Exquisite painting on the inside of a glass egg

Known as “inner painting” (neihua), the skill of painting inside a small oval glass egg, was developed in China over 200 years go. Using Tempura paint (pigments mixed with a water soluble medium, usually egg yolk) the artist creates a scene in reverse of what the observer sees. Such art is highly valued for the skill and the dexterity used in creating the portrait, landscape of other subject matter. This example shows a head and shoulders portrait of a formally dressed Chinese woman, with the rest of the surface dedicated to various coloured and sized leaves. As can be seen the egg is suspended on a small chain within a Rosewood frame. To my eye this is quite a muted / pale palate used by the artist and/ fading due to age.

As photographs form an important part of the description, happy to provide additional images if requested.

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