Miniature Vase

Art Historical Context

This exquisite Miniature Vase, in 19th-century Qing dynasty China, is a snuff bottle designed for carrying powdered tobacco—a luxury introduced by European traders and embraced by the Chinese elite. Standing just 2 5/8 inches (6.7 cm) tall, diminutive vessels were for their portability and served as status symbols among scholars and officials, who tapped out snuff through a tiny spoon. Produced during the late Qing period (1644–1912), when artisanal workshops flourished in cities like Jingdezhen, this piece exemplifies the era's mastery of miniature forms. Made from soft-paste porcelain—a fin...