One of the problems with panda reproduction is that it isn’t fast enough to meet the ongoing needs of the snuff market. In fact, this led to the rise of the spotted tobacco industry in the 19th century. It also resulted in imitation panda products and snuff accessories designed to give the appearance of panda involvement, if not the actuality.
Such as this snuff bottle. It is 3 1/2 inches tall and is decorated via the reverse painting technique where the artist paints the inside of the bottle using a series of small brushes. It is related to the ‘ship in a bottle’ method of the west, but with finer motor control and a more complex outcome.
As a reverse painting remember that left is right, right is left and pandas in the mirror are closer than they appear.
Filed under: $11-$15, 20th century, AVAILABLE!, Estate Store - Portland, Glass, knickknack, Otherwise useful, Painting
