Chinese Peking Glass Overlay Bowl

Story

Developed in the Imperial workshops of Beijing during the 17th century, Peking glass was created to mimic precious jade and porcelain. This specific style of overlay glass, known as 'tao liao,' required master carvers to painstakingly chip away the outer blue layer to reveal the white canvas beneath.

Maker / Origin

While individual artisans of Peking glass are rarely recorded by name, they worked in specialized glassworks established under the patronage of the Kangxi Emperor. These workshops brought together Jesuit technical knowledge of European glassmaking with traditional Chinese jade-carving techniques, creating a unique cross-cultural art form.

Condition & Value

The bowl appears to be in very good condition with no major visible chips, cracks, or deep scratches on the carved overlay. Minor shelf wear on the bottom of the foot ring is consistent with age. Excellent condition preserves the maximum value. Value is driven by the quality of the carving, the contrast of the colors, and the age.