Chinese inside-painted rock crystal snuff bottle, Republic period
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Republic period (1912-1949)
This fine Chinese snuff bottle is crafted from clear, well-hollowed rock crystal, featuring the intricate art of inside-painting. Dating to the Republic period (1912-1949), the bottle has a flattened body that serves as a canvas for delicate internal artwork.
The obverse is decorated with a scholar's rock surrounded by flowers emerging from incense burners. The reverse side depicts birds perched upon a branch above a blossoming peony, showcasing traditional motifs associated with scholarly and natural themes. The bottle is fitted with an associated stopper that includes an amethyst cabochon. Measuring approximately 5.5 cm in height, the vessel demonstrates the skilled craftsmanship required to execute detailed, multi-colored painting through the small mouth of a rock crystal container.
The Chinese inscription 民国 水晶雕内画博古图鼻烟壶 translates to denote its period and construction type as a Republic-era rock crystal snuff bottle with inside-painted antique patterns.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Height
- 5.5 cm
- Material
- Rock crystal
- Stopper material
- Amethyst cabochon
Technical characteristics
- Decoration technique
- Inside-painted
Design
- Obverse
- Scholar's rock, flowers, incense burners
- Reverse
- Birds, branch, blossoming peony
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.