A rare late 19^th / early 20^th century Chinese export silver filigree box, Chengdu circa 1900, attributed to Rong Gao Ying Gold Shop

Qing dynasty. Of elongated octagonal form with a pull off domed lid surmounted by a faceted pyriform finial, all raised upon four filigree ball feet. The sides with filigree decoration of flower heads and scrolls alternating with panels of rosettes. Marked underneath 97银 (97 YIN / 97 silver).

Length – 8.2 cm / 3.25 inches

Weight – 168 grams / 5.4 ozt

Sold Dreweatts, 7 Dec 2011, lot 138 (£650 hammer)

This mark 97银 is noted upon a filigree dish additionally marked for Rong Gao Ying Gold Shop, illustrated Kwan. S. (2018) Chinese Export Silver – The Muwen Tang Collection. Hong Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Arts Publication Ltd. p. 510-511, f. 217.

These filigree items are also sometimes marked for the town mark of Chengdu and Li Sheng.