Three Chinese Famille Rose porcelain snuff bottles with green stone stoppers, featuring floral and bird motifs on both sides.

Porcelain snuff bottles have a rich history that dates back to imperial China, where they were primarily used during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). These small vessels, typically crafted from porcelain but also made from other materials like glass, jade, and metal, were used to hold powdered tobacco, or snuff, which was inhaled through the nostrils.

The use of snuff, introduced to China from Europe in the 17th century, became popular among the Chinese elite as a social and recreational activity. Snuff bottles served both a practical purpose of carrying the powdered tobacco and as decorative objects that showcased the owner’s wealth, status, and taste.