- Snuff Bottle -- Snuff's Chinese Vessel -

"For centuries Chinese had used small bottles (yao-ping) to store their medicine. By adding a top with a cork and small spoon to the medicine bottle the Chinese invented the Snuff Bottle."

"During the time of the Qing Dynasty the taking of snuff became popular throughout China and was used at all levels of society from the Emperor to the common people."

"The feudal nobles, led by the Emperor, looked for precious materials from which to have craftsmen make Snuff Bottles."

"The collectors of the world believe that Snuff Bottles embodies many of the arts and crafts of the Chinese."

"Snuff Bottles are divided into six material types... Metal, Jade, Organic, Ceramics, Glassware and Inside Painting."