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- Snuff Bottle undecorated � Tabatiere non
decoree � Qing dynasty, late 19th/early 20th century � tiger's eye stone � Gift of the Joy DeWeese-Wehen Estate, AGGV 2003.004.023
beauty and sophistication. In their miniature treasures, the Chinese and Japanese show their love of nature, of symbolism and of tradition. As a whole, miniature arts in China and Japan stand the test of magnification with much success.
Without exception, all the miniature art types discussed in this publication were collected by foreigners who helped popularize, stimulate and prolong the various miniature arts and crafts of China and Japan. A result of their recognition of the excellence and collectibility of these small treasures was the eventual promotion, preservation, and appreciation of this art form in China and Japan, both of which had for a time abandoned it as irrelevant. Large collections of these miniature arts have been built up in museum and private collections around the world and not just in their native countries.
Chinese Snnff Bottles
Tobacco and then snuff were first brought to China during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) by Europeans in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. During the early part of the Qing dynasty there was an attempt to ban smoking tobacco, but not snuff, due to the latter's therapeutic significance. Snuff consisted of dried tobacco leaves ground into a fine powder and blended with herbs, spices and various aromatic substances. Chinese snuff had mint, camphor, jasmine and an essence of rose. It was considered a medicine and thought to improve one's feeling of well being, curing a wide variety of diseases. It was used to treat nasal/ sinus congestion, dissipate colds, provide relief from migraines, ease tooth pain, relieve pain in the eyes and throat trouble, cause sweats, help relieve asthma, aid digestion and help with intestinal ailments like constipation. Snuff came to play an important social role in the lives of the upper class in China.
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