Chinese Antique White Overlay Black Glass Snuff Bottle

Antique Chinese snuff bottles made of white overlay glass on a black glass ground are highly valued by collectors. The art of applying a white vitreous material to the surface of a piece of glass was developed in China during the Qing dynasty (1644-1912). Overlay snuff bottles were produced in great quantities during the 18th and 19th centuries and were exported to Europe and North America, where they were much admired for their beauty and delicacy. These bottles were usually decorated with scenes from nature, such as mountains and rivers, or with figurative designs, such as birds and flowers. Some bottles were also enameled or incised with intricate patterns. This fine antique snuff bottle dates to the early 20th century, circa the late Qing dynasty/the Republic period. The white overlay decoration features Qilin form designs with intricate scroll works and tendril designs with a matte black-white silhouette.

The snuff bottle measures 2.75 inches in height—1.94 inches in width.

The snuff bottle has a chip and loss to the white overlaid decoration. The snuff bottle top was possibly replaced and is an ill fit.