A rare gilt-bronze-mounted famille rose porcelain flower-bud-shaped circular snuff box and cover, Qianlong, circa 1760-1790. Photo courtesy Bonhams.

Naturalistically moulded in the form of a blossoming flower with mounted rims, the life-like petals intertwined and folded inwards atop each other, beautifully enamelled in vivid tones of red and rose pink, the detailed veins and stamens further highlighted in gilt, the interior revealing a raised node with a floral medallion decorated in puce enamel. 6.9cm wide; 7.2cm deep; 5.2cm high. Estimate HK$ 95,000 - 115,000 (€9,100 - 11,000)

This form is very unusual in Chinese porcelain. It closely simulates porcelain flower head boxes created in Europe at a number of leading factories including Chelsea, Meissen and the French softpaste kilns. The idea is very innovative in China, although the palette is familiar in 18th century Chinese enamelled porcelain. No other flower head snuff box made in Chinese porcelain appears to have been published.

In Europe, smaller boxes like this were not always used for snuff; another type of box is called a 'drageoir', and was used for comfits and sweet pastilles (they later acquired the name 'bonbonnière'). 

Bonhams. THE SPEELMAN COLLECTION OF CHINESE 'IMPERIAL TRIBUTE' SNUFF BOXES. Hong Kong. 24 Nov 2013 13:00 CST - www.bonhams.com