Fine Vintage Chinese Peking Glass Snuff Bottle Cicada Motif

Dimensions: 2-1/2”l x 7/8”w x 6/8”d

In Chinese culture, cicadas are potent symbols of rebirth, immortality, and spiritual awakening, stemming from their unique life cycle. The cicada's transformation from an underground nymph to a winged adult, shedding its skin in the process and seen as a metaphor for the soul's journey from mortality to immortality. 

This belief is reflected in this beautiful antique Chinese Peking glass Snuff Bottle formed to depict a Cicada. To create the overlay, a glass blower makes the shape and in this case that of a Cicada which possesses a very unique use of the variations of butterscotch and orange coloration from dipping the blown form into a basin of liquid glass several times to define its body. The Cicada has realistic, bulging eyes and made to have naturally appearing dark spots in the glass giving a three-dimensional depth to the piece. Also since the glass is translucent the interior portions of the body are additionally defined. The entire piece is finely incised, with the underneath side detailing the thorax and the abdomen carved with notched ridges. It is finely molded with a carapace with folded and detailed wings on each side.  A naturally formed mouth provides the opening that holds the original stopper/spoon for extracting the powdered tobacco or snuff. The brass cap of the stopper is matched perfectly in a color that has been pulled from the underneath side of the body. Pieces of this type were not only made to hold medicine or tobacco carried in the owners pocket, but made to accommodate the snuff bottle on a scholar's desk with a beautifully hand-carved, original Chinese rosewood stand allowing it to be displayed as a piece of art. 

Condition: An excellent piece with a well-matched stopper with a defined ring base. Perfect piece to complete a diverse snuff bottle collection!