An early 20^th century Chinese export silver “spittoon or cuspidor” bowl, Canton circa 1920, marked Tai Chang Long, retailed by Wang Hing

Republic period. The globular body with an everted broad wavy edge with a moulded rim. The body with cast and applied decoration of peonies and flowering prunus, interspersed with four moths, and two peacocks, one in display. The wavy rim section with flowering prunus attended to by moths. Marked underneath 泰昌隆 (TAI CHANG LONG), numeral 90, and retailer’s mark WH.

Diameter – 18.2 cm / 7.1 inches

Height – 13.6 cm / 5.55 inches

Weight – 728 grams / 23.41 ozt

Tai Chang Long

This workshop is noted for producing this idiosyncratic form of bowl modelled after the European spittoon, or in Portuguese a cuspidor. Although unlikely to be intended for use as vessels for excess saliva as their European inspirations were, they also are not likely to be used for spitting as part of the chewing of betel quid that was popular throughout much of South East Asia, equally settled by the British. Essentially these cuspidor bowls are an interesting example of the referencing of European forms within Chinese silversmithing to produce wares for consumption by Western buyers.

A spittoon bowl retailed by Hung Cong and probably by this workshop is illustrated Silver Magazine March / April 2002 Collectors Forum: Chinese Export Silver. p.38, f.19.

Two spittoon bowls by this workshop, retailed by Wang Hing is illustrated Kwan. S. (2018) Chinese Export Silver – The Muwen Tang Collection. Hong Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Arts Publication Ltd. p.360-363, f.142-143.

A spittoon bowl by this workshop, retailed by Wang Hing was sold Bonham’s Edinburgh, 22 March 2012, lot 180 (£1750 incl. prem)

A twin handled bowl by this workshop and retailed by Wang Hing is illustrated Devereux Kernan, K. (1985), The Chait Collection of Chinese Export Silver. New York: Chait Galleries. p. 176, f. 185.

A large punch bowl with wavey rim formed of a cut and applied edge, the body with cast and applied decoration of birds, flowers, and chrysanthemums, by this workshop and retailed by Wang Hing, illustrated Chan. D. (2005) Chinese Export Silver – The Chan Collection. Singapore: The Asian Civilisations Museum. p.44, f.42.

A sugar bowl and milk jug by this workshop, and retailed by Hung Chong of Shanghai, was offered at these rooms 11 Oct 2023, lot 148.