Chinese Ducks Snuff Bottle

A glass snuff bottle featuring a hand-painted illustration of Chinese ducks surrounded by a floral pattern, made using the technique of Inside Glass Painting.  

The delicate decoration has been painted in reverse from within by inserting a bamboo hooked brush with just a few hairs at one end through the neck of the bottle. This exceptional technique and the unique quality of each illustration turns this collectable bottle into a stunning ornament, decoration or artistic piece for any home.

During the start of the Qing dynasty in 17^th century, the Chinese began to prize tobacco. Snuff bottles were worn in the lapel of the sleeve or in a silk bag at the waist. Tobacco was considered to be good for health and it was sniffed rather than smoked or chewed. Snuff bottles were initially made for the emperor and the court, but by the 18^th century, as the popularity of snuff spread through China, production of greater quantities allowed the public to collect the bottles which were equally admired for their functionality as well as their display as symbol of status.

A truly wonderful gift for lovers of craft.