Snuff Bottle
Object NameSnuff Bottle
DateEarly 20th century
OriginChina
MediumCopper, carved red lacquer
Dimensions2 15/16 × 2 × 1 in. (7.5 × 5.1 × 2.5 cm)
Other: 3/8 in. (1 cm) diameter
ClassificationsSnuff Bottles and Boxes
Credit LineGift of Ann and Henry Brunnier. In the Ann and Henry Brunnier Collection, Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Object number11.2.34ab
Status
Not on viewCollections
Label TextThe earliest known Chinese snuff bottles were made of brass, between 1646 and 1653, during the Shun Zhi period (1644-1661). It is said that when Emperor Kang Xi (1654-1722) celebrated his sixtieth birthday he was given two bottles of snuff by Jesuit missionaries. By the Qing Long period, a number of enameled snuff bottles were produced for the use of the imperial household. On the bottom are incised marks filled with blue enamel indicating the reign during which they were manufactured. Today these bottles are considered the finest and rarest specimens.
Locations
- (not entered) Iowa State University, Brunnier Art Museum
