An early 20^th century Chinese export silver ink stand, Canton circa 1910 by Qiao Yuan Sheng, retailed by Hung Chong of Shanghai

Qing dynasty, of rectangular form with re-entrant corners raised upon shaped bracket feet, flat chased as clouds. The stand centred with a dragon’s head, flanked by clear glass ink well’s, each topped with hinged bulbous caps chased with dragons. The stand with die-rolled rosette pattern. Marked twice underneath with artisan mark 盛原巧 (QIAO YUAN SHENG), and with retailer’s mark HC, the inkwell caps unmarked.

Length – 15.3 cm / 6 inches

Weight – 226 grams / 7.27 ozt