鼻烟壶，是一种盛放鼻烟的容器，源于西方，至十七世纪传入中国。

鼻烟传入中国后，中国人先是利用传统药瓶盛放鼻烟，后来利用了利用玛瑙、陶瓷器或象牙等多种材质和制作工艺来完善鼻烟的盛具，这种盛具，被人们称作鼻烟壶。中国鼻烟壶的制作相当讲究，加上雕镂细腻的图样。

从明末到康熙年间，对于鼻烟壶的鉴赏相当流行，直至今时今日，中国古代鼻烟壶依然是许多古董收藏家的爱好。至今已有四百年的历史。《春冰室野乘》中描述，孙士毅在乾隆接见时，送给皇帝一只鼻烟壶，和珅在途中向他索要，他不肯给。后来和珅直接向皇帝索得，可见得和珅的权力之大。徐坷《清稗类钞‧豪侈类》中亦有如此记载:

Snuff bottles were used by the Chinese, Mongolians during the Qing Dynasty to contain powdered tobacco. Smoking tobacco was illegal during the Qing Dynasty, but the use of snuff was allowed because the Chinese considered snuff to be a remedy for common illnesses such as colds, headaches and stomach disorders. Therefore, snuff was carried in a small bottle like other medicines. The snuff bottle replaced the snuff box used by Europeans.