Antique cinnabar snuff bottle. Made in China. Believed to date to 19th century - circa 1880 - 1900.

Measures approx 2 1/2 inches high (a little under).

Ovoid body. Round cap with original stick and spoon inside. The cap/lid is in the form of a multi-layered flower with 3 graduated layers of petals culminating in a little round disc finial. The neck has a Greek key fretwork pattern. Shoulders have very finely detailed scrolls forming borders within which are flowers and foliage. The scrollwork borders form panels down the sides of the bottle - front and back. These are filled with wonderfully carved out flowers - in bull bloom and in bud. Exquisite workmanship. The background is a geometric pattern, quite typical of old cinnabar. The bottom border is a ring of leaves that echo the petals of the lid. Beautiful workmanship and detail.

Top of neck, bottom of cap and underneath the snuff are metal supports/cases.

Underneath, the bottle, the metal is signed with a Chinese hieroglyphic mark.

Condition: considering the age and delicate material, the bottle is in very good condition. There is some wear commensurate with the age, which is shown highly magnified in the 'photos.

The little spoon with it's long handle, believed to be made of natural material, possibly dyed, broke while we were taking the photos, but could easilly be reattached.

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