China, Qing Dynasty, Glazed Porcelain Snuff Bottle, Eighteen Arhats (Original Followers of Buddha)

• Origin: China, Late Qing Dynasty (19th century CE)
• Date: 1800s CE
• Size: 3.1 inches tall
• Notes: This 19th-century Qing dynasty snuff bottle features the Eighteen Arhats (the original followers of Gautama Buddha) meticulously rendered in high-relief using molded porcelain techniques. Decorated in vibrant famille rose enamels, the piece is rich in color and full of life. Chinese snuff bottles became prominent during the Qing dynasty (1644–1912), a time when tobacco smoking was initially banned outright. In fact, Emperor Kangxi once imposed the death penalty for possession of tobacco. However, powdered tobacco, or snuff, was eventually accepted—partly due to its perceived medicinal benefits and because it wasn’t smoked. As snuff use spread among the elite, artisans began crafting ornate bottles to carry it. These bottles, made from jade, porcelain, glass, and other materials, became both functional containers and symbols of status, with the finest examples produced in imperial workshops for the court.

All purchases include a Certificate of Authenticity. You will receive the exact item in the photos.