The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Snuff Bottles)

This breathtaking collection —a continuation of the acclaimed Heirloom Project led by designer Madeline Weinrib—includes earrings and pendants referencing a selection of magnificent Chinese snuff bottles in the Museum’s holdings. Located in the Chinese Treasury, a little-known area of the museum displays such items found in Chinese treasure cabinets (duo bao ge) assembled throughout the late Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties.

Located in the Chinese Treasury, a little-known area of the museum displays such items found in Chinese treasure cabinets (duo bao ge) assembled throughout the late Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties.

Snuff bottles are exquisitely crafted vessels to carry finely ground tobacco leaves and aromatic herbs and spices introduced to China by European missionaries, envoys, and merchants in the second half of the 17th Century. With its medicinal and stimulating effects, it soon caught on with officials and even the emperor at the Qing dynasty court.