SIGNED YE ZHONGSAN, WUXU YEAR (1898)

Zhong Kui, the 'demon-queller', is often shown with his demon attendant, as demonstrated on this bottle. It is noted by Hugh Moss that Zhong Kui, "As always, he is attended by a demon-servant since, having quelled them one might as well put them to work." (Moss, Graham, Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles, the Mary and George Bloch Collection, Vol. 4, Part 1, p. 209) On this bottle the servant is shown carrying the master's sword and food, as well as another mischievous quelled-demon.