AN INSIDE-PAINTED GLASS BOTTLEMa Shaoxuan Signed and dated guimao year, corresponding to 1903 Of rounded rectangular shape, painted on one main face with three boys prodding crickets stored in small circular boxes below the title and seal, Shao , and on the other with a forty-character inscription, preceded by the date, and followed by the signature and seal, Shaoxuan ; stopper. 2 1/2in (6.5cm) high 癸卯年（1903） 馬少宣 玻璃内畫嬰戲蟋蟀圖及「蘭亭集序詩文」鼻烟壺 Provenance: Thomas C. Van Nuys Robert Kleiner, The Thomas C. Van Nuys Collection , 25 March 1995 Literature: Robert Kleiner & Co. Ltd, Catalogue , 1995, no. 54 Exhibited: International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society Convention, New York, 5-9 November 2013, no. 58 來源： Thomas C. Van Nuys舊藏 Robert Kleiner，《The Thomas C. Van Nuys Collection》，1995年3月25日 出版： Robert Kleiner古董行，《圖錄》，1995年，號54 展覽： 國際總過鼻烟壺協會年會，紐約，2013年11月5-9日，號58 The lengthy inscription to the reverse is an excerpt from the 'Lanting Preface' written by Wang Xizhi in the 4th Century, which recorded the elegant gathering of Wang and his friends at the orchid pavilion in Shanyin (Shaoxing, Zhejiang province). Wang's calligraphic style is recognised as the traditional paragon of Chinese calligraphy and the 'Lanting Preface' as one of the most admired examples. For an almost identical bottle dated 1904, see Hong Kong, The Paula Braga Collection, 24 November 2012, lot 61. Another with excerpts from the 'Lanting Preface' by Ma Shaoxuan was sold at Hong Kong, The Mary and George Bloch Collection, Part IV, 28 November 2011, lot 49.