Antique Chinese Porcelain Snuff Bottle with Pink Peonies

Beautiful Qing Dynasty Chinese snuff bottle made of porcelain. Miniature paintings of pink peonies on each side. Peonies are native to China and are often called the 'king of flowers.' They were the national flower prior to 1929, when they were replaced by the plum tree. Peonies have been popular in China since the Sui and Tang dynasties, when they were planted at the Imperial Palace. Because of its royal connections, this flower is often associated with nobility, honor, and wealth.  The shuff bottle is missing a lid. Also please note a small chip to the paint on one of the flower petals (see last picture). This snuff bottle was not made for export and therefore is not marked at the bottom.  Measurements: Height: 2.5" (6.5 cm). Width: 1.8" (4.5 cm). Chinese snuff bottles were only made in the Qing Dynasty, which began in 1644 and ended in 1911. They were used exclusively for holding powdered tobacco, usually mixed with herbs and spices. The mixture was inhaled through the nose. Snu