TABATIERE EN PORCELAINE FAMILLE ROSE CHINE, IMPERIAL, MARQUE QIANLONG, 1780-1799

This hundred boys subject refers to the legend of King Wen of Zhou, who had ninety-nine children of his own and generously adopted one more. It symbolizes the wish of abundant descendants.

For similar bottles, see Moss, Graham, Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles. The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 6 part 2, Arts of the Fire, no. 1179.
See also Geng Baochang and Zhao Binghua, ed. Zangguo bianhu Zhenshang, Hong Kong 1992, no.119 ; and Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Sanctum of Enlightened Respect III, (collection of Denis Low), no.171.