A late 19^th century Chinese export silver standing cup, Canton dated 1886 marked Quan Ji, retailed by Wang Hing

Qing dynasty. Of campana form upon a baluster knop stem with a spreading circular base, the sides with wrought strap scroll handles with central spiral roundels. The body with embossed decoration of a figural battle scene, of warriors on horseback, with footmen holding a shield with a demon face, all to one side, the other with figures in a courtly scene, including a noble figure being fanned by an attendant, all reserved with fir trees, willows, and bamboo against a textured ground. The front with a shield shape cartouche engraved with a presentation inscription reading “Moor 17 October 1886”. The baluster section with chased decoration of palmettes below arabesques with a finely textured ground. The stem section with engraved and engine turned simple bands of repeating lozenges and interwoven lines, the foot with a beaded edge section. Traces of gilding to the interior. Marked to foot edge with artisan mark 泉記 (QUAN JI, the workshop of Quan), numeral 90, and retailer’s mark WH.

Height – 24 cm / 9.45 inches

Weight – 554 grams / 17.81 ozt

Quan

A standing cup dated 1883 by this workshop and retailed by Cum Wo of Hong Kong is illustrated Marlowe, A.J. (1990) Chinese Export Silver – Catalogue of an exhibition at the galleries of John Sparks. London: John Sparks Limited. p.26, f. 8.

A mug dated 1891 for the Shanghai Rowing Club, by this workshop and retailed by Lee Ching of Shanghai was sold these rooms, 19 March 2024, lot 189 (£2750 incl. prem)

It is likely this mark 泉記 (the workshop of Quan), also relates to the mark 泉 (QUAN) alone, having changed around 1880. This mark has been seen on:

A twin handled cup and cover retailed by Lee Ching sold Christie’s New York, the Posner collection of Chinese Export Silver, 22 Aug 2019, lot 1 ($13,750 incl. prem)

A mug dated 1879 retailed by Lee Ching sold Christie’s New York, the Posner collection of Chinese Export Silver, 22 Aug 2019, lot 45 ($5250 incl. prem)

A teapot stand/waiter also retailed by Wang Hing offered these rooms 3 March 2022, lot 111