During the peak of his power, Emperor Chien Lung, who was a great patron of the arts, ordered seven of his workshops to manufacture a wide range of snuff bottles. These eventually became treasures much sought after by the rich.
雅好藝術的乾隆皇帝，最喜歡鼻煙壺的巧作，曾令他設置的七個藝坊大量製作各式各樣的鼻煙壺，於是五色並陳，爭奇鬥妍的鼻煙壺，在實用的功能外，更進而成為藝術的精品，成為王公大臣、富商巨賈收藏的對象。