AN INSIDE-PAINTED GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE
Ye Family, 1936
Of flattened, rounded form with a cylindrical neck and a neatly carved oval footrim, painted on the inside using ink and watercolors with a continuous scene, on one main side Zhonggui's sister traveling in a sedan chair pushed by her attendant through a puddle of water on her way to her wedding, a demon leading the way in front of her, the reverse with Zhonggui, the Demon Queller, astride a mule surrounded by demons, one carrying a parasol, another with a jar from which bats are escaping, signed Ye Zhongsan with one red seal, yin and dated; stopper.
2 1/4in (5.6cm) high
Footnotes:
丙子年（1936） 玻璃内畫鍾馗嫁妹圖鼻煙壺一件
葉氏家族 《葉仲三》款

Provenance:
Clare Chu, August 24, 2009
Joan and Ted Dorf Collection, no. 227

According to legend, the Demon Queller, Zhonggui was originally a scholar who lacked the funds to attend the State Examinations until he enlisted the support of a wealthy benefactor, to whom Zhonggui promised his sister's hand in return. This is a popular theme on snuff bottles although Zhonggui does not always appear with his sister. The bottle has been painted continuously on the inside with the demons straddling the two narrow sides, and the two central characters on each main side.

There is a very small chip to the foot rim. The bottle is very well painted with lively colors.