[Photo from kunming.cn]

Designers paint on the reverse side of glass using various painting skills of traditional Chinese painting, oil painting and gouache. The patterns include natural scenery, scenic spots, historical sites, animals and plants. After painting, the glass is lacquered and sealed.

Glass-painting was used to decorate imperial buildings in the early days and later developed into handicrafts, such as hanging screens, table screens, folding screens and palace lanterns. It has appeared as a folk art since the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and became popular among rich people in Guangzhou and other coastal cities.

Glass-painting has great artistic and collectable value. Sheet glass, either imported or home-made, was very costly in the reign of Emperor Qianlong. Currently, glass-painting products in antique markets are mostly folk articles created during the late Qing Dynasty to the early Republic of China (1911–1949).