! Here is the best I can do with a close-up - not sure why but they look good until I crop them, then they seem to blur.
    I don't know who the guy with the knife is but I hope he comes back, sounds like an interesting piece:)
    DSC02638.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2017
    komokwa and Any Jewelry like this.
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