Chinese Snuff Bottles in the Collection of Mary and George Bloch

Chinese snuff bottles rank amongst the finest examples of the decorative arts of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). During the late 17th and 18th centuries snuff-taking was one of the most popular court indulgences and the finest craftsmen were charged with producing small snuff-containers of the most exquisite quality in every conceivable material. This catalogue illustrates and discusses more than 400 snuff bottles, including many of the very rare examples enamelled on glass and copper within the Palace workshops. There are complete sections illustrating almost all the known varieties of snuff bottle, including those made of jade, hardstone, and semi-precious materials such as coral, porcelain and metal. These varieties are discussed within the context of Chinese decorative arts as a whole and this book finishes with a section describing a group of bottles with scenes painted on the interior. This catalogue has been published to accompany an exhibition opening at the British Museum in June 1995.

350 pages, colour, English, 29.5 x 22.5 x 5 cm

Hardcover

Published in 1995

ISBN: ‎0714114650

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