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Chinese Molded Lapis-Style Glass Snuff Bottle, Late 19th to Early 20th Century

Small blue and brown molded glass snuff bottle with relief bird carvings and a red and green stopper, held in a hand. - view 1
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Estimated value

$80 - $250

Rarity

Average(4/10)

Category

Asian Art

Era

Circa 1890–1930

Origin

🇨🇳 China

Authenticity

Moderate(55%)
26

CHINESE MOLDED LAPIS-STYLE GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE, LATE 19TH TO EARLY 20TH CENTURY: IDENTIFICATION

A molded glass snuff bottle designed to imitate natural lapis lazuli, featuring high-relief decoration of birds and blossoming prunus branches. The body displays a deep cobalt blue base color with mottled ochre and earthy inclusions intended to mimic the pyrite and calcite veins found in natural stone. It is topped with a carnelian-colored glass collar and a green glass cabochon stopper, likely lacking its original ivory or bone spoon.

Compare with other Asian art pieces in the archive: Chinese Archaistic Carved Jade Figure, Hongshan/Shang Style, Balinese Art Deco Wooden Sculpture of a Winged Celestial (Kinnari), Chinese Archaistic 'Taotie' and 'Chilong' Jade Pendant.

DYNASTY & PROVENANCE

During the Late Qing Dynasty and Republican period (1880–1940), glassmakers in Beijing and Guangzhou specialized in 'imitation stone' glass, as documented in Moss, Graham, and Kaefel's 'The Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles'. Glass was valued for its ability to mimic more expensive materials like ...
During the Late Qing Dynasty and Republican period (1880–1940), glassmakers in Beijing and Guangzhou specialized in 'imitation stone' glass, as documented in Moss, Graham, and Kaefel's 'The Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles'. Glass was valued for its ability to mimic more expensive materials like lapis lazuli, jade, and realgar, making these artistic objects accessible to a broader class of literati and merchant officials.

SCARCITY

Average55-70%
CommonLegendary

Typical antique shop fare. Requires some searching but regularly available. This is where most genuine antiques fall.

Rarity 4/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 33 asian items at rarity 4 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Standard antique shop items
  • Regularly available
  • Moderate collector interest

Confidence Factors

  • Mold seams are partially obscured by heavy mottling, common in late 19th-century mass-production
  • Mottling appears applied/surface-level rather than integrated throughout the glass melt
  • Stopper assembly is inconsistent with period-correct high-quality examples
How does authenticity detection work?

ASIAN ART SCHOLAR'S TAKE

Asian Art Specialist

East Asian Art Expert

The form and 'Lapis-style' glass are well-documented. However, the lack of a clear view of the footrim and internal hollowing prevents a definitive move to 'High' confidence.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Material shows characteristic 'pitting' and luster of late 19th-century imitation glass.
  • 2Form and motif (Prunus/Bird) are standard for the 1890-1920 export and domestic markets.
  • 3Mottled effect is a known technique for simulating Lapis Lazuli without the cost of the semi-precious stone.
  • 4Small neck diameter is consistent with functional snuff spoon usage common in the Republican period.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Blurry focus on the footrim prevents confirmation of hand-finishing versus machine-grinding.
  • •The luster appears slightly too 'waxy,' which can sometimes indicate modern resin, though glass is the primary evidence.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Provide a sharp photograph of the base/footrim to check for wear and grinding marks.
  • →Check if the object is cold to the touch (glass) or warms quickly (resin/plastic).
  • →Remove the stopper to inspect the internal neck for manual hollowing marks.

CONDITION & GRADE

Condition

The relief carving shows softening of edges consistent with mold-wear and handling. Surface grime is present in the crevices of the prunus branches, and the stopper appears to be a later association or lacks its original spoon.

ASIAN ART VALUATION

$80 - $250

Updated: May 10, 2026

Who buys this

Snuff bottle enthusiasts and collectors of late Qing/Republican era Chinese export glass.

What increases value

  • •Integrity of the high-relief molding
  • •Presence of the stopper (even if associated)
  • •Success of the 'stone' imitation

What lowers value

  • •Chips to the delicate high-relief bird wings
  • •Evidence of modern resin casting instead of true glass
  • •Missing snuff spoon

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Hand-carved definition over the molded base
  • •Authentic period-correct stoppers with coral or jadeite
  • •Seamlessly integrated metallic 'pyrite' flakes in the glass

Grade & condition

Sharpness of molding, lack of surface chips, and accuracy of mineral representation.

Rarity & demand

AverageModerate demandModerate liquidity
Browse similar asian objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

BR

bruinsma
The Connoisseur•59 items

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