Art of Gifting: The Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles

EVENT DESCRIPTION

In 2023, the Hong Kong Museum of Art received a generous donation from Mrs Josephine Sin comprising 490 sets of Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Fuyun Xuan Collection, which is the most extensive and comprehensive of its kind ever received by a museum in Hong Kong. Established by the late local collector Mr Christopher Sin, the Fuyun Xuan Collection is recognised as one of the most important private collections of snuff bottles in the world. Featuring the gems of Mr Sin’s lifelong collection, this donation represents a significant gift to Hong Kong from the donor couple.

Epitomising the finest skills and artistry of Chinese artisans, the small and delicate snuff bottles soon became popular among nobilities and high-ranking officials since emerging in the early Qing dynasty, and were often given as precious gifts in diplomatic, official and social settings. This exhibition will showcase the whole of this set of 490 Chinese snuff bottles from the Fuyun Xuan Collection donated by Mr Christopher Sin and Mrs Josephine Sin, and with the theme of gifting, we invite the audience to step into the unique, kaleidoscopic world of these miniature yet precious gifts.