ANTIQUE 19thC CHINESE EXPORT SILVER TWO-HANDLE CUP & COVER, LUEN WO c.1880
Antique 19th Century Chinese export solid silver presentation cup & cover, of traditional urn shape, the body is embossed with beautiful scenes in relief depicting Chinese nobility amongst village landscape, between Greek key borders and above a band of dragons amongst clouds, one side with a vacant shield cartouche, both sides applied with branch form handles issuing from grapevine, the cover set with a male Foo dog finial with articulated eyes and ball in paw. Foo dogs are thought to protect the building from harmful spiritual influences and harmful people that might be a threat. The sides applied with stylised bamboo scroll handles, the cover embossed with dragons among clouds, dragon's head finial, standing on a domed spreading circular foot embossed with scrolling foliage, centred with a vacant shield cartooche.
Hallmarked with makers Kun He and with Retailers mark LUENWO for Luen Wo.
Reference Number: C6518
DESCRIPTION
Antique 19th Century Chinese export solid silver presentation cup & cover, of traditional urn shape, the body is embossed with beautiful scenes in relief depicting Chinese nobility amongst village landscape, between Greek key borders and above a band of dragons amongst clouds, one side with a vacant shield cartouche, both sides applied with branch form handles issuing from grapevine, the cover set with a male Foo dog finial with articulated eyes and ball in paw. Foo dogs are thought to protect the building from harmful spiritual influences and harmful people that might be a threat. The sides applied with stylised bamboo scroll handles, the cover embossed with dragons among clouds, dragon's head finial, standing on a domed spreading circular foot embossed with scrolling foliage, centred with a vacant shield cartooche.
Hallmarked with makers Kun He and with Retailers mark LUENWO for Luen Wo.
Luen Wo was a very important retail silversmith based in Shanghai, he also traded in jewellery, diamonds and embroideries. His artworks show a very high quality that only equals the standards of Wang Hing, in Canton. Luen Wo was very productive and relied on a large number of designers and artisans, such as Ning Zhao Ji. His items generally bear the mark with his full name or the initials LW and the mark of the artisan who realised the piece. The firm mainly produced items in the traditional Chinese style, featuring classical motifs such as bamboo leaves, prunus blossoms, chrysanthemums and dragons but, especially after 1880, he is recorded as having also made Peranakan-style items.
CONDITION
In Great Condition - No Damage.
SIZE
Height: 33cm
Width: 21 x 14cm
Weight: 1005g