Antique Chinese Export reverse painting on glass made for European Market.

The painting is a portrait of a fashionable European Woman.

She wears a blue off-the-shoulder dress, with gold embellishments, and her shoulders are covered by a green cape. Atop her tight curls, she wears a fancy red hat with white and yellow feathers.

The glass is immediately identifiable as antique. It is not straight, flat glass like you find in mass-produced or modern pieces, the glass is wavy and imperfect with air bubbles and imperfections. Unfortunately, this handmade antique glass is not as structurally sound as modern glass, as evident by the unfortunate crack on the top right corner of the painting.

This type of art was often produced as a highly desirable export sold in European cities. There are very few of these still remaining in existence as they were quite susceptible to damage.

There is no signature or mark of any kind visible without taking apart the frame. These Chinese reverse paintings on glass were typically produced during the early to mid-1800s.

The details you find on reverse glass paintings are incredible. The line detail is incredible and paint quality is wonderful, as it is not subject to the type of aging and oxidization that a painting on canvas or board would be.

It does appear to have possibly been reframed at some point in its life, although not recently, as the frame is older as well, likely 1950s.

A true treasure that is ready to be added to a private collection for years to come!

Dimensions:
12.5" x 11" x 1"