Go to main content
 
Hong Kong Museum of Art receives donation of internationally renowned Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles from Christopher and Josephine Sin (with photos)
******************************************************************************************
     The Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) today (September 28) announced that Mrs Josephine Sin, the wife of the late Hong Kong collector Mr Christopher Sin, has generously donated nearly 500 pieces from the Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles for the museum's permanent collection. This donation stands as the most extensive and comprehensive of its kind ever received by a museum in Hong Kong. The donation would immensely enrich the HKMoA's Chinese Antiquities collection, solidifying its status as a leading centre for the collection and study of Chinese artefacts. The HKMoA will launch a special exhibition in 2024, featuring the entirety of this significant donation. The museum will also establish a permanent display for this donation.

     The Fuyun Xuan Collection, an important private collection in Hong Kong, was established by Mr Sin in 1989 and is now recognised as one of the most important private collections of snuff bottles in the world. This generous donation from Mr Sin's lifelong collection encompasses a wide array of pieces in various forms, materials, designs and craftsmanship, encapsulating the essence of Chinese snuff bottle artistry in its resplendent breadth and depth.

     Mr Sin was an active member of the International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society and was known for his tireless dedication to promoting the collection of snuff bottles. Within the collection is a double-gourd-shaped glass snuff bottle with floral design in painted enamels on yellow ground, which Mr Sin insisted on acquiring even in his final days, showcasing his deep fascination with snuff bottles and earning him the nickname "Snuff Bottle Enthusiast" among other collectors. Mr Sin actively participated in organising exhibitions all over the world to make his remarkable collection accessible to a wider public. In the spirit of his generosity, this donation has provided the public a rare opportunity to appreciate these precious cultural gems.

     In the 17th century, the introduction of snuff into China led to the emergence of small bottles for holding snuff, which gained popularity throughout the Qing dynasty and evolved from practical vessels into fashionable icons of exquisite craft. The small and delicate snuff bottle encompasses a wide range of craftsmanship and materials, including jade, porcelain, glassware, lacquerware, calabash, enamelware, and inside-painted varieties, making it a miniature embodiment of Chinese art and craft history.
 
Ends/Thursday, September 28, 2023
Issued at HKT 17:15
NNNN
Archives   Yesterday's Press Releases  
Back to Index Page
Back to top
Today's Press Releases  

Photo

The Hong Kong Museum of Art today (September 28) announced that Christopher and Josephine Sin generously donated nearly 500 pieces of Chinese snuff bottles from the Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles for the museum's permanent collection. This donation stands as the most extensive and comprehensive of its kind ever received by a museum in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Museum of Art today (September 28) announced that Christopher and Josephine Sin generously donated nearly 500 pieces of Chinese snuff bottles from the Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles for the museum's permanent collection. This donation stands as the most extensive and comprehensive of its kind ever received by a museum in Hong Kong. Picture shows a selection of items from the Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles.
The Hong Kong Museum of Art today (September 28) announced that Christopher and Josephine Sin generously donated nearly 500 pieces of Chinese snuff bottles from the Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles for the museum's permanent collection. Picture shows the newly donated double-gourd-shaped glass snuff bottle with floral design in painted enamels on yellow ground. This particular snuff bottle, which Mr Sin insisted on acquiring even in his final days, showcases his deep fascination with snuff bottles.
The Hong Kong Museum of Art today (September 28) announced that Christopher and Josephine Sin generously donated nearly 500 pieces of Chinese snuff bottles from the Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles for the museum's permanent collection. Picture shows the newly donated glass snuff bottle carved with magpies and plums design in double overlay on light rouge ground. Overlay glass was an original creation of the Qing court.
The Hong Kong Museum of Art today (September 28) announced that Christopher and Josephine Sin generously donated nearly 500 pieces of Chinese snuff bottles from the Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles for the museum's permanent collection. Picture shows the newly donated gold snuff bottle with scene of mother and children in painted enamels. With precious gold as its body, this bottle is rare among painted enamel metalware.
The Hong Kong Museum of Art today (September 28) announced that Christopher and Josephine Sin generously donated nearly 500 pieces of Chinese snuff bottles from the Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles for the museum's permanent collection. Picture shows the newly donated black jade snuff bottle with scholars and peach design. The artisan's unique craftsmanship is amply reflected through the delicate relief carving incorporating the natural colours and texture of the dark jade into its composition.
The Hong Kong Museum of Art today (September 28) announced that Christopher and Josephine Sin generously donated nearly 500 pieces of Chinese snuff bottles from the Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles for the museum's permanent collection. Picture shows the newly donated coupled-vase-shaped snuff bottle with imperial poem and floral design in "fencai" enamels. The bottle is in the form of a double vase from the imperial kiln of the Qing dynasty, decorated on each side with two sets of reserved panels, within which poems written by Emperor Qianlong are inscribed, encapsulating the emperor's aesthetic taste.
The Hong Kong Museum of Art today (September 28) announced that Christopher and Josephine Sin generously donated nearly 500 pieces of Chinese snuff bottles from the Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles for the museum's permanent collection. Picture shows the newly donated double-gourd-shaped ivory snuff bottle carved with gourds design. This bottle is carved from ivory in the form of a thin gourd. This miniature bottle is carved in low relief with nearly 40 gourds and bats patterns, demonstrating exceptional craftmanship.
The Hong Kong Museum of Art today (September 28) announced that Christopher and Josephine Sin generously donated nearly 500 pieces of Chinese snuff bottles from the Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles for the museum's permanent collection. Picture shows the newly donated rock crystal snuff bottle, inside-painted with a portrait of Duan Fang. The portrait, created by Ma Shaoxuan, a master of inner painting, vividly captures the likeness of this prominent statesman from the late Qing dynasty.
The Hong Kong Museum of Art today (September 28) announced that Christopher and Josephine Sin generously donated nearly 500 pieces of Chinese snuff bottles from the Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles for the museum's permanent collection. Picture shows the newly donated glass snuff bottle inside-painted with flowers and birds design, painted by Wang Xisan in 1968. Wang met Mr Sin in 1992 and added an inscription as a testament to the invaluable friendship between a collector and a master artisan.