Artistry in miniature

24th April 2025

Snuff was first introduced by Europeans to China in the late 16th Century and became adopted by the Chinese Imperial court for its perceived medicinal purposes. Initially imported in square boxes, a more practical solution for storing the fine, scented powder was required, both to keep the tobacco dry in more humid conditions and close to hand for frequent use. According to the International Snuff Bottle Society, it is likely that the earliest Chinese snuff bottles were based on medicine bottles for storing drugs.

In 1696, the fourth Qing Emperor, Kangxi (1661-1722), established an Imperial glass atelier which was supervised by a German Jesuit missionary, Father Killian Stumpf (1655-1720). Resulting imperial glass and painted enamel bottles from the early 18^th century show the influence of the Jesuit missionaries at court and an Imperial fascination with Western technical advances. These precious vessels, generally measuring between one-and-a-half and three inches high, illustrate the technical virtuosity of Qing dynasty craftsmen. Later 19th-century versions reveal how earlier Imperial tastes became popular with the general public as the use of snuff became widespread in Qing society.

Close to a hundred snuff bottles, consigned from three significant private collections, are included in the Fine Asian Art and Asian Art II sales on 20^th and 21^st May. With impeccable provenance, they date from the mid 18^th to early 20^th centuries with many dating from around 1800. Carved jade, agate, amethyst, rose quartz, malachite, bamboo, hornbill and lacquer examples sit alongside painted porcelain, rock crystal and glass bottles with interior painted, overlaid and carved glass decoration.

Chairman and Asian Art specialist John Axford said; “We are delighted to present three collections of Chinese snuff bottles, many of which are of outstanding quality and provenance. Several pieces have passed through the hands of the world’s most renowned snuff bottle collectors and have remained out of the public market for over half a century.”

Lot 26 was formerly part of the celebrated George and Mary Bloch collection, originally dispersed via auction for record breaking prices in Hong Kong in 2011. Other highlights of the sale include signed, interior painted snuff bottles by Ma Shaoxuan and Zhou Leyuan. Many of the lots consigned in this sale were sourced from world renowned snuff bottle dealers and collectors; Robert Kleiner, Robert Hall and Hugh Moss. One of the three collections offered in the May sale was formed in Hong Kong in the 1950s and 1960s, with some lots accompanied by original receipts.

These snuff bottles will be sold in seventy lots across the Fine Asian Art and Asian Art II sales on 20^th and 21^st May, with pre-sale estimates ranging from £100-£3,000 (before fees) and the catalogues are available to browse on our website.