Antique lamps are found in many materials and The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co have added several examples in antique Peking glass.
China has been producing glass since about 700 BC and it is apparent that glass did not rate Imperial patronage until the late 17th century with the Kang Xi Emperor (1662-1722) establishing the first state glass factory as an Imperial workshop in 1696. The workshop was located within the palace walls of the Forbidden City and was staffed with the best craftsmen to be found in China.
The Chinese glass making skill, well known in the West as "Peking glass" was introduced to the Chinese by a 17th century German Jesuit missionary priest. The missionary supervised the establishment of the Imperial workshop and brought many Western techniques of glass and enamel work to the Chinese court. As a result, Peking glass has been correctly described as a "stepchild" in the great family of Chinese decorative arts.
Interestingly the introduction of snuff, or finely powdered tobacco, led to the establishment of the Imperial workshop. Due to the fast developing habit of using snuff at the Imperial court it gained popularity in high society and glass snuff bottles were produced. They were used by the Imperial family or given as gifts to civil and military ministers of the Imperial court and foreign diplomats.
The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co carries a range of antique Peking glass products.