Snuff bottle in the shape of a butterfly

Snuff bottle in the shape of a butterfly

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The butterfly is cherished for its beauty and is a common theme, associated with joy and delight, in Chinese art. Fashioning an object such as this snuff bottle into the shape of a butterfly exemplifies the skill and imagination of the designer.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Snuff bottle in the shape of a butterflySnuff bottle in the shape of a butterflySnuff bottle in the shape of a butterflySnuff bottle in the shape of a butterflySnuff bottle in the shape of a butterfly

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.