The Imperial Connection (Court Related Chinese Snuff Bottles the Humphrey K.F. Hui & Peter Y.K. Lam)

English text.; Hardcover (with dust jacket in slipcase).; 24.5 x 31 cm.; 2 kg.; 255 pages with colour illustrations.; Used with signs of wear on the exterior and interior. The slipcase shows signs of wear and is faded on the sides and is cloth is slightly ungluing at the bottom. The dust jacket shows wear marks, edge wear, scuffs and scratches, small tear at the bottom of the spine, the edges are slightly bumped. Interior with wear marks, namely on the first and last gilded pages. Pen written signature and dedication to previous owner.; Snuff, a powdered tobacco often enhanced with aromatic essences and spices, was imported into China during the mid 17th century. In order to prevent humidity getting into the snuff, bottles for holding snuff were specially made to replace the small medicine bottles used previously. Through continuous development of forms, workmanship and the use of materials throughout the reigns of Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong, the bottles had branched out as a distinguished art form. This miniature art which encompasses organic materials, metal, nephrite, stones, glass and ceramics and decorated with all art forms and motifs is a microcosm of the entire traditional Chinese culture as well as their superior artistry. The 139 bottles in this catalogue are selected from the Humphrey K.F.Hui Collection, sharing a collective theme of "Court-related". All the bottles possess the provenance of the Qing Emperors and their entourage, including the court officials. 86 pieces are with imperial poems or inscriptions, reign marks, imperial and private hall marks and are valuable documentary pieces in the study of Chinese snuff bottles.…