Snuff bottles containing a powdery tobacco believed to cure numerous illnesses and were popular during the Qing dynasty. This tiny bottle depicts 'The Tale of the White Snake', one of China’s best-known folk tales. The story is still portrayed in opera, movies and TV serials and has been widely adapted in other media. Here the protagonists Bai Suzhen and Xiaoqing, two young women known as snake sisters, are shown on a boat, their swords poised to rescue Bai’s lover Xu Xian. He can be seen in Jingshan temple(金山寺) where he was imprisoned by the vengeful monk Fahai. Despite using her special power to flood the temple and surrounds, Bai fails to save Xu on this attempt.