Snuff bottle with stopper
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Agate
Dimensions
H. 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm)
Classification
Snuff Bottles
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902
Accession Number
02.18.973a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite snuff bottle with stopper, crafted from agate during China's Qing dynasty (16441911), exemplifies the refined artistry of 18th–19th century luxury goods. Standing just 2½ inches (6.4 cm) tall, these vessels were designed for portability, allowing elites—particularly Manchu rulers, officials, and scholars—to carry and enjoy powdered tobacco snuff, a fashionable import from Europe introduced in the 17th century. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Art Department as a gift from Heber. Bishop in 1902, it highlights the era's blend of practicality and opulence. Carved from tr...