Topic: Peking glass snuff bottle - reproduction or not?

[chilternhills]

I bought this snuff bottle the other day, described as Peking Glass, but not knowing if it was old or new. It's 6.5 cm high, 6 cm wide, and 3.5 cm deep. The design on the side is hand finished. I found a bottle online that has almost the same hand-finished design on the sides described as 19th Century, but that had a more matt finish to the glass surface. My bottle is quite shiny, with some faint surface scratches, but that doesn't mean it's not 19th century.

Can anyone provide an expert opinion? Thanks.

Anton

[cagney]

 While I am not even close to being an expert, generally what ever the material, it is the quality of the carving that may lead you onto a possible date and maybe even the artist. My understanding is they were quite meticulous in the 18th c. and probably the 19th c. as well. I would not discount some 20th c. pieces, especially if intentionally made to mimic a high value older one.

  Whatever the date of your snuff bottle, the color is most striking and lovely. Well worth owning just on that aspect alone. The color itself could be a clue to it's age.

[cagney]

  An example in brown glass, exactly in the same shape, with carving on the shoulders can be seen at;https://emagazine.aggv.ca/10-things-you-should-know-about-snuff-bottles

[chilternhills]

Thanks cagney. Your comments are reassuring that it's more likely 19th Century than recent. By the way, I found another example, identical in that beautiful red colour, decoration and surface shine, but slightly different in shape, on a well known UK antique dealer's web site described as 19th Century as well.

I was doubting the age of the bottle because I bought it fairly cheaply at a traditional public auction. Only about half a dozen were present in person, but umpteen online bidders. I guess I was lucky. The auctioneer did not give an opinion on the date of manufacture.

[cagney]

  Weather luck or pluck, sometimes you gotta go with your gut. I think your approach and instincts are good ones. Skills to be honed. Price is pretty low on my scale of factors when making a judgement.The last question I always ask myself is: What factors make it not what I think it is? Part of that healthy skepticism.