AN INSIDE-PAINTED GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE
Ye Family, Apricot Grove Studio, 1930
Of rectangular form with a cylindrical neck and an oval footrim, painted on the inside using ink and watercolors with a continuous scene, on one main side a pair of magpies flying among pine trees above blossoming peonies and magnolia, continued on the reverse side with a pair of long-tailed, crested birds perched in the branches of a large pine tree beside blossoming peonies and magnolia buds, signed Ye Zhongsan with one red seal, yin and dated; stopper.
2 3/4in (6.9cm) high
Footnotes:
庚午年（1930） 玻璃内畫牡丹花鳥鼻煙壺一件
葉氏家族 杏林齋 《葉仲三》款

Provenance:
Sotheby's, New York, April 6, 1990, lot 384
Joan and Ted Dorf Collection, no. 25

Literature:
JICSBS, Winter 2018, p.37, fig. 2

Exhibited:
The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, MD., September 30 – December 9, 2018

This inside-painted bottle is signed Ye Zhongsan but the style is very different from Ye Zhongsan's work. It is dated Autumn 1930 and this gives a clue to whom the painting could be attributed. Ye Bengzhen died in 1929 and Ye Xiaofeng took over as the lead painter at that time, having started painting alongside his father and older brother around 1920/1922. His younger brother, Ye Bengqi started painting around 1928 at which time there would have been four family members painting in order of seniority in the studio. Over time the sons' style of painting became clearer with Ye Bengqi showing a preference for bird and flower painting. Up until the closure of the Ye Family studio in 1949 Ye Bengqi did not use his own name. He began painting again in 1954 at which time he did sign a few bottles with his own name. By comparing the styles of bottles, such as this one, with Ye Bengqi's signed works this example can be attributed to him.

A well- designed and executed bottle in good condition.