1740-1860

The slender form of the bottle and the refined carving along the narrow sides make this bottle rare among its type. The elongated and aligned segments give a painterly impression and suggest movement and mountains. Puddingstone is the general term for a conglomerate of sedimentary flint pebbles in a matrix of chert - both part of the quartz family. Bottles carved from this striking material come in a wide variety of colors, textures, sizes and shapes. The stone's appearance is not dissimilar to plum pudding, from which it derives its name. The variation in size of the pebbles sets up an attractive counterpoint to the beige matrix and the combination of shapes and sizes creates a strong design that compliments the simple and tactile form.

For a range of bottles in this material, see B. Stevens, The Collector's Book of Snuff Bottles, New York, 1976, nos. 609-17.