Snuff Bottle with a Scene from the Dream of the Red Chamber

This Chinese porcelain snuff bottle is painted in overglaze enamels and dates to the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), specifically the Jiaqing reign mark and period (1796–1820). The vessel measures 8.3 cm in height and 3.3 cm in diameter. It features an upright, cylindrical body with gently rounded shoulders, a flat base, and a short cylindrical neck fitted with a stopper composed of an orange rounded finial over a light green collar.

The exterior is decorated with a detailed narrative scene illustrating an episode from the novel Dream of the Red Chamber. Set within an architectural interior, the composition portrays multiple figures dressed in traditional robes gathered around banquet tables set with food and drink. The setting includes decorative hanging lanterns, latticed windows, drapery, and a patterned tiled floor. The neck is adorned with a band of blue patterning, and the shoulder displays a radiating collar of fine painted strokes.