China, Qing Dynasty, Rock Crystal Snuff Bottle with Hand Carved Gold Plated Floral Cover

• Origin: China, Qing Dynasty
• Date: 1750 - 1830 CE
• Size: 3.6 inches tall
• Notes: This antique snuff bottle is made from rock crystal, and features gilded gold mountings with intricately hand carved floral motifs. Though its original use was as a snuff bottle, the hinged golden cover was likely added at a later date so that it could instead be used as a perfume bottle. This item was sold at auction by Christie's in 2002, as part of The Blanche B. Extein Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles. Prior to that, it was part of the Hilda Somers collection, and acquired prior to 1952.
  
  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.