AN INSIDE-PAINTED AGATE SNUFF BOTTLE Liu Shouben, circa 1970AN INSIDE-PAINTED AGATE SNUFF BOTTLELiu Shouben, circa 1970Of compressed spherical form standing on an oval footrim, with a cylindrical neck and subtly recessed lip, the pale gray and brown-toned matrix displaying darker color bands encircling the body of the bottle, the narrow sides surmounted with a pair of raised faux lion mask-and-ring handles; the interior painted on one side with two seated figures in conversation by rocks, the verso depicting a man grooming a horse in a river under a willow tree; inscribed above with Shouben zuo (executed by Shouben), with one seal mark painted in red. 2 1/4in (5.6cm) high約1970年前後 劉守本 瑪瑙内畫洗馬圖刻舖首啣環紋鼻煙壺一件《守本》款Provenance:Joan and Ted Dorf Collection, no. 18Liu Shouben (1942-2022) was one of the four inside-painted artists, along with Wang Xisan, Ye Shuyin and Ding Guiling, who was taught the art by two of the sons of Ye Zhongsan: Ye Xiaofeng and Ye Bengqi. In 1984 Liu was honored as a 'Beijing Arts and Crafts Master' and it was through him that the Beijing School of inside-painting has flourished.