This is a small 19th century cherry red amber cicada snuff bottle with an ivory top. The amber was probably imported from Russia. The cherry red amber as a natural product is difficult to find in large quantities. This kind of piece is consistent in color and type for natural amber, having a gorgeous cherry red color. The cicada bursts forth from the earth every 7 years making a great deal of noise in an effort to reproduce itself; after which it quickly dies and the offspring go into the earth to await the start of the next 7 year cycle. It is metaphorically equivalent to the Western concept of the phoenix that bursts into flames and expires. From the ashes it is reborn. Therefore it is a symbol of immortality in Asian societies. Bodies in Chinese tombs have a jade plug for each body orifice, and for the mouth a jade in the shape of a cicada was placed for the well being of the deceased. This lovely little snuff bottle is compact and would have been an elegant item probably put in a small fabric purse that would hang from the belt.
