A late 19^th century Chinese export silver box, Canton circa 1890, marked Shan Zhang, retailed by Cum Shing

Qing dynasty. Of rectangular form with a hinged lid. The sides and top with embossed and chased decoration of figural scenes with people against walk ways and architecture the lid with bamboo and fir trees, centred with a circular cartouche engraved with initials SFH in gothic script cypher. Gilt interior. Marked underneath with artisan mark 善彰 (SHAN ZHANG), and retailer’s mark CS.

Length – 12.5 cm / 4.95 inches

Weight – 364 grams / 11.7 ozt

Shan Zhang

A figural box by this workshop and retailed by Luen Wo, is illustrated Kwan. S. (2018) Chinese Export Silver – The Muwen Tang Collection. Hong Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Arts Publication Ltd. p.264-265, f.85.

A dragon box by this workshop and retailed by Luen Wo of Shanghai was sold these rooms, 20 Oct 2021, lot 246 (£625 incl. prem)

A figural chased beaker by this workshop and retailed by Luen Wo of Shanghai was sold these rooms, 11 Oct 2023, lot 144 (£625 incl. prem)