The inscriptions on the snuff bottle originates from the novel the Romance of the Three Kingdom, Chapter 83 (三國演義 第八十三回 ) . Huang Zhong was a famous General of the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD25-220), the inscriptions on the present lot highlights the prestige of the General,
reading:
Painted in Beijing 作於京師
The brave military General Huang Zhong, 老將說黃忠，
Conquered and won over the province of Sichuan. 收川立大功。
The General was equaled with the golden armor, 身披金.甲，
Holding an arrow and bow. 手挽鐵胎弓。
The Northern population admired the General’s bravery, 膽氣驚河北，
His prestigious status is widely acknowledged. 威名鎮蜀中。
Dated to Gengzi (corresponding to 1900) 庚子
Ma Shaoxuan 馬少宣

Compare with another bottle closely related to portraits depicting the Peking Opera actor Tan Fuying playing the role of General Huang Zhong of the three-kingdom era, illustrated in Chinese snuff bottle, Hong Kong, pl.9, p.45. It might be interesting to note a story about the celebrated Huang Zhong as several samples of this subject matter exist. The prime minister at the time considered Huang Zhong no longer a suitable candidate for warfare and active service in the front line at the age of 83. When Huang Zhong found out this news after all the other General had received their orders, he was furious and went to see the Prime minister. Huang told the Prime minister that there was no such thing as old age and that it was merely a mental concept. Hence, he should be allowed to fight on the battlefield. Upon hearing this piece of information, Huang Zhong was given his orders and ultimately won at the battle. Reference should be made to another poem describing yet again the General’s distinguished ability and competence in warfare. First among veterans stands Huang Zhong, Who won great merit in the conquest of Shu. Old, he still donned his coat of mail, And laid his hand to the curving bow. His valor was the talk of all the north, Fear of his might maintained the west. The General’s saying regarding old age is well known and often quoted. It is interesting to note that bottles in this series generally depict the same Peking Opera actor. It is known that he dies at around the turn of the century so it is probable that at about the turn of the century. Hence, It is very likely that these bottles were made after his death to commemorate the beloved actor who had invested so many years of service to the Opera. Many considered the greatest innovation in artistic style introduced by snuff bottle crafters during that period was the art of interior painting, as these pieces show a thorough training in the arts of an experienced painter. Ma Shaoxuan was capable of fine work and in his superb portraits of leading Qing officials and personalities of the time and extended the frontiers of the art in notable fashion.