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Lot Essay
The cricket, either alone or with its cage, became a very popular subject on snuff bottles during the early nineteenth century. An emblem of courage, the cricket in Chinese is pronounced guoguo which sounds the same as the word 'country'. The rebus is interpreted as jinzhong baoguo, meaning 'to be loyal to one's country'. Large quantities of Imperially made bottles were presented to officials around the country, as a sign of Imperial recognition they were a signal honor. Such a pun would have been a subtle and effective way of reminding officials of an essential feature of Confucian government. Another reason for the popularity of the cricket imagery is linked to the production of cricket cages and the popular pastime of cricket fights.
This exceptional enameled glass bottle is designed with all the confidence of the best of Guyuexuan wares. The insects are intricately and naturalistically painted, and the composition stands out dramatically against the white ground. For two other enamelled glass bottles of similar subject and shape, see Zhongguo Biyanhu Zhenshang, Gems of Chinese Snuff Bottles, no. 113; and the other sold at Sotheby's London, 23 March 1988, lot 111.
This exceptional enameled glass bottle is designed with all the confidence of the best of Guyuexuan wares. The insects are intricately and naturalistically painted, and the composition stands out dramatically against the white ground. For two other enamelled glass bottles of similar subject and shape, see Zhongguo Biyanhu Zhenshang, Gems of Chinese Snuff Bottles, no. 113; and the other sold at Sotheby's London, 23 March 1988, lot 111.