Green Overlay Glass Snuff Bottle, Li Junting School, Yangzhou, 1840-1890

This snuff bottle is a fine example of Chinese overlay glass craftsmanship, attributed to the Li Junting school in Yangzhou and dated between 1840 and 1890. The vessel features a milky white glass body that serves as a canvas for the green glass overlay, which has been crisply carved to create detailed relief designs.

One side of the bottle showcases a scene of tall flowering lotus stems and leaves with a dragonfly perched above. The reverse side depicts a cricket resting on chrysanthemum sprays, positioned beneath a small seal mark. The sides of the bottle are decorated with traditional mask-and-ring handles, and the base is finished with a distinct green footrim. The bottle is completed by a matching green glass stopper. With a total height of 5.3 cm, or approximately 2 1/8 inches, this delicate object exemplifies the meticulous carving techniques associated with the Yangzhou glass workshops of the 19th century, blending naturalistic motifs with functional luxury in a compact, portable form.