Year of the Ox Snuff Bottles

The International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society ("ICSBS") held a Year of the Ox（牛）Zoom webinar this past weekend with a lecture on the history of the ox/water buffalo in Chinese art and a focus on snuff bottles. The ox is an integral component of one of the four noble professions in ancient China (scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants). The ox is often accompanied by a herder boy, either walking next to his animal or riding bareback. The founder of Taoism, Lao Tzu, is also depicted riding a buffalo. The ox symbolizes spring and agriculture as well as hard work, strength, and patience.