Vintage Tibetan silver and yak bone snuff bottle

Snuff bottles were (and sometimes still are) used to store finely ground tobacco in, often mixed with various fragrant herbs. The snuffing of tobacco probably has its origin in China's Qing dynasty. During this time the smoking of tobacco was prohibited, but the snuffing of it was allowed, because it was believed to have various medical advantages. From there it found its way over the world, not only for its assumed medical benefits but also because the snuffing of tobacco became more and more a fashionable thing.

Snuff tobacco found its way into Tibet with the Silk route trading during the 17th and 18th century and with it a whole new area of craftmanship begin; that of making snuff containers, in which Tibet nowadays probably has one of the richest legacies all over the world. Tibetan snuff bottles vary from simple, purely functional objects to elaborately decorated and very valuable bottles. Often the used materials, designs, techniques and decorations form a distinct expression of the maker's and/or user's social standing, cultural and ancestral heritage and spiritual beliefs. They can be used both in daily life as in ritual settings, and are often hereditary objects that are handed down from generation to generation.

This beautiful little Tibetan snuff bottle has been made from yakbone and Tibetan silver and decorated with an inlay of brass and enamel, depicting various important symbols from Buddhist and Hindu iconography such as the six-pointed star ('Shatkona'), the yin-yang symbol and multiple engravings of the sun and moon. Little bottles such as these were often made by the most excellent craftsmen such as silversmiths and jewelrymakers. Because of this beautiful craftmanship, they are nowadays still considered very valuable collectors items.

Please note; this snuff bottle is from vintage origin (it can roughly be determined somewhere around the mid 20th century) and might therefore show some minor signs that come with age and previous usage. But overall this item is in very good condition and ready to be used again. Or of course to showcase as a precious, wonderful item in your home.

Sizes; approximately 7 centimeters high (measured including the cap) and 3,5 centimeters wide. Weight is approximately 31 grams. The cap, which is attached to the bottle with a Tibetan silver chain, is also a little spoon, which was used to bring a little bit of the snuff to the nose.

Only one available.