Blue overlay glass snuff bottle on an opaque white background with animal motifs, China, 1760–1850 Pear-shaped and resting on an oval foot, the bottle is decorated with an eagle attacking a snake on one side and a seated bear with its head raised toward a large pine tree on the other. Rocks, clouds, and lingzhi mushrooms complete the scenes. Oval foot. Glass stopper imitating coral. Height: 5.5 cm This motif is a metaphor for moral strength and power. The eagle, called yīng - 鹰, shares its pronunciation with the word “heroic,” yīng - 英. The bird with outstretched talons thus embodies the virtuous and far-sighted hero. By swooping down on the snake shé - 蛇, a symbol of danger and malice, the eagle illustrates the triumph of justice over adversity. A snuffbox decorated in this way makes a prestigious gift intended to honor the courage and integrity of a high-ranking official or military leader.