Rock crystal snuff box, China, 19th century, painted on the inside by Ye Zhongsan in 1906 The translucent rock crystal bottle is carved in high relief in yellow inclusions of two fish in seaweed on one side and incised on the reverse with a tree and a figure sitting on a rock under a cliff. It has been painted inside with red and black fish in seaweed. Signed Ye Zhongsan and dated 1906. Height : 6,5 cm Small accident in the crystal and some lack of polychromy. Provenance: Robert Hall, London. Ye Zhongsan (1870?-1945) is one of the greatest artists specialized in snuffbox painting. Originally from Beijing, he set up his "studio" called The Apricot Grove Studio where he trained his three sons. Rather classical at the beginning of his career, his style will become recognizable by the bright red, green and blue colors of his palette. Fish is a recurring subject for Ye Zhongsan, usually in glass bottles. Here, the artist paints the interior of a 19th century crystal bottle with citrine yellow inclusions carved with fish. He liked to paint in old snuffboxes whether they were made of crystal, agate, or even amber. 1906 - 叶仲三浮雕双鱼内画水晶鼻烟壶