This is a unique and beautiful piece – an antique snuff bottle from the Victorian Era that would be attached to a chatelaine. These intricate bottles, made from diverse materials like porcelain, ivory, and even jade, emerged in China in the 18th century as a practical, miniature alternative to traditional European snuff boxes and became status symbols for the elite. Later, the late 19th century saw the development of the technically challenging inside-painted snuff bottle, a purely artistic form that marked the decline of the utilitarian snuff bottle as tobacco usage shifted to cigarettes in the early 20th century.

Chatelaine are a decorative, functional accessory consisting of a belt-hook with attached chains, used for carrying various items like keys, watches, scissors, and notebooks, with its origins in medieval times as a symbol of a household’s “lady of the castle”. Over centuries, it evolved from a tool for household management and security into a fashionable jewelry piece, especially for women who lacked pockets in their clothing, and was popular from the 17th to the early 20th century before declining in use due to the rise of handbags and integrated clothing pockets.

Circa: 1860 – 1880s | Origin: Europe | List Price: SOLD | Shipping: $6