Snuff Bottle
Unknown Artist
Medium
Peking glass
Dimensions
H. 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm)
Classification
Snuff Bottles
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–95)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Edmund C. Converse, 1921
Accession Number
21.175.308a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite snuff bottle, crafted from Peking glass during the Qianlong period (1736–95) of China's Qing dynasty (16441911), exemplifies the era's masterful blend of artistry and luxury. Standing just 2 7/8 inches tall, its petite form was designed for portability, allowing elites to carry finely ground tobacco snuff—a habit introduced by Europeans and enthusiastically adopted by Manchu emperors. Peking glass, produced in Beijing workshops, mimicked the prized translucency of jade or porcelain through innovative layering and molding techniques, often yielding vibrant colors and intricate mo...