Snuff Bottle

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Aventurine glass, which was made by dissolving copper particles into the molten glass, was invented by the Venetian glass makers of Murano. It was introduced to China during the Kangxi reign (1662–1722) and immediately caught the imagination of the Qing court. These prized bottles were made by the Imperial Workshop and given as gifts or rewards.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art