An Inside Painted Glass Snuff Bottle China, 19th/20th century A flattened rounded rectangular bottle, the inside painted with a cat seated on a rock watching butterflies, signed Ma Shaoxuan. height 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm.); width 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm.); depth 1/2 in. (1.3 cm.) Footnotes: Provenance: Freeman's, 15 September 2008, Lot 15; Acquired by the current owner from the above. Introduced to China under the influence of European missionary work and diplomatic gifts in the early 18th century, snuff bottles were designed to hold finely powdered tobacco. Beyond their practical function, these miniature vessels became highly prized works of art, meticulously crafted from a wide range of materials and often serving as expressions of their owners' values and social standing. The present work depicts a cat, a relatively uncommon subject in Chinese art. This may be attributed to the animal's later introduction to China through international trade networks, long after the iconography of the Chinese zodiac and its associated artistic traditions had become firmly established. During the time in which this bottle was made, the form of a cat symbolized longevity. Chinese word for cat māo (猫) is a homophone of mào (耄), which is the word for an elderly person. Condition reports are not provided in catalog descriptions. The absence of a condition report does not guarantee that the lot is in good condition or free from damage and wear. We encourage you to request a condition report and/or additional photos prior to bidding on any lot. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing