It is surprising to find the chilong dragons have been inlaid rather than carved through over-layers of coloured glass as would be the normal technique. Compare for example, the slightly larger white glass bottle vase also decorated with chilong dragons illustrated in The Robert H Clague Collection, Chinese Glass of the Qing Dynasty, 1644-1911, p. 30, fig. 26 and the green glass waterpot, lot 554, in the present sale. Jade and other hardstones are, of course, more frequently inlaid when embellishing wall plaques, jade ruyi sceptres and other decorative objects and furniture. It is notable that chilong are frequently chosen as the subject for decorating small glass vases and vessels like the present example and the waterpot, lot xxx in this sale.

(US$13,000-20,000)