Title
Pink snuff bottle
Year/Period
1770 - 1850
Region
Beijing
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 6.9 x 4.2 x 2.8 cm
Accession No.
2013-00422
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Doris and Franklin Chow in honour of Dr. Kenson Kwok, Founding Director of ACM
The production of snuff bottles arose in the early Qing dynasty (1644–1911), and developed into one of the most significant aspects of Chinese decorative arts as the habit of taking snuff grew. Snuff (powdered tobacco mixed with aromatic substances) was believed to have medicinal properties and was used as a remedy for colds and headaches, among other symptoms. Both snuffing and the creation of purpose-built containers first came into fashion in the imperial court. This ovoid bottle of pink glass is suffused with swirls of white. Glass was a popular material used for snuff bottles due to its versatility. Bottles in a dazzling array of colours could be created.
