Signed Chinese Interior Reverse Painted Snuff Bottle

Item Description:

This is a vintage Chinese inside-painted crystal snuff bottle, featuring a meticulously hand-painted scene of five tigersamidst a natural landscape. The artwork is executed on both the front and back interior surfaces, a technique requiring exceptional dexterity and mirror-reversed brushwork. The bottle is sealed with a carved light green jadeite stoppershaped like a Foo Dog (guardian lion), and includes a bone or faux bone spoon attached to the cork.

Features & Details:

• Medium: Hand-painted from inside a clear crystal or glass bottle (reverse painting on the inside).
• Dimensions: Approximately 5" high x 3.5" wide.
• Stopper: Carved jadeite (light green translucent), shaped as a Chinese guardian lion (Foo Dog).
• Spoon: Bone or possibly faux ivory, attached with a cork insert.
• Decoration: Vivid tiger imagery with naturalistic surroundings, signed in Chinese characters on both sides, along with a red seal (chop mark).
• Condition: Appears mint and unused, excellent clarity and no wear on the painted surfaces or stopper.

Art Historical Context:

This is a fine example of a 20th-century Chinese inside-painted snuff bottle—a traditional art form that began in the Qing Dynasty (circa 18th century) and continued into the Republic and modern periods. These bottles, once functional, have long since evolved into decorative and collectible miniatures.

The level of detail and balance in the tiger painting (with dynamic poses, rich coloration, and expressive faces) suggests it was created by a skilled studio artist, likely from Beijing or Inner Mongolia, where such bottles are still crafted.

The use of multiple tigers symbolically conveys strength, power, and protection, making this a popular motif during Year of the Tiger or for collectors of Chinese zodiac iconography.

Date & Authenticity:

• Most likely 1980s–1990s, based on style, clarity of glass, stopper carving, and comparison to similar Hong Kong export items.
• The signature and red seal suggest it may be the work of a known artist or workshop; further research using Chinese auction records could narrow this down.
• The bottle is authentic, though not antique (i.e., not 100+ years old).

Value Estimate (2025 Market):

Type of Sale

Estimated Value (USD)

Retail/Gallery Price

$125 – $250

eBay/Folk Art Market (Sold listings)

$80 – $150

Collector Sale (Artist-Identified)

$250 – $400 (if artist recognized)

Comparable Listings:

• Interior-painted snuff bottles with jade tops from the 1980s–1990s typically list between $75 and $300, depending on the subject matter and condition.
• Bottles with animal motifs (especially tigers) command a premium due to symbolic and zodiacal associations.

Authentication & Recommendations:

• Artist Identification: The bottle is signed in Chinese characters, which might correspond to a known reverse-painting artist. A Chinese art appraiser or auction house (e.g., Bonhams, Poly Auction, or China Guardian) could assist in translating and verifying the artist name.
• Professional Appraisal: If you plan to insure, sell, or feature this as part of a collection, a professional appraisal is advised, especially to verify the jade material.

Conclusion:

This inside-painted Chinese crystal snuff bottle is a high-quality decorative piece in excellent condition, with collectible appeal due to its detailed imagery, cultural symbolism, and craftsmanship. While it may not be an antique, its artistic value, condition, and potential jade stopper contribute to a strong mid-range collectible value.