SIGNED MA SHAOXUAN, DATED YIWEI (1895)

Ma Shaoxuan (1867-1939) was one of the most technically accomplished artists of the Beijing school of snuff-bottle painting, which was founded by Zhou Leyuan and included other leading artists, such as Ding Erzhong, Ye Zhongsan and Ziyizi.

The subject of butterflies is very auspicious, as they symbolized multitudes of blessings including many descendants. For a discussion of the significance of butterflies, see T. T. Bartholomew, Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, Hong Kong, 2006, p. 32.

A bottle with similar design from the Muse Collection is illustrated by Clare Chu in Chinese Snuff Bottles from Southern Californian Collectors, Hong Kong, 2016, pg. 74.