Oriental - Chinese Snuff Bottles

Snuff was introduced into China early in the Ch’ing Dynasty (1600 to 1910). To keep the snuff dry and to prevent it spilling, it was contained in small bottles with a cork-ringed stopper into which a tiny spoon was fitted. The snuff was taken by spooning it onto the left thumbnail, on which it was brought to the nose.

An enormous variety of different types of snuff were made - from carved jade and other stones, to painted glass, metal and porcelain. The Chinese soon became avid collectors of the various types of snuff bottles. Since the Second World War, the hobby has spread to the West and sought-after examples have become very valuable.

Exquisite workmanship can be seen in many of these bottles. Imagine the skill of a painter able to paint a delicate pattern on the inside of a tiny glass bottle; or of a carver able to carve a hard stone, like jade or rock crystal, right up into the shoulders on the inside of the tiny bottle.

Jade snuff bottle   Rock crystal snuff bottle   Porcelain snuff bottle   Agate snuff bottle

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Oriental - Chinese Lacquerware

Lacquer is the sap from the sumac, or lacquer, tree. It has been used in China for decorative purposes since the Han Dynasty (618 to 907 A.D.)

Basically, lacquerwork is produced by applying very many coats of lacquer over a mould until the required form is created. It lends itself to a wide variety of decorative techniques.

Two uniquely Chinese techniques are coromandel and cinnabar.

 Early 19th century cinnebar lacquer snuff bottle

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Oriental - Chinese Furniture

A wide variety of miniature furniture has been found in Han Dynasty tombs. This includes chairs, tables, cupboards and chests. It is made with sophisticated, flowing lines, not unlike modern bentwood furniture. The pieces are made of rich, fine-grained hardwoods, like ebony, rosewood and sandalwood, polished to a high finish and with little, if any, carving. Teak, which is often thought of in the West as a traditional Chinese timber was not used until the 19th century and then only in items intended for export. Lacquer was used but the technique was so time-consuming and expensive that it was found in quantity only in palaces.

Ming Dynasty k'ang

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Oriental - Chinese Ivory

The term "ivory" embraces a number of materials but usually refers to elephant or walrus tusk. These are easily worked, have a close grain, a natural lustre and a smoothness that makes them ideal for small objects.

From the 10th century, China traded through the port of Ch’uan-chou with Arabs who brought ivory from Africa  A substantial trade built up, particularly during the later years of the Ming Dynasty. Numerous ivory carvings have been attributed to this period, especially the long, gracefully carved ivory figures which retain the natural lines of the tusk..

 Carved ivory screen (early 18th century)

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Oriental - China - History & Dynasties

Shang Dynasty (1523 - 1028 BC)

The earliest know historical dynasty in Bronze Age China was the Shang.

The Shang were ruled by a powerful king who was also a religious leader. They worshipped natural phenomena, such as rivers, mountains and points of the compass. Sacrifices of animals and, sometimes, human prisoners of war were made to these gods for rain and good harvests This was done with considerable ceremony, including divination with the aid of bones or tortoise shells.

   

Chou Dynasty (1028 - 476 BC)

The Chou developed in parallel with the Shang to whom they paid tribute throughout the Shang Dynasty. Gradually, the military power of the Cho overtook that of the Shang until, during the reign of Di Yi, they attacked and destroyed the Shang kingdom. The Chou assimilated the art and culture of their predecessors.

The Chou Dynasty is divided into two periods:
• The Western Chou 1026 - 770 B.C. and
• The Spring and Autumn Period 770 - 476 B.C.

However, the Eastern Chou Dynasty, which succeeded the western Chou in part of China continued from 770 B.C. until 221 B.C.

 

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Fabrics - Rugs - Chinese

Simplicity of design, serenity of composition, a limited range of subdued and harmonious colours, usually blue or yellow in many shades. Symbolic motifs characterise traditional Chinese rugs. Frequently recurring designs in Chinese rugs include geometrics such as the familiar meander border; animals including various dragon forms, Fu dogs, storks, cranes, butterflies, and bats; realistic flowers; Taoist and Buddhist symbols; natural forms including clouds, water, and mountains; and many permutations of round medallions.

During the 19th century, rugs were made for export. These usually had a central dragon or ornate floral motif. At the end of the 19th century, aniline dyes replaced natural ones producing harsh and often garish colour schemes, with blue, gold and rose being the most common colours.

Chinese rug

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