IMPERIAL, PALACE WORKSHOPS, BEIJING, 1780-1880

According to Teresa Tse Bartholomew, Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, San Francisco, 2006, p. 257, cauldrons or dings are often times paired with ruyi scepters, as ding is a pun for 'must' and ruyi stands for 'as you wish.' It could imply that the this bottle would have been gifted to someone who was looking for a turn of fortune.

A yellow glass bottle of the same subject from The Ruth and Carl Barron Collection of Fine Chinese Snuff Bottles: Part IV, was sold at Christie's New York, 15 March 2017, lot 360.