{"product_id":"item-10374-cicada-snuff-bottle","title":"Item #10374: Cicada Snuff Bottle","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"description\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"description\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"description\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003esize: 2-1\/4 X 7\/8 X 1\/2 INCHES\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Robyn Buntin of Honolulu Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47623416774845,"sku":"10374","price":2800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0514\/5686\/8541\/files\/image_2a05c2ee-028c-446b-81ea-217b797424fe.jpg?v=1783635307","url":"https:\/\/robynbuntin.com\/products\/item-10374-cicada-snuff-bottle","provider":"Robyn Buntin of Honolulu Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}