A late 19^th / early 20^th century Chinese export silver goblet, Shanghai circa 1900, marked Ning Zhao Ji, retailed by Tien Sheng of Hong Kong

Qing dynasty. Of rounded circular form, the stem section formed as three crossed rowing oars, all upon a stepped domed circular base. The body with embossed and chased decoration of rural figures about farming and village life, including two seated figures playing Mahjong, all against fir trees and bamboo with a textured ground. The front with a vacant shield shape cartouche. Marked to the footrim edge with artisan mark 甯兆記 (NING ZHAO JI, the workshop of Ning Zhao), and retailer’s mark T.S twice.

Height – 15.7 cm / 6.2 inches

Weight – 234 grams / 7.52 ozt

Ning Zhao

A prominent workshop supplying high quality wares to a variety of retailers, especially Luen Wo of Shanghai.

A pierced bowl by this workshop and retailed by Luen Wo is illustrated Devereux Kernan, K. (1985), The Chait Collection of Chinese Export Silver. New York: Chait Galleries. p. 134-35, f. 127.

A footed vase by this workshop is illustrated Kwan. S. (2018) Chinese Export Silver – The Muwen Tang Collection. Hong Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Arts Publication Ltd. p.296-297, f. 111.

A crane form centrepiece by this workshop and retailed by Tuck Chang was sold Christie’s New York, Robert and Satsuko Young Collection of Chinese Export Silver, 28 Oct 2014, lot 14, ($8750 incl. prem)

A vase by this workshop was sold Christie’s New York, Robert and Satsuko Young Collection of Chinese Export Silver, 28 Oct 2014, lot 26 ($1500 incl. prem)

A goblet by this workshop was sold Christie’s New York, Robert and Satsuko Young Collection of Chinese Export Silver, 28 Oct 2014 lot 69 ($2000 incl. prem)

A chrysanthemum bowl by this workshop and retailed by Luen Wo was sold Bonhams, Knightsbridge, 1 Nov 2021, lot 551 (£2167.50 incl. prem)

A teapot by this workshop and retailed by Kwan Wo of Hong Kong was sold Tennants, 15 July 2023, lot 2080 (£350 hammer)

A pierced bowl by this workshop and retailed by Wa Chun of Canton and Hong Kong was offered these rooms, 19 Oct 2022, lot 418