Word: snuffs
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...emphasize Baumbach’s vision that, sometimes, children are the sanest of us all. Kidman, who perhaps naturally identifies with her character, is strong. In the midst of all the terrific performances, however, it becomes glaringly apparent that the script simply isn’t up to snuff. Like his occasional writing and production partner Wes Anderson, Baumbach has the tendency to leave the story up to atmosphere rather than the plot or characters. While Anderson compensates for this by overwhelming the viewer with moving scenes of joy, sadness, and hope, Baumbach’s vision concentrates too much...
There's no genie in a Chinese snuff bottle, but it's easy to see why these exquisite little phials - the height of fashion in 18th century Beijing - cast a spell on collectors today. Handcrafted from every material known to the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), including copper, glass, porcelain, jade, ivory and amber, each one is a miniature masterpiece of the applied arts. Rich in symbolism - achieved through decorative techniques such as enameling, stippling and relief carving - they served as courtly gifts and good-luck charms. And their social significance wasn't to be sneezed...
Denis S.K. Low, a retired realtor and Singapore native, has been amassing them for 28 years. His collection now stretches to 1,300 items - 355 of which feature in his latest book, Chinese Snuff Bottles. A selection can also be seen in an exhibition at Singapore's Asian Civilisations Museum until Nov. 7. In his text, Low describes the look and significance of every 2-in. to 3-in. (5-7 cm) piece. The interplay of fauna and flora - from quails to monkeys and lotus flowers to peonies - reflects the world of deference and ambition that centered on the Emperor...
Tobacco reached China in the late 16th century. Its powdered form grew in popularity, however, when smoking was outlawed. Snuff was thought to be "medicinal," particularly as a remedy for colds, headaches and upset stomachs, and so escaped the ban. By 1800, taking snuff, and hoarding the ornate bottles it was dispensed from, was a national craze. Given current attitudes toward smoking, perhaps the time is ripe for a snuff revival? Maybe not, but its magical merchandising sure beats an old pack of cigarettes. 1 Empress Place; www.acm.org.sg...
...Paris, presumably to study, but it was really to hang out with her then boyfriend, an Olympic champion. She waited to get married until she was "39 and 7/8," she says. "Just under the wire." It was while scouting for wedding dresses and finding nothing remotely up to snuff that her father said, "'These are really pretty ugly,'" Wang recalls. "He said, 'I'll back you in a business if it's bridal, but no fashion.'" A few months later, Wang took him up on the offer...