I found this wonderful old Chinese glass perfume or snuff bottle in China. It is green glass with a raised white dragon done in great detail. I have put a 18k gold vermeil collar around the neck of the bottle with a loop so it can be worn as a pendant necklace. The dragon wraps around the entire bottle which is 1 1/2” wide. The bottle drops 4” from a natural black leather cord that is adjustable from 15” to 30” so it can be worn a variety of lengths. This is a fabulous one of a kind piece to wear or to decorate your home when you are not wearing it.

Snuff bottles were originally used during the Qing Dynasty to carry powder tobacco as smoking was illegal during that time. Snuff was considered a medicine and a treatment for all kinds of ailments including colds, stomach aches and headaches. Once smoking was legal these prized possessions became collector’s items. Often, the imagery carved on the bottles held was very symbolic. Those carved with a dragon are most highly valued.

The dragon is the imperial emblem of the Emperors in China, especially from the from the Han period where their coat of arms shows two dragons fighting for the fiery pearl. The dragon is a supernatural creature and is the symbol of power, strength, wisdom and goodness. It represents the utmost in accomplishment: good luck and a successful life. It is also believed to be the guardian of hidden treasures. It represents the spirit of growth and change.