Some Information About Snuff Bottles:

Snuff bottles are miniature bottles.usually 1 inch to 4 inches tall.  These small bottles usually have matching tops with attached bone or ivory spoons.  Snuff bottles are made of many materials and styles.  Some of which are:  Bone, Wood, Ivory, Metal, Agate, Turquoise, Cameo Agate, Peking Glass, Multi-layered Peking Glass, Inside Painted, Stone and Wood.  Stone, wood, glass, and ivory snuff bottles may be smooth or intricately carved. 

There are many different beliefs as to who introduced the use of tobacco to the Chinese. I have read that tobacco was brought to China by the Russians, Manchu, Portuguese, and the Jesuit Priests. I would venture to say that it is likely that it was introduced in different regions, by different people, around the same time. That time would be the early to mid 1600's. Snuff was considered a more acceptable way of consuming tobacco than smoking. Snuff was originally stored in Snuff Boxes brought from the West, but the high humidity in China made them unusable. Thus the Snuff Bottle was invented. Actually, small glass bottles were used for medicine long before Snuff found its way into Chinese Society. Through the centuries the use of Snuff has been both embraced and condemned by the Emperors of China. In 1638 the use or sale of tobacco was illegal, yet a couple decades later, the finest craftsmen in the country were making Snuff Bottles for Empower. During the 1700's snuff increased in popularity among the Chinese, which created a great demand for Snuff Bottles. They became conversation pieces and collectable items almost immediately.

Scenes, people and symbols decorate the interior and exterior of snuff bottles.  Sometimes painted.sometimes carved.following are some of the symbols that may be found on snuff bottles and their meanings.

Symbolism:

The various symbols found on Asian works of art have quite a long history. Confusiousism, Taoism, and Buddhism each brought with them a complete set of beliefs, legends, and superstitions. To even attempt a complete listing would be a lifetime project. What we have done instead was to go through our inventory of product and research the meaning of each, compile the information we found, and present it here. We are continually adding to this section as we acquire new designs and find there meaning. If you have a design that you cannot figure out based on the information on our website, email us a picture and we will look it up for you. If we can't figure it out, we will forward it to our friends in Asia.

Chinese Dynasties:

Beginning in 221 BC and continuing until 1911, most of China was united under the rule of a single person; The Emperor. 157 Emperors have controlled the vast expanse known as the Middle Kingdom. Through China's long history, the borders have changed dramatically. During most periods, the land that makes up modern day China was actually several different kingdoms. The dynasties outlined in this section refer to only the dominant kingdom of the period. Many other kingdoms also existed within the borders of China during this time. Below is a list of the major dynasties.   Many snuff bottles are collected and/or identified by their style, materials and dynasty.

Qin Dynasty 221-207 BC

Han Dynasty 206 BC - 220 AD

Three Kingdoms 220-280

Period of Disunion 281-617

Tang Dynasty 618-907

Five Dynasties 908-960

Song Dynasty 960-1279

Yuan Dynasty 1279-1368

Ming Dynasty 1368-1644

Qing Dynasty 1644-1911

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