ANTIQUE 19thC CHINESE EXPORT WANG HING SOLID SILVER MASSIVE WINE EWER c.1890
19th Century Chinese Export silver wine ewer, impressive and exceptionally fine, of baluster form, the body showing a compendium of the finest techniques and styles used in Chinese Export Silver: the domed circular base chased with stylized acanthus leaves, the round body decorated with diamond shaped medallions on each side depicting various designs and themes, three panels depicting densely populated village scenes, surrounded by buildings and trees, the others depicting lemurs feeding on fruit trees, moths amongst bamboo leaves and a shield shaped cartouche surrounded by carps and crab feeding on plankton, around engraved with stylized cross-key boarders, the handle realistically modelled as a water dragon, hinged cover surmounted by a grapevine finial.
Hallmarked Chinese silver 90 (900+ silver), Retailer's mark "WH" for Wang Hing
Reference Number: A5316
DESCRIPTION
Antique 19th Century Chinese Export solid silver wine ewer, impressive and exceptionally fine, of baluster form, the body showing a compendium of the finest techniques and styles used in Chinese Export Silver: the domed circular base chased with stylized acanthus leaves, the round body decorated with diamond shaped medallions on each side depicting various designs and themes, three panels depicting densely populated village scenes, surrounded by buildings and trees, the others depicting lemurs feeding on fruit trees, moths amongst bamboo leaves and a shield shaped cartouche surrounded by carps and crab feeding on plankton, around engraved with stylized cross-key boarders, the handle realistically modelled as a water dragon, hinged cover surmounted by a grapevine finial.
The decoration is extremely crisp and detailed, the ewer shows almost all the patterns and decorative techniques used in Chinese Export silver, such as engraved stylized foliage, bamboo leaves, animals, applied dragon handle and the most popular and sought after village scenes depicting nobility.
The base is Hallmarked Chinese silver 90 (900+ silver standard, tested is 900+ standard), Retailer's mark "WH" for Wang Hing, the most important and renown Chinese Export luxury retailer and silver manufacturer active in Hong Kong, Canton and Shanghai. Wang Hing was probably responsible for producing more Chinese Export Silver than any other Chinese retail silversmith. The company was also one of the first to establish a large retail emporium that grew to sell a wide variety of luxury goods.
(for more information please see A. Von Ferscht, Chinese Export Silver 1785-1940, 4th edition 2015).
CONDITION
In Excellent Condition - No Damage.
SIZE
Height: 38cm
Width: 18 x 13cm
Weight: 835g