The production of snuff bottles arose in the early Qing dynasty (1644–1911), and developed into one of the most significant aspects of Chinese decorative arts as the habit of taking snuff grew. Snuff (powdered tobacco mixed with aromatic substances) was believed to have medicinal properties and was used as a remedy for colds and headaches, among other symptoms. The bubble-suffused glass body of this snuff bottle is overlaid on each side with fruits in red, orange and green on leafy stems, issuing from blue rocks around the foot.
