More blue and white snuff bottles

[Patricia]

Dear Forum,

Does anyone have some thoughts on this snuff bottle and the subject matter?

Snuff bottle, porcelain, of round flattened shape with archaistic mask handles on the narrow sides moulded to imitate carved hardstone originals, painted in cobalt blue under a colourless glaze, on one side a general and two soldiers, one with a halberd, all with two long pheasant feathers in their caps, about to enter a fortified castle, a servant opens the door and another figure watches from the parapet, on the other side are two bannerman, beside a tree, the neck with spearhead-type border, the oval base has a four-character apocryphal mark, Chenghua nian zhi mark (‘Made in the Chenghua period’). Stopper, carnelian with milled gilt-metal collar.
 
1840-1900
 
In Chinese opera, characters wearing these six-foot long pheasant feathers are associated with the military, typically as generals. It may be a scene from the Ming dynasty Story of the Water Margin (Shui Hu Zhuan), a classic of Chinese literature in 100 chapters. It could also be a scene from “The Ruse of the Empty City” (Kongcheng ji) from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, when a city welcomed the enemy, with Zhuge Liang playing the qin calmly above the parapet. The enemy perceived it as a trap and quickly left.

[bambooforrest]

Patricia, perhaps Richard can help you with the story. Because of the side and neck decoration I would date the bottle 1865 to 1900.

[richy88]

Hi Patricia

The subject of this bottle is taken from a chapter from the classical novel, The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

As you correctly pointed out, it was the scene of the ruse of the empty city.

In this episode, the army of Shu Han, under the command of Zhuge Liang was under attack from the Wei army, led by Sima Yi.

Badly outnumbered, Zhuge Liang tricked Sima Yi by opening the city gate widely with no soldier in sight. He then sat on the parapet playing the Qin accompanied only by his attendant.

Sima Yi, who knew of Zhuge Liang's genius, assumed that Zhuge must have hidden forces around, did not want to take the chance and retreated his army.

This episode is a popular theme in the Chinese operas.

For your reference.

Regards.


Richard

[Patricia]

Hi Patricia

The subject of this bottle is taken from a chapter from the classical novel, The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

As you correctly pointed out, it was the scene of the ruse of the empty city.

In this episode, the army of Shu Han, under the command of Zhuge Liang was under attack from the Wei army, led by Sima Yi.

Badly outnumbered, Zhuge Liang tricked Sima Yi by opening the city gate widely with no soldier in sight. He then sat on the parapet playing the Qin accompanied only by his attendant.

Sima Yi, who knew of Zhuge Liang's genius, assumed that Zhuge must have hidden forces around, did not want to take the chance and retreated his army.

This episode is a popular theme in the Chinese operas.

For your reference.

Regards.


Richard

Dear Richard and John,

Thank you so much for providing the background to this scene - it is such an amazing story - and refining the date.

I am learning so much about Chinese culture, history and literature through these snuff bottles!

All best wishes,

Patricia

[Patricia]

Dear All,

Again apologies for the screenshot and poor quality image, but an intriguing example, I have no idea what story is depicted, but there is an inscription above the gate.

Snuff bottle, porcelain, of tall cylindrical form, painted in cobalt blue and copper red under a colourless glaze, decorated with two men in mandarin costume standing under a gate, identified in the sign above, Yanmen guan (Tr. Wild Goose Gate or Pass), a man on a horse approaches the gate, followed by three dancers, one with multi-coloured long sleeves, spearhead and ‘jewel’ border in copper red around the neck; stopper, variegated green stone collar.
 
1850-1910
 
The Yanmenguan or Yanmen Pass was a strategic mountain site in Chinese history with three fortified gates along the Great Wall of China controlling access to the valleys of Shanxi and the Eurasian Steppe. It makes an appearance in many legends, such as The Generals of the Yang Family, performed as various operas. However, there was also an opera known as Yanmen Guan or Yanmen Pass ('Goose Gate Pass’), which may be the subject of this somewhat entertaining depiction. It is one of over 500 plays and operas recorded in the Xikao, a gazetteer, published in Shanghai, c. 1912-1925.

[Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司]

Dear Patricia,

    Sorry for disappearing on you, but after I returned home
to Israel, I had family issues that occupied most of my time
and attention.

The last bottle you posted, I would date to ca. 1865 - 1910.
In 1855 or so, during the Xianfeng Emperor's reign,
the Taiping criminals destroyed the city of Jingdezhen with all its kilns,
and murdered all the inhabitants they did not  carry off into slavery.
Jingdezhen was not rebuilt and producing porcelains till 1865, during the
Tongzhi Emperor's reign.
Incidentally, I'm sure you know that the titles are reign titles, and not personal
names. Thus, the Tongzhi Emperor and NEVER Emperor Tongzhi.
Best,
Joey

[Patricia]

Dear Joey,

Many thanks for the dating and advice. Apologies for the slow response.

This must be a very difficult time for you, I hope you and your family are okay.

Patricia