A late 19^th / early 20^th century Chinese export silver ewer, Canton circa 1900 marked Ye Bo, retailed by Wang Hing

Qing dynasty. Of baluster form upon a spreading circular foot, the C scroll handle modelled as a prunus branch, leading to a hinged domed lid of conforming shape surmounted by an affixed finial modelled as a prunus branch surrounded by cast and applied prunus flowers and flat chased branches. The body with finely chased and embossed decoration of iris flowers attended to by ten storks, some fishing for eels, in the background buildings against a rocky outcrop, all against a textured ground. Engraved to front of foot 畸 (JI). Marked underneath with artisan mark underneath 葉伯 (YE BO), numeral 90, and retailer’s mark WH.

Height – 28.7 cm / 11.25 inches

Weight – 648 grams / 20.83 ozt

Ye Bo

A prominent workshop in Canton noted for finely worked figural or scenic tableau, this workshop almost exclusively supplied the Canton retailer Wang Hing and the Shanghai retailer Luen Wo.

Another ewer by this workshop and retailed by Wang Hing, with the same form of handle and lid with finial is illustrated Chan. D. (2005) Chinese Export Silver – The Chan Collection. Singapore: The Asian Civilisations Museum. p.33, f.19.

A kettle/teapot by this workshop retailed by Luen Wo of Shanghai with an embossed battle scene was sold these rooms, 19 March 2024 lot 191 (£4500 incl. prem)

A three-piece tea set by this workshop with figural scenes retailed by Sing Fat and Wing Fat, the only recorded example of this combination of workshop with both retailers was sold these rooms 16 May 2022, lot 266 (£9375 incl. prem)

A tea caddy marked for this workshop and retailed by Wang Hing, was sold Christie’s New York, the Posner collection of Chinese Export Silver, 22 Aug 2019, Lot 13 ($2750 incl. prem)