Chinese Snuff Bottle Discussion Forum 中國鼻煙壺討論論壇

Can anyone tell me the meaning of the many, many snuff bottles I see online signed on the bottom with a leaf? This can't possibly be one artist as there are so many of them, unless this is a mass production factory mark. However, I notice the leaf looks different on different bottles, so I thought maybe there is some meaning to it? Apologies if this is a rather foolish question.

Dear Ilene,

     There are no foolish questions, just foolish answers.
Unless you are in a burning theatre and ask if you should stay or leave.

    That is actually a very good question, and one to which I do not know the answer.
Anyone know the answer? I'll be interested to hear.
Best,
Joey

http://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/index.php/topic,267.0.html

Not sure if this is linked to the question.

Cheers,
YT

That is interesting. Here are some on ebay right now. Some descriptions mention "Kang" and others do not. Most bottles are blue and white, but some are other colors. Most leaves are blue but some are red. They ask all different prices, which I guess they pull out of a hat? I still can't at all identify original from reproduction when it comes to porcelain bottles (sorry, yes, I know you provide much information but I may be hopeless), but some of these look like they were made yesterday.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-Chines-Birds-Singing-Odd-Shaped-Porcelain-Shape-Snuff-Bottle-Leaf-Mark-Kang-/381595538202?hash=item58d8ddd31a:g:n2cAAOSwq19XBwm6

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VERY-RARE-ANTIQUE-CHINESE-PORCELAIN-SNUFF-BOTTLE-W-CALLIGRAPHY-MARKED-LEAF-/282002416352?hash=item41a8a762e0:g:OTIAAOSw7KJXDWQa

http://www.ebay.com/itm/China-Tea-end-glaze-Green-porcelain-Two-Snuff-Bottles-Small-bottle-leaf-mark-W51-/262377862497?hash=item3d16f07561:g:FXMAAOSw~gRVuF27

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chinese-Porcelain-Blue-White-Snuff-Bottle-Leaf-Mark-On-Bottom-Children-Playing-/272151600235?hash=item3f5d7fdc6b:m:mGY2-gZA71HerOgJy83-rjQ

Dear Ilene,

Those examples are modern.
Let me see what I can find.

Cheers,
YT

Found it.
http://gotheborg.com/marks/qingmarks.shtml

Dear Ilene,

Here is some additional information on your post-

This symbolic mark of the Artemisia leaf is listed as No. 3354 and 3355 in the "New and Revised Handbook of Marks on Chinese Ceramics" (2013 updated edition) by Gerald Davison. According to that source, the Artemisia leaf is a symbol of healing and health, as well as one of the Daoist "Eight Precious Objects".  The use of Artemisia leaf mark on blue and white porcelains is reputed to be originally common under the Kangxi period, but these stiffer versions as shown by your post are all later, likely all late 20th century and/or new snuff bottles.

Charll

Hi Ilene,

I am with YT and Charll here, they are quite modern.

I actually have not seen any genuine snuff bottle with a leaf mark so far.

Steven

Many thanks for all the answers. This is very interesting. I had no idea it was a symbol of health and healing. I assumed the bottles were all new or at least modern  (I still can't tell new porcelain from old, but even to me all but one looked quite new and the prices were pretty cheap.) Does this mean that basically, nowadays whether copying old bottles, (or making up their own themes,) numerous people producing bottles are just too lazy to bother to also copy a signature that would apply from the period they are trying to represent? Or do you think it is a deliberate desire to put health and healing onto the bottle to make it more interesting, the way my sister and little niece make tie dye cloth purses for children that say "peace" on them?