ANTIQUE 19thC CHINESE EXPORT SOLID SILVER CUP & COVER, KWONG HING LOONG c.1890
19th Century Chinese export silver cup with cover, of an inverted and square pear shape, standing on a square base, the body showing a compendium of the finest styles used in Chinese export silver, first panel depicting two flying dragons chasing the pear of wisdom amongst clouds, second blooming chrysanthemum flowers, third a blossoming cherry tree with flying birds and fourth a lush bamboo forest with birds.
Hallmarked with the retailers mark KHL for Kwong Hing Loong & Company.
Reference Number: A6308
DESCRIPTION
Antique late-19th Century Chinese export large and very unusual solid silver cup with cover, of an inverted and square pear shape, standing on a square base, the body showing a compendium of the finest styles used in Chinese export silver, first panel depicting two flying dragons chasing the pear of wisdom amongst clouds, second blooming chrysanthemum flowers, third a blossoming cherry tree with flying birds and fourth a lush bamboo forest with birds.
The decoration is extremely crisp and detailed, the cup shows almost all the patterns and most popular decorative techniques used at the time, like the engraved stylized scrolling foliage, acanthus leaf and cross-key boarders, dense bamboo leaves, realistic dragons in relief, chrysanthemums flowers, blossoming cherry trees, flying and perched birds. The sides are mounted with very unusual and large bat handles, a symbol of happiness and joy in Chinese culture and the lid mounted with an eagle a symbol of strength. The cup is particularly large, heavy and very well crafted, by one of the most outstanding Chinese silver retailers.
The base hallmarked with the retailers mark KHL for Kwong Hing Loong & Company (active 1880-1920), For more information please see A.Von Ferscht, Chinese Export Silver 1785-1940, 4th edition 2015, page 355.
CONDITION
In Great Condition - No Damage.
SIZE
Height: 43cm
Width: 35 x 23cm
Weight: 1455g