A Chinese Inside-Painted Glass Sphere Paperweight, 20th Century

A Chinese inside-painted clear glass spherical paperweight, 20th century. Executed in reverse painting through a narrow circular aperture at the base, the interior depicts the traditional auspicious subject of cats and butterflies (*maodie*), symbolizing longevity. A ginger-and-white kitten and a black-and-white companion sit among soft grassy mounds and garden rocks beneath arching branches of red blossoms, gazing at hovering butterflies. The composition is accompanied by a three-character inscription reading *Mao Die Tu* in running script. The transparent glass sphere provides subtle optical magnification to the detailed interior brushwork.Width 3.5 inches

Condition
Light surface wear and minor faint scuffs to the exterior glass consistent with gentle handling. Ground aperture at the base shows expected minor edge abrasions. The interior painting remains intact with well-preserved pigments.