It was listed by AC Silver. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.
AC Silver has dated this Chinese Export Silver Bowl to the 1890s.
This impressive Chinese Export Silver (CES) bowl has a circular rounded form.
The decoration to the body incorporates illustrations of three of the four noble plants: bamboo stalks, prunus branches and chrysanthemum.
The body is further embellished with a panel depicting three figures (wenren) by scholar's rocks (gong shi) and another bearing Sanxing, the gods of the celestial bodies known as FU (?), SHOU (?) and LU (?)*.
The final panel depicts a traditional oriental undulating dragon amidst cloud designs.
Each panel is segmented with a plain rounded border, conjoining at the rim to make an incurved design.
This exceptional Chinese silver bowl is fitted with three exceptional embossed scrolling dragon decorated feet; these three-dimensional figures conjoin the bowl at the rim in addition to suspending the body from the lower portion.
The bowl is fitted to the original carved cherry wood stand, ornamented with impressive scrolling designs.
The upper plateau of the stand bears three recesses to allow the aforementioned feet to sit securely in situ.
The hallmarks struck to the underside of this fine bowl include:
Retailer's mark: WH (??, Wang Hing, Canton & Honk Kong)
Artisan workshop mark: JIA JI (??, Canton & Hong Kong))
NOTE: We are grateful to Adrien von Ferscht for his help in identifying the hallmarks and providing insight to the ornamentation.
SHOU is the symbol for 'longevity', FU symbolises 'good fortune' and LU is the deity of prosperity, rank and influence; the Chinese character LU ? specifically refers to the salary of a government official.
The dragon is the highest-ranking creature in the Chinese animal lexicon and is one of the most revered animals in Chinese history.
Condition
This antique Chinese bowl is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition.
The chased and embossed decoration is all very sharp.
The CES hallmarks struck to the underside of the bowl are all very clear.
Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this exceptional Chinese silver bowl with dragon handles on a plinth.
Dimensions
Height 13.4cm/5.28'
Height of bowl 8.5cm/3.35'
Length across handles 16.6cm/6.54'
Diameter 13.8cm/5.43'
Weight
10.1 troy ounces/312.7g (excluding plinth)
Maker: Wang Hing & Co.
Date: Circa 1890
Origin: China
A video is available upon request.
AC Silver has dated this Chinese Export Silver Bowl to the 1890s.
Welcome to ac silver antique silver and antique jewellery specialists since 1977
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the AC Silver Profile Page
AC Silver is a registered member of LAPADA CINOA
Antique Chinese Export Silver Bowl on Stand Circa 1890
