Chinese Export Reverse Glass Painting depicting a Chinese Courtier

Period: 1800-1900

Origin: China

Medium: Wood, Reverse glass painting, Brass

Literature: In England in the mid 18th century there was a great demand for Chinese reverse paintings on glass of native Chinese landscape scenes with or without figures. Generally the early export glass paintings used delicate palettes, and the later paintings of the 19th century lack the refinement and quality found in this particular example. As the trade progressed the subjects became simpler and tended to reflect the more general ‘tourist’ appeal of the Chinese export manufacturers of the mid to late 19th century.