Vintage Banded Malachite Snuff Bottle

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Prior to the 1950's, objects made of Malachite were encased in bronze ormolu, often associated with the royal palaces of … Read more Prior to the 1950's, objects made of Malachite were encased in bronze ormolu, often associated with the royal palaces of Europe, especially Russia where pieces of this beautiful green stone were specially cut to make into stairs in the royal palaces. The emergence of malachite snuff bottles after China became a Republic may be attributed to the China/Africa trades where the Chinese businessmen brought back these stones with striations in varying shades of rich green colors. Although this is a speculation on my part, but my theory may prove to be correct.** Quoting from a google search:"Malachite is a popular mineral with its intense green color and beautiful banded masses. The banded specimens are formed by massive, botryoidal, reniform, and especially stalactite Malachite that are dense intergrowths of tiny, fibrous needles. Dense banded specimens are often sliced and polished to bring out their beautiful coloring. The bands may consist of concentric rings with interesting patterns; such specimens are highly sought after. These concentric banded specimens are most commonly from African sources. "

The snuff bottle carver carefully planned the carving of this bottle which is of flattened shape with round shoulders that taper to the base ending in a nicely done oval foot. He planned to have parallel vertical bands of green from light to almost black and shades in between. To add interest and to break up the monotony of the vertical lines, he carved a ribbon towards the bottom half of the bottle. The ribbon wrapped around and then knotted in the middle on one side. The ribbon is very subtle.The top is flat and the cap is made of matching banded malachite with a metal spoon.

Pardon me for making up theories, you might have noticed this is what I often do. I spent five years in graduate studies at the University of Chicago. Although I am not working in my field of study, I cannot help but continue to practice what I was taught in Art History. If something cannot be explained, then look at it from all points of view and then theorize in a logical manner how it could possibly be. See less