tiny genies: snuff bottles at the Met

In the first translation of the 1001 Nights, Aladdin and his magical genie actually came from ‘a city of cities in China’.

red lacquer bottle with children at play Metropolitan Museum of Art

Our family’s collection of snuff bottles, made of porcelain and various carved stone, seemed like just the kind of vessel that might contain a pocket-sized version of the wish-granting jinn.

exhibition objects, Metropolitan Museum of Art

The large collection of tiny treasures at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art drew us like covetous magpies. So small and shiny!

snuff bottles made of semi precious stones

The bottles ranged from simple and smooth, showing off the colours in the stone, to intricately carved with stands to match.

miniature mountain representing the mythical realm Penglai

Snuff, a mixture of ground tobacco and fragrant herbs meant to be inhaled by the pinch, was introduced to China by Europeans during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911).

Snuff bottle depicting the Immortal Liu Hai, late 18th–early 19th century

Chinese artisans were quick to create tiny bottles with airtight stoppers, making snuff both portable and easy to dispense.

butterfly shaped snuff bottle, China, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century

Its medicinal and stimulating properties led the Chinese to adopt it on every level of society, from sailors and merchants to the Emperor and his court.

carved polychrome lacquer bottle with squirrels

Snuff bottles became a form of art, the quality of materials and carving indicating the owner’s status.

snuff bottle with landscape, Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)

At first the Chinese bottles imitated European snuff boxes, made in metal, glass and porcelain and painted with delicate scenes, the makers often supervised by European artists.

snuff bottle with lion dog

Soon enough they developed a distinctly Chinese character, carved in semiprecious stones and decorated with carvings of lucky symbols.

amethyst snuff bottle, with figure in garden

For years we collected and admired these little treasures, and as usually happens with our obsessions we began to include them in our art as well.

Like doors and masks, these tiny vessels hold a mystery and an aesthetic that will always appeal to us.

two monkeys on a rock snuff bottle

We hope this post will inspire others as well. Whether to collect, appreciate or draw, hopefully you can find little treasures that hold a special meaning to you!

blue and red snuff bottles

Originally published at http://woaworld.blogspot.com.