A late 19^th / early 20th century Chinese export silver jardinière stand, Shanghai circa 1900, marked Heng Lai, retailed by Tuck Chang of Shanghai

Qing dynasty. Of rectangular form raised upon four scroll feet formed as Chinese dragons, the heads with cut sheet frills and tubular horns, the upper section with a pierced galleried frieze of bamboo. The bombe body with chased decoration of alternating panels of a figural scene against architecture and firs trees, chrysanthemums, bamboo, two Chinese dragon’s amidst clouds centred by the flaming sacred pearl as a vacant cartouche. Marked underneath with artisan mark 恒來 (HENG LAI), and retailer’s mark TC.

Length – 19.2 cm / 7.5 inches

Weight – 583 grams / 18.74 ozt

Heng Lai

A twin handled cup and cover by this workshop and retailed by Cum Shing is illustrated Chan. D. (2005) Chinese Export Silver – The Chan Collection. Singapore: The Asian Civilisations Museum. p.72, f.94.

A twin handled cup by this workshop and retailed by Luen Wo was sold Sotheby’s New York, 20 Jan 2024, lot 7 (part-lot $22,860 incl. prem)

A mug by this workshop and retailed by Cum Wo, was sold Christie’s New York, the Posner collection of Chinese Export Silver, 22 Aug 2019, lot 12 ($1125 incl. prem)

A pair of bowls by this workshop and retailed by Yung Lei of Hong Kong and Canton was sold these rooms, 11 Oct 2023, lot 141 (£325 incl. prem)

A three-piece tea service by this workshop, retailed by Kwan Wo, was sold these rooms, 20 Feb 2018, lot 281 (£2600 hammer)

A three-piece tea service by this workshop and retailed Wa Chun of Hong Kong was sold Olympia Auctions, 14 July 2020, lot 34 (£1300 hammer)