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Lot Essay
Jasper is a fascinating material with a wide range of possible colors, even in a single specimen. This extraordinary example, however, is made from material of exceptional quality and range, with five distinct layers of color, allowing for the rare technique of double layers of carving.
The composition of the cat and butterfly is sculpturally impressive. The combination of the two creatures forms a rebus hoping for longevity. The design is powerful, with the yellow cat creating a diagonal thrust on the foreground and then sharply turning its energy back up toward the butterfly by the movement of its head. This is then accentuated by the more subtle green layer of convoluted rock and plantain growing behind it. The energy is returned by the direction of flight of the butterfly and the positioning of the leaves which curl back toward the centre of the picture.
The cricket on the reverse of the bottle is symbolic of courage. For a jasper bottle from the Hunter Collection showing a cricket with a cricket-cage, see Bob C. Stevens, The Collector's Book of Snuff Bottles, no. 482.
The composition of the cat and butterfly is sculpturally impressive. The combination of the two creatures forms a rebus hoping for longevity. The design is powerful, with the yellow cat creating a diagonal thrust on the foreground and then sharply turning its energy back up toward the butterfly by the movement of its head. This is then accentuated by the more subtle green layer of convoluted rock and plantain growing behind it. The energy is returned by the direction of flight of the butterfly and the positioning of the leaves which curl back toward the centre of the picture.
The cricket on the reverse of the bottle is symbolic of courage. For a jasper bottle from the Hunter Collection showing a cricket with a cricket-cage, see Bob C. Stevens, The Collector's Book of Snuff Bottles, no. 482.