鼻烟壶,这个西方世界的舶来品在中国的发展也算是一个传奇:在17世纪,欧洲人率先从美国入口鼻烟,再由商旅传入亚洲,引入闻鼻烟的习惯。中国用家发现由于亚洲气候潮湿,传统西方鼻烟盒难以妥善储存鼻烟,故其后中国工艺师自制小巧且密封的小瓶,让鼻烟可以存放在一个干爽的环境之内。而中国的能工巧匠和文人雅士们,更赋予了它与众不同的艺术气息。在这样一个小小的世界里,可以集诸多诗书画印、雕刻镶嵌于一身,不得不说是中国文化的一个奇异载体。 Snuff bottles, the development of exotic goods in this western world, are also legendary in China. In the 17th century, Europeans took the lead in importing snuff from the United States and then traveling to Asia from business trips to introduce snuff. Chinese users found that because of the humid climate in Asia, traditional snuff boxes were difficult to properly store snus, Chinese craftmen then made small, sealed vials to keep snus in a dry environment. China’s skilled artisans and literati as well as its unique artistic atmosphere. In such a small world, you can put together many poems, paintings, sculptures and engravings in one body. I must say that it is a singular carrier of Chinese culture.