G36 A red overlay transparent glass “Nine Cauldrons” snuff bottle

Description

Description:  Chinese overlay red transparent glass snuff bottle decorated in high relief with the “Nine cauldrons” motif. The Nine Cauldrons “九鼎” (Ding) is a very powerful symbol in the Chinese history. It signified that he who owns the nine cauldrons would also rule (or united) the world. It is therefore a symbol of power. The nine cauldrons have been introduced very early in the Chinese history, the earliest being the Xia dynasty which is from 2070 to 1600 B.C. Subsequent rulers of the following periods such as the Shang, Zhou, Tang, Qin, Han and later Tang and Song dynasty have used or manufactured these cauldrons as a symbol of supreme power. Therefore, if anyone is to challenge the current political power to win the world, it is known as “问鼎天下” (Wèndǐng tiānxià), which literally means “Aim for World domination”, synonymous of “Asking for the cauldrons”. Because of this, the “nine archaic bronze vases’ design is also a pun for the idiom “一言九鼎” (Yī yán jiǔdǐng), that can be translated as ‘one word worth the nine cauldrons’, signifying words of tremendous authority.

Foot/base:  Thin foot and convex base

Mark:  No marks

Dating:  18^th Century

Material:  Glass.

Size:  60 mm high

Stopper:  Green jade with bone spoon.

Provenance:  See provenance of glass snuff bottle G35

References:

Notes:  This snuff bottle has some damages but in lack of a perfect example it is worth to keep due to the high quality of the carving, which tridimensional effect is astounding.