Some cool china purchasing images:
DGJ_4714 – Snuff Bottle
Image by archer10 (Dennis)
PLEASE, no multi invitations in your comments. DO NOT FEEL YOU HAVE TO COMMENT.Thanks.
This bottle was purchased in Hong Kong and was painted by a master (red box, left middle is his name), many can be purchased that are phonies and are transfers inside. This crystal bottle is 4 3/4" x 2 3/4" and the hole in the top is 1/4" in diameter. I paid approx 0 US for this one, purchased others for gifts at about US and they were larger.
Artists paint on the reverse side of the crystal through a 2cm hole at the top of the bottle with a special hooked paintbrush dipped in water and oil colors. This is meticulous work and depending on the subject matter can take anywhere from 1-10 days to complete. These talented artist must study for many years before they can obtain master status.
These were painted from the inside out through a technique that first painted the interior with iron oxydal mixed with water. This created a milky white surface suitable to take the paints, which were applied subsequently. Snuff bottles of this genre include landscapes, flower pieces and other works. The earliest examples of these date from the 1880s so this form was a relatively late development.