Chinese inside-painted 'Crane and Pine' glass snuff bottle, Ma Shaoxuan family, 1900

This Chinese snuff bottle, dating to 1900, is a fine example of the inside-painted glass craft associated with the Ma Shaoxuan workshop. The bottle features a compressed form and is meticulously decorated from the interior.

One side depicts a crane standing beneath a pine tree, a motif symbolizing longevity in traditional Chinese art. The reverse side features an inscription of a thirty-two-character poem by the poet Sikong Tu, along with the artist's signature and a seal. The piece is dated to the Geng Zi year, corresponding to 1900 AD. The bottle is fitted with a red stopper. It stands 6.4 cm tall excluding the stopper. Ma Shaoxuan was a prominent artist of the Beijing school whose workshop, which included family members, specialized in these miniature works.

The design reflects the refined painting and calligraphy style characteristic of his family's production, providing an authentic look into the specialized artistry of the period.