Snuff bottle
Description
Snuff bottle depicting a wedding parade on the obverse and a pond of fish on the reverse.
Zhong Kui, the demon-queller, had promised his friend the hand of his sister. Riding on a donkey, Zhong Kui is accompanying his sister to her wedding. They are served by two demons, one shading his master with a canopy, and the other pushing the sister on a rickshaw. Five bats, representing the “five happiness,” hover above. The pond of fish is an auspicious design symbolizing a rich household. The inscription gives the date 1908.
Ye Zhongsan was the most prolific artist who specialized in inside-painted snuff bottles. He was active during the 1890s and early 1900s. While capable of high-quality work, Ye also produced a standard set of designs for commercial purposes. Later on, he was joined by his three sons, who also used his name.
Artist: Ye Zhongsan
Collection
Chinese Art
Object Type
Bottle
Material
Glass, Ink and colours
Schools/Culture/Period
Qing dynasty
Technique
Glass painting
Date
19th Century CE
Location
China
Dimension
H: 5.5 cms.