A mid to late 19^th century Chinese export silver standing cup, Canton circa 1870, marked Quan, retailed by Lee Ching

Qing dynasty. The plain rounded bowl upon a mount formed as a fire breath forming a pedestal base from of a Chinese dragon’s head with cut sheet frills, the base embossed to be amidst clouds, leading to a plain spreading section. The side of bowl engraved with a presentation inscription reading “Cp^t Schulze from Leong Fun Ting". Traces of gilding to the interior. Marked underneath with artisan mark 泉 (QUAN), and retailer’s mark LC.

Height – 22.2 cm / 8.75 inches

Weight – 259 grams / 8.33 ozt

Quan

A twin handled cup and cover by this workshop 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 by this workshop 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 by this workshop also retailed by Wang Hing offered these rooms 3 March 2022, lot 111

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

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)

A standing cup dated 1886 and retailed by Wang Hing also in this sale