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The Art of Inside-Painting

Inside painting (also known as reverse painting) is the ancient practice of painting the inside surface of a glass object, traditionally by Buddhist monks on Chinese snuff bottles during The Chinese Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Over time, the mysterious and highly acclaimed technique lost appeal and in an attempt to ignite its popularity, the technique was applied to glass Christmas decorations. TOM MARTIN's formation in 2010 was set out with an aim to re-energise this much-loved craft for another 200 years by marrying Western design and storytelling with the ancient artisanal craft.

The story of inside painting reads that a travelling businessman, who stopped for rest in a small temple, scratched on the inside surface of his snuff bottle in order to obtain its last remaining contents. Upon doing so, he etched on the inside surface forming a pattern. This bottle was later found by a young Monk of the temple from where the origins of inside-painting grew.