li bien...

...ornament

perhaps this isn't the most fascinating of ornaments you've ever seen - in terms of what it represents or how it looks - we've all seen the christ child and family - in a variety of interpretations - some simple, some very elaborate... all can ring true to what the season is about - however, this particular ornament grabbed me because it's done via the art of "inside painting" or li bien... have you heard of it? i hadn't...

"inside painting" orginated in china during the qing dynasty - it's been a respected chinese art for over 200 years - this ornament was mouth-blown... then meticulously hand-painted by an artisan - it requires skill and concentration because the image is painted in reverse - through a tiny opening in the glass... is that not the coolest ever? first off, i can't imagine painting the image - but then to do it in reverse on the inside of the glass, is beyond comprehension... mainly due to my klutzy nature - so i was intrigued with this globe, the technique used and knew it had to be part of my ornament collection... sometimes we are just certain - of those things that will lead us to...

a

happy day.....