An inscribed white glass 'scholar' snuff bottle by Zhou Honglai

Description:

China, late Qing dynasty
H. 5,2 cm
Semi-transparent white glass. Engraved on one main side with a depiction of a seated scholar under a tree by the river playing the qin zither, on the other side with the entirety of a parallel-prose essay "Spring Night Banquet in the Peach and Plum Garden" by the Tang poet, Li Bai - followed by a signature "Yanbin" and one seal of the artist "Zhou". Mark on the bottom possibly removed.
From an old Berlin private collection - Cf. Bonhams, New York, Chinese Art From the Scholars Studio, 15 September 2014, lot 8001 - Minor signs of wear, tiny chip to the footrim, no stopper
Zhou Honglai (also known as Yanbin and Yanbin jushi) was one of the best and most influential miniature engravers of the late Qing period among the literati. Glass was his favourite material