In Chinese aesthetics, a keen visual appreciation of an object and an employment of its tangible qualities are of equal importance.

Colorful, dainty and beautiful in their minute detail, snuff bottles - called "bi yan ping" by the Chinese date back to the 17th century. This was when the practice of taking snuff; finely ground tobaccos mixed with mint, camphor, jasmine and other aromatic herbs and flowers, became the fashion of China's wealthy class.

The craftsmanship lavished upon these exquisite bottles almost surpasses belief. They are seldom more than 2 or 3 inches in height, yet they posses excellence found in larger objects of art. Of a size easily held in hand carried within the sleeves and folds of the pocket less garments of their day, they were even worn intimately upon the person as adornment or worn in pouches suspended from belts.

Under the emperors K'ang-Hsi, Yung Cheng and Ch'ien Lung artisans crafted exquisite snuff bottles from a wide range of materials; using a variety of techniques.

Examples presented will consist of gem, fossil, stone, glass, rock, peking glass, metal, porcelain, ivory, inside painted, organic, amber, enameled and other.