A late 19^th century Chinese export silver mug, Canton circa 1870, marked Feng Zhao Ji

Qing dynasty. Of tapering cylindrical form with reeded rims, the handle formed as a Chinese dragon with saw cut and engraved frills and applied wrought work horns. The body with embossed and pierced ajouré decoration of trailing Chinese dragons amidst clouds centred upon an applied vacant shield shape cartouche. Gilt interior. Marked underneath 冯朝记 (FENG ZHAO JI the workshop of Feng Zhao).

Height – 12 cm / 4.75 inches

Weight – 279 grams / 8.97 ozt

A goblet dated 1884 by this maker was sold Christie’s South Kensington, 8 Dec 2009, lot 411 (£2250 incl. prem)

Two exmaples of mugs using this rare ajouré technique retailed by Cum Shing with pseudo hallmarks are illustrated Marlowe, A.J. (1990) Chinese Export Silver – Catalogue of an exhibition at the galleries of John Sparks. London: John Sparks Limited p.28-29, f.10-11. The presence of pseudo marks on these two examples would date them likely to the 1850-60 decades.