TWO INSIDE-PAINTED GLASS SNUFF BOTTLES

SIGNED ZHOU LEYUAN, 1886-1891

Details

TWO INSIDE-PAINTED GLASS SNUFF BOTTLES
SIGNED ZHOU LEYUAN, 1886-1891
The first bottle, 1886 or 1887, is decorated on one side with a still life and signed Leyuan Zhou, with the dedication and possibly the date erased, the reverse is painted with a scene of a teacher with his pupils running amok. The second bottle, 1890-1891, is finely painted on the interior with a continuous landscape scene depicting a man poling a skiff on one side and a pavilion on the reverse, signed by the artist, 'Leyuan Zhou shi made at the capital.'
2 3/8 (6 cm.) high each, glass and shell stoppers

Provenance

First bottle:
Robert Hall, London, 2007.
Ruth and Carl Barron Collection, Belmont, Massachusetts, no. 4694.
Second bottle:
Alan Wheatley.
Robert Kleiner, Belfont Company Ltd., Hong Kong, 1997.
Ruth and Carl Barron Collection, Belmont, Massachusetts, no. 2454.

Brought to you by

Margaret Gristina

mgristina@christies.com +1 212 636 2180

Lot Essay

Zhou Leyuan, the founder of the popular Beijing school of painting, was active between 1879 and 1893. Every artist of the first phase of the school owed a considerable debt to Zhou, and most began their careers by copying his style and signing his name; some even appear to have devoted most of their careers to producing copies of his work.

More from The Ruth and Carl Barron Collection of Fine Chinese Snuff Bottles: Part II

View All