tiny genies: Chinese 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'. Our family's collection of snuff bottles, made of porcelain and red lacquer, seemed like just the kind of vessel that might contain a pocket-sized version of the wish-granting jinn.

Red lacquer bottle showing children at play
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!

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

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

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

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

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.

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!