We have a number of what are known as “inside-painting” glass balls, hollow spheres painted through a tiny hole in the bottom of the glass. The practice began in the 19th century when craftspeople tried to find a way to protect paintings from dust and dirt. Painting on the inside of bottles and balls, using a tiny, slightly bent brush, allowed for paintings to maintain their vibrancy. The paintings are extraordinarily detailed, with remarkable workmanship. At the right you can see one of the Beijing-based inside-painting artisans at work.
Depending on their size, inside-painting balls sell for $98.00 to $142.00.
