A RARE INSIDE-PAINTED GLASS BOTTLE

SIGNED SUN XINGWU AND DATED JIHAI YEAR, CORRESPONDING TO 1899

Details
A RARE INSIDE-PAINTED GLASS BOTTLE
Signed Sun Xingwu and dated Jihai Year, Corresponding to 1899
Of rounded rectangular shape, painted with a continuous scene of Zhongui riding an ass on one side surrounded by his demon quellers, his sister is seated in her canopied chariot on the other, all set in a misty landscape, stopper
2½in. (6.4cm.) high

Lot Essay

For a very similar example by the same artist, but dated 1897, see Robert Kleiner, Chinese Snuff Bottles, A Miniature Art from the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, Hong Kong, 1994, Catalogue, p. 425, no. 353

For a long description of the tale of Zhongui illustrating many bottles, see Raymond Li, Chinese Snuff Bottle Themes, Popular Stories and Fables, Hong Kong, 1983, pp. 54-57

For a similar rare painted bottle by Wang Xisan see Humphrey Hui and Christopher Sin, An Imperial Qing Tradition, San Francisco, 1994, Catalogue, p. 200, no. 235, originally sold Christie's, London, June 2, 1993, lot 182