Page 17 - Bonhams Indian Private Collection of Snuff Bottles March 2016 New York

6013 (two views)

6013 Zhou Leyuan, founder of the Beijing School, was one of the finest
AN INSIDE-PAINTED GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE artists in the medium of the inside-painted snuff bottle. His most
Zhou Leyuan, 1890 prolific period appears to have been between 1890 and 1892. The
Of rounded rectangular form with a cylindrical neck, flat lip, splayed present bottle provides a wonderful example demonstrating his ability
oval foot ring, painted in black ink and subdued colors depicting to create a technically and aesthetically compelling work in a small
a teapot, planters, and a covered vessel casually placed near and challenging space, as well as his ever elegant sensibility and deep
weathered rocks, the reverse decorated with a tranquil lotus pond understanding of the literati ideals in painting.
with slender leafy and blossoming branches gracefully bent as if by a
gentle breeze; both sides poetically inscribed, one side signed Zhou 1890年 周樂元作 玻璃內畫蓮池圖鼻煙壺 《周樂元作》款
Leyuan and followed with a small red seal mark, the reverse dated
gengyin, corresponding to 1890.
2 5/8in (6.8cm) high
$4,000 - 6,000

Provenance
Robert Kleiner, Belfont Company (Hong Kong) Ltd., 4th November 1990

CHINESE SNUFF BOTTLES FROM TWO AMERICAN PRIVATE COLLECTIONS | 15