IMPERIAL, JINGDEZHEN KILNS, GUANGXU SIX-CHARACTER MARK IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE AND OF THE PERIOD (1875-1908)

The design of five cockerels brings to mind the term wugong (five lords) which can be interpreted as a generic term referring to high positions. In Chinese lore, cockerels are a symbol for advancement by rank. A bottle of this design may have been given as a gift to offer congratulations on a promotion. For two other examples with Guangxu marks see Moss, Graham, Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles, The Mary and George Bloch Collection, Vol. 6, Part 3, Arts of the Fire, Hong Kong, 2008, pp. 906-7, nos. 1431-2.