AN INSIDE-PAINTED ROCK CRYSTAL SNUFF BOTTLE Ye Family Studio, 1925AN INSIDE-PAINTED ROCK CRYSTAL SNUFF BOTTLEYe Family Studio, 1925Of rounded rectangular form supported on an oval footrim, with a cylindrical neck and recessed lip; the inside painted with a continuous scene, depicting the 'Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove' theme with figures at leisure or engaged in a scholarly activity in an outdoor setting; one side dated yichou qiuyue (autumn of 1925), signed Ye Zhongsan and with one red seal mark. 2 1/8in (5.4cm) high乙丑年 (1925) 水晶内畫竹林七賢圖鼻煙壺一件葉氏家族 《葉仲三》款Provenance:Joan and Ted Dorf Collection, no. 295The 'Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove' has always been a widely depicted theme in various Chinese art. It refers to the seven elites, including scholars and artists, who lived during the troubled times in the 3rd century (Eastern Jin dynasty). The group chose to distance themselves from government service and fled to a secluded bamboo grove, where they could express themselves freely, enjoying pure conversation, poetry, music, and wine.