A BLUE OVERLAY ON 'SNOWFLAKE' GLASS SNUFF BOTTLEImperial, attributed to the Palace Workshops, Beijing, 1750-1800 Of blue on a snowflake ground, of rounded form with a cylindrical neck and a neatly carved oval footrim, each main side overlaid with a mandarin duck swimming on a pond with lotus leaves and flowers growing above it; stopper. 2 3/8in (6cm) high 1750-1800 霏雪地套藍料鴛鴦蓮塘鼻煙壺一件 御製 或為北京宮廷作坊製 Provenance: Acquired November, 1996 Joan and Ted Dorf Collection, no. 265 Ducks were a popular subject matter among the makers of snuff bottles. This is one of the better examples of its type as the carver has been able to achieve the maximum effect using the overlay color. Animals are often depicted in pairs on snuff bottles, and ducks are no exception, being symbolic of marital harmony and fidelity.