A late 19^th century Chinese export silver mug, Canton circa 1870, marked Hui, retailed by Cum Wo of Hong Kong

Qing dynasty. Of tapering cylindrical form with moulded rims, the handle formed as a Chinese dragon with saw cut and engraved frills and applied wrought work horns. The body with chased decoration of two pagodas and a temple between, populated with figures, the background with bamboo. The front with a vacant shield shape cartouche. Double skinned interior. Marked underneath with artisan mark 匯 (HUI), and retailer’s mark CW.

Height – 10.8 cm / 4.25 inches

Weight – 203 grams / 6.53 ozt

Hui

An earlier period and quite prolific workshop with many pieces dated to the 1870’s and possibly earlier.

A mug by this workshop is listed Marlowe, A.J. (1990) Chinese Export Silver – Catalogue of an exhibition at the galleries of John Sparks. London: John Sparks Limited. p.38, f.20.

A standing cup by this workshop is illustrated ibid p.38-39, f.21.

A standing cup by this workshop and retailed by Sun Shing is illustrated ibid p.66-67, f.55.

A statuette (spill vase) by this workshop and retailed by Lee Ching is illustrated Devereux Kernan, K. (1985), The Chait Collection of Chinese Export Silver. New York: Chait Galleries. p. 120-121, f. 113.

A figural christening set dated 1874 by this workshop and retailed by Sun Shing is illustrated ibid, p. 161, f. 166.

A hexagonal ‘Fu’ tea caddy by this workshop and retailed by Wing Chung of Hong Kong is illustrated ibid, p. 219, f..244.

A centrepiece bowl with crane supports by this work shop and retailed by Sun Shing is illustrated Silver Magazine March / April 2002 Collectors Forum: Chinese Export Silver. (front cover), p.35.

A figural cup by this workshop and retailed by Yatshing is illustrated ibid, p. 235, f. 267.

A mug dated 1872 by this workshop and retailed by Sun Shing is illustrated Kwan. S. (2018) Chinese Export Silver – The Muwen Tang Collection. Hong Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Arts Publication Ltd. p. 160-161, f. 43.

A standing cup dated 1877 was sold Tennants, 11 Nov 2023, lot 2046 (£1500 hammer)