Wood Tone ‘Lipstick’ and Green Collared Chinese Chestnut Snuff Bottles (Set of 2

Small, airtight snuff bottles were created in China after Jesuit missionaries introduced powdered tobacco in the mid 17th century. They were designed to better suit the humid climate than the snuff boxes common in Europe. As snuff-taking became a fashionable pastime, the bottles evolved into elaborate accessories which today are collectors’ items. 
 
Most of our collection, like these pieces, are not particularly elaborate however and, after consulting an appraiser, we confirmed such visiting antique shops where common looking snuff bottles were not selling for very much. Only two of ours were singled out for a higher price. These were not among them.
 
The tall ‘lipstick’ shaped snuff bottle appears as if wood, but feels more like plastic. It has never been used. There is what could be a maker’s mark on the bottom but could also just be a deceptive anomoly in the material.
 
The ‘chestnut’ shaped former snuff bottle - which lies flat, no base to allow it to stand up - is missing a stopper but is too beautiful to just toss. We believe it is a lacquered Chinese chestnut converted into a snuff bottle with an emerald green enameled cap (which can be slipped off to examine beneath, where there is a big crack in the chestnut. 
 
We believe our grandmother inherited these from the Burr sisters who visited China in the 1920s and 1930s. They appear never used for anything other than decorative purposes.
 
Lipstick-shaped bottle: H 2 3/4” x L 13/16” x D 13/16”
Chestnut-shaped bottle: H 2” x L 1 5/8” x D 3/4”
 
Disclaimer: We have tried to make sure colors shown in photos are representative of the real colors of each item. We have tried to identify all imperfections in descriptions, but we may have missed some. If you are unhappy with your purchase, let us know.