A CARVED JASPER SNUFF BOTTLE 1750-1860A CARVED JASPER SNUFF BOTTLE1750-1860Very well-hollowed, of compressed globular form standing on an oval footrim, with a cylindrical neck and recessed lip, utilizing the color variations, carved on one side in relief with a large cricket on a cabbage, reversed with a crouching tiger on a craggy ground staring at a bat; the matrix of predominantly rich russet tone, marked with yellow, green, and dark brown patches.2 3/8in (6cm) high1750-1860 羊肝瑪瑙刻蟈蟈白菜鼻煙壺一件Provenance:Joan and Ted Dorf Collection, no. 51The subject matter on this bottle works very well with the rich color variations in the material. On one side a large cricket munches away on a leafy cabbage, while, more unusually, the other side has a stealthy tiger staring at a bat. The carver has used the markings in the stone to great effect to evoke the scene on each side. The symbolism of a cricket upon a bok choy denotes purity and fertility making it an ideal gift for a wedding.