An unusual inside-painted glass snuff bottle Signed Zhou Leyuan, Possibly another hand

An unusual inside-painted glass snuff bottle Signed Zhou Leyuan, Possibly another hand Of upright rectangular form with sloping shoulders and a flat lip supported by an oval foot rim, painted with a continuous narrative scene with two figures seated on a rocky outcrop with sprouting lingzhi, seemingly focused on an unknown task, the other side apparently depicting the same two figures, now wearing cowls over their heads and in discussion whilst leaning against the trunk of an ancient pine tree, inscribed with a dedication and signed Zhou Leyuan with one painted seal. 2 3/8in (6.1cm) high Footnotes: 周樂元款 玻璃内畫山水人物鼻煙壺 Provenance Christie's, 9 December 1994, lot 505 來源 Christie's, 1994年12月9日, 拍品編號505 This is an extremely unusual subject matter and stylistically does not follow the usual style of Zhou Leyuan or his studio. It does however appear to date from the same period around the 1880-90's. The application of the paint however is first class and the subjects are painted with great facility. It may be the early work of another artist that still had to find his stride and thus used the signature of a more famous artist. Lot to be sold without reserve. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ¤ ¤ Without reserve For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing