Chinese craftsman's dedication to snuff bottle painting

Chinese craftsman's dedication to snuff bottle painting  
                               
In the late 17th century, European merchants and envoys introduced the aromatic tobacco mixture to China known as snuff.

Before entering China, snuff was typically stored in boxes. Chinese craftsmen created airtight bottles to protect against the local climate, where snuff was prone to dry out. Though the use of snuff bottles has gradually disappeared since the early 20th century when cigarettes became available, the small tobacco containers, with exquisite paintings inside, can still be found all over China now, becoming an object of artistic fascination