Snuff Bottles, how do I know what it could be worth, identifying?

[xmelax38]

My title is dumb, I know. I wasn't sure what to put there. I have a snuff bottle I bought at an auction (well sort of, it was a local auction and I did live bidding - my husband was there, but I stayed home to do my bidding). Anyway, this auction really did not have a lot of people there, from what I was told by my husband I could have got a lot of stuff cheaper than I did online - couldn't go though.

Anyway, I bought this snuff bottle at what I thought was a great price. Now I am rethinking the whole thing. I had put in ebay search for past results the same exact description the auctioneer had for it and only a few of that type came up. The one I have does not look like them exactly. It is very small and I think very cute. We put it on ebay with a large amt & with an obo. I kept changing it back and forth between auction and buy it now.  So I got to looking at others under just "chinese snuff bottle" and there were some on there for 4.50 that sold and up to 400 or more. How do I know what kind of snuff bottle I have? I mean, how do I know if it is reproduction or if it is worth a good amount? It appears to possibly have some brown stuff in the bottom of it, inside. I am affixing photos. Sorry if this all sounds confusing, as I am confused myself.

Thank you all ahead of time.

[mart]

You need the glass people on this one !!  Very unusual but I have no idea what type of glass to call it !!  Although I have read about something that sounded similar,, if I can remember where !!

[xmelax38]

Thank you. they had probably 10 (I think) at the auction. It was someone's whole collection. There was something about this one that made me bid on it. I bud on 2 others but lost out and probably as well, because I ended up going over my limit. My husband got some nice antiques to make the house look nice and I ended up with some junk and this, ha ha. I always spend too much - it's an addiction when you get into the bidding war.

[KC]

Is the bottle made out of glass or is it made out of carved agate?  Many were made of agate with cameos carved into them.

[xmelax38]

I thought so at first but the auctioneer said it was a snuff bottle and it had the bamboo type scoop on it, plus what might be tobacco in the bottom of it.

[xmelax38]

Is the bottle made out of glass or is it made out of carved agate?  Many were made of agate with cameos carved into them.

It looks like agate to us, and that's what they said it was.

[bigwull]

mind you with a little spoon like that it could well be used for sticking powder up yer hooter...

[mart]

Many actually did sniff tobacco/snuff !!

[KC]

That's exactly what it was used for...

[bigwull]

but did,nt they put it on the back of their hand then snort....

[xmelax38]

Oh wow and ewe! I couldn't imagine putting anything up my nose. I am afraid of nose spray. No way would I ever put that up my nose. I wonder what made them think back then to put that up their nose.

[bigwull]

I know what you mean..I was at the hospital recently..and the Dr...put a tube up my nostril..and then down into my throat...it had a camera on the end of it...it sure brought tears to my eye,s...and a good deal of gagging in my throat....

[xmelax38]

I can feel ya there! Not a good experience.

[KC]

Wikipedia "Snuff is a product made from ground or pulverised tobacco leaves. It is an example of smokeless tobacco. It originated in the Americas and was in common use in Europe by the 17th century.

It is generally insufflated (inhaled) or "snuffed" through the nose either directly from the fingers or by using specially made "snuffing" devices. There is a general misconception associated with "the snuff sniff." The nicotine in snuff is absorbed through the mucus membrane, so a pinch of snuff only needs to get into the nose. Most snuffers agree that if the snuff gets into the sinuses, one is inhaling too strongly....."

That put in the mouth is a "Chaw of Ta'bacco" as said by the Texans!

[xmelax38]

That is interesting! Thank you for sharing that.