My mom found these at yard sale and we are curious about what they could be. Does anyone have any idea? I couldn't decide what would board it would fall under
Would it have a long stopper? When you pull the top off it's like there is a stick or dabber in the cap.
That's what I was expecting - the little paddle shapes at the ends of the daubers are for extracting the "snuff" and transporting it to the user's nose.
That's really cool. I never heard of those before. She got them at my yoga teacher's moving sale. This woman was very immersed in Asian culture. The smaller one has Asian script on the one side of it. The other side just looks ornate.
You should post pictures of the Asian script. Maybe we can decipher it. I wonder if they're silver...?
Recent, Tibetan or Nepalese - not silver. https://www.google.com/search?site=....0....0...1ac.1.64.img..0.20.1129.v2khObwwQr0 https://www.google.com/search?site=...7.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..13.8.799.CgPPyvZlKhM ~Cheryl
I'm going to jump right in on this one. And I'm not in anyway an appraiser or the like; but I've had the fortune to have owned similar reservoirs like this and I'll share with you what was told to me by someone who knows their stuff. The "snuff" that was kept in these reservoirs was opium. That's what I was told. These sort of reservoirs are as common as straight edge razors to those that live in the Orient. Nothing as nice as your's. Your's would have been owned by someone in an upper "class". Someone moneyed. The residents of Asian continent thought nothing of carrying their "stash", it was completely acceptable. Like folks used to pocket their cigarettes, or have ornate boxes for their smokes. There are a lot of collectors for this type of antique paraphernalia. I was told mostly physicians. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share what I was told.
Opium Tibetan Coin Bottle #A This is a beautiful "newer hand made" Tibetan Opium Snuff Bottle. The Bottle is made from 2 old coins. It also has some Delicate Filigree Work, and is adorned with Turquoise and Coral Colored Stones. The stopper style top is attached with a little silver colored chain, so the lid can’t get lost. These bottles could be used to hold Herbs, Medicines and Solid Fragrances. This fascinating little bottle measures approx. 1 1/4" tall by about 7/8" in diameter. Qty Avail: 23 Price: $7.99 Sorry..........but there it is !