What is Chinese Peking Glass?
Peking glass is an overlay carved glass created by layering material around a core, similar to Cameo glass. Peking glass is often made with different colored layers of glass, creating contrast when the outer layers are carved away.
Did the Chinese use glass?
In Chinese history, glass played a peripheral role in the arts and crafts, when compared to ceramics and metal work. The limited archaeological distribution and use of glass objects are evidence of the rarity of the material. Literary sources date the first manufacture of glass to the 5th century AD.
Did the Chinese ever invent glass?
Literary sources date the first manufacture of glass to the 5th century AD. However, the earliest archaeological evidence for glass manufacture in China comes from the Warring States period (475 BC to 221 BC). Chinese learned to manufacture glass comparatively later than the Mesopotamians, Egyptians and Indians.
When did glass arrive in China?
5th century BC
Imported glass objects first reached China during the late Spring and Autumn period (early 5th century BC), in the form of polychrome eye beads. These imports created the impetus for the production of indigenous glass beads.
What kind of art is made of Peking glass?
Peking Glass as a form of art thrived along the same course as snuff bottles, and reached its peak during the reign of Qianlong (1736-1795). In fact, all Peking Glass is referred to as Qianlong Glass in Japanese art society. Most of the early snuff bottles were made of Peking Glass. Other base materials followed gradually.
When was the peak of the Peking glass?
Peking Glass as a form of art thrived along the same course as snuff bottles, and reached its peak during the reign of Qianlong (1736-1795). In fact, all Peking Glass is referred to as Qianlong Glass in Japanese art society.
What kind of glass do they use in China?
Whereas Peking Glass snuff bottles exists as its own category, Peking Glass as a technique is also employed in vases, bowls and lidded or open jars. In China’s history, craftsmen’s names were never meant to be known.
What’s the process of carving glass in China?
It is a lengthy and tedious process that is time consuming and labor intensive. However, the result is exquisite and exotic, unlike carved glass from other countries and regions.
