Chinese Glass (Peking Glass) Although glass was probably made in China from as early as 300 BC, most Chinese glass dates from after 1662, when a glass work was established in the high society of China known as the Forbidden City. Chinese glass was largely used to imitate more precious materials such as white jade, lapis lazuli, porcelain and other valuable minerals.

Peking Glass was first made in China in the late 1600's, during the Qing Dynasty, when glass-making techniques were introduced to the Imperial court. In the 1700's, the Imperial workshop would produce tiny bottles, called snuff bottles, for containing and carrying tobacco for use by the royal family, or as gifts to civil and military ministers of the royal court, and foreign diplomats. Over time this form of art grew in the society of the common people.