Chinese Vintage Reproduction Reverse Painting of Ship on Glass

A well-executed Chinese export reverse painting on glass depicting an elaborate interior scene with many figures engaged in various domestic activities. This is a finely drawn compos...

A fine pair of Chinese export vases in the Canton Rose Medallion pattern and palette. Provenance: Earle D. Vandekar, London.

Each nicely painted in reverse. One depicting a boy playing a flute to a terrapin in a sea and the other a man in a sea rising over a man floating in a shell. Carved wood frames.

Popularized during the Qing dynasty, reverse glass painting requires an artist to essentially work backwards, starting with details and shading before adding color and form. Lending the finished work a subtle three-dimensional effect, this exacting technique doesn't allow for any corrections, and is only revealed to its full effect when the glass pane is turned around. This example dates to the late 19th century and depicts the Taoist immortals He Xiangu and Cao Guojiu. Said to have attained immortality through their studies of the natural world, the Eight Immortals each represent a different condition in life and impart blessings of prosperity and longevity. The charming scene is likely one of a set of...