Set of two Snuff bottles, Beijing, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century.

Set of two Snuff bottles, Beijing, China, Qing dynasty, nineteenth century.
Carved glass.
Measurements: 6 x 3 x 2 cm; 5 x 9,5 x 2,5 cm.
Set consists of two snuff bottles made of cut glass. This type of snuff bottle became widespread from the seventeenth century to store snuff type tobacco introduced by the Portuguese throughout the previous century. Tobacco became widespread in China among the upper classes as a medicine for a wide range of ailments: asthma, throat ailments and the evil eye. When it became a fashion, small containers were created and were the object of profuse ornamentation, becoming, in some cases, true works of art.