1914 Ma shaoxian snuff bottle

Hi Steven,

In the Treasury books there is no mention of Badgers, it was used as a description by Sotheby's when the Bloch collection was sold. They are referred to as amorous cats which makes sense as two cats symbolise marital happiness and fertility. I can say they don't represent any sort of badger I've seen so it must be the from happiness having the same pronunciation as Badger.

The Bloch's had 3 examples of the same subject dated 1897, 1899 and 1904, the latest one signed Ma Shaoxian whilst the other 2 were signed Ma Shaoxuan, one possibly by him or a family member (1897), the other given as Family of Ma Shaoxuan and a miniature bottle.

Their Ma Shaoxian has yellow eyes like yours whereas the other two don't, or not noticeably. The earlier, possibly Ma Shaoxuan, is different from the other 2 and yours in that the foremost leg on the top cat is painted straighter and doesn't have folds in the flesh.

Perhaps we ought to post them all and play "spot the difference" 

Regards, Adrian.