This pair of antique Chinese porcelain snuff bottles features classic blue and white underglaze decoration with an intentional crackle (craquelure) glaze, a technique inspired by ancient Ge ware and commonly reproduced in Jingdezhen during the late Qing period. The bottles have a bulbous body tapering to a narrow, cylindrical neck, typical of snuff bottles designed to hold powdered tobacco, a popular item in Chinese culture since the 17th century.

The first bottle (approximately 4 inches tall and wide, weighing 11.7 ounces) displays abstract cloud-like or floral motifs in varying shades of cobalt blue, with some brownish staining from age and use. The second, slightly larger bottle (approximately 4 inches tall and slightly heavier, weighing 13.2 ounces) shows more intricate designs, possibly depicting figures, landscapes, or stylized foliage in blue against the creamy white ground. Both exhibit a fine network of crackles throughout the glaze, enhancing their antique aesthetic—often described as "gold thread and iron wire" patterns in Chinese connoisseurship, where finer and larger cracks intersect.

One bottle bears a clear underglaze blue mark on the base, stylized as the Chinese character "shou" (壽), symbolizing longevity and commonly used in decorative ceramics for auspicious purposes. This mark is often apocryphal (not necessarily indicating the exact reign but evoking imperial styles like Qianlong). The bases are unglazed with a brownish foot rim, showing firing marks and slight irregularities typical of handcrafted pieces. The necks appear rough or chipped, likely from original manufacturing or wear, but the bodies remain intact without major cracks or repairs.

Origin: China, likely produced in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province—the historic center of Chinese porcelain manufacturing.

Age: Late 19th to early 20th century (late Qing Dynasty to early Republic period, circa 1880-1920). The crackle glaze and blue-and-white style imitate earlier Song and Ming techniques but align with revival pieces from this era, as confirmed by similar auction examples.

Material: Hard-paste porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze decoration and transparent crackle glaze.

Condition: Good vintage condition overall, with age-appropriate wear. Minor chips and roughness to the neck rims on both; some surface stains, pitting, and glaze skips; no major structural damage, hairline cracks, or restorations visible. The crackle is intentional and stable, not indicative of damage. Suitable for display but handle with care due to delicacy.

Item dimensions of each bottle: 4" tall × 3.5" diameter

Weight of bottle #1: 13.2 oz

Weight of bottle #2: 11.7 oz