What is Chinese export silver?

Chinese export silver refers to silver items produced in China primarily between the late 18th and mid-20th centuries for foreign markets. These pieces combine traditional Chinese artisan techniques, such as repousse and chasing, with Western functional forms.

What materials were traditionally used to make 19th-century silver canes?

19th-century silver canes typically feature sterling or coin silver handles mounted on durable hardwood shafts, such as ebony, rosewood, or malacca. Connections were secured using internal screw threads, collar mounts, or metal pins.

How do you identify authentic Chinese export silver pieces?

Authentic Chinese export silver often features workshop makers marks, character stamps, or retailer marks alongside Western-style purity stamps. The metalwork frequently displays characteristic hand-chased motifs like bamboo, dragons, or prunus blossoms.

How can an antique silver walking cane be displayed in a modern interior?

An antique walking cane can be displayed upright in a period umbrella stand, mounted horizontally on a wall display rack, or styled as a sculptural object within a bookshelf or glass cabinet.

How should antique silver walking canes be cared for and preserved?

Silver handles should be polished gently using a soft cotton cloth and dedicated silver polish to remove oxidisation without wearing down chased details. Wood shafts require occasional wiping with a dry microfiber cloth and wax polish to maintain the finish.

for sale €2,048 $2,223

£1,750

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Antique Hong Kong Silver Walking Cane Wang Hing & Company ?? 19thc

Name: Antique Hong Kong Silver Walking Cane Wang Hing & Company ?? 19thc
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1207696
Price: 1750 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is a very rare antique Canton and Hong Kong silver walking stick of 900 silver it is marked WH and WH90 – for Wang Hing & Company ?? – Dating from the late 19th Century.

The striking stick features an ornate silver crook handle applied with a beautiful silver overlay of delicate tree blossoms on a gentle tapering ebonized shaft. It is complete with its original brass ferrule.

Add an extravagant element to your daily life with this wonderful and rare Chinese silver walking cane.

Condition:

In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 94.5 cm x Width 10.5 cm x Depth 1.5 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 3 feet, 1 inch x Width 4 inches x Depth 1 inch

Wang Hing & Company (c.1854–1941)

was a premier Chinese retail silversmith and the most prolific producer of Chinese Export Silver in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded in Canton by the Lo family, the firm became known for high-quality, bespoke silverware, complex trophies, and traditional designs, with flagship stores in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Foundation: Established in Canton around 1854 by the Cantonese Lo family, growing rapidly following the rise of trade from Hong Kong in 1842.

Originally based at 1 Sai Hing Street, Canton, they established a major flagship store at Zetland House, 10 Queen's Road, Hong Kong.

Widely considered the leading maker of Chinese Export Silver and known for exceptional quality, they were the premier creator of custom trophies for sporting clubs and institutions.

Their designs often featured traditional Chinese motifs (dragons, bamboo) but were favoured by Westerners, notably acting as a supplier to Tiffany & Co. in New York.

The firm was steered by the Lo family, with Lo Kit Ping taking over in the 1860s, and later, Lo Hung Tong managing the Hong Kong location in the 1920s.

The business ceased operating around 1941 due to the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong.

Wang Hing was renowned for detailed, often heavy silver items featuring dragons, bamboo, and traditional Chinese narratives. They were also famous for creating high-quality silver, including replicas of Georgian-style pieces, that met international standards.

Size of cane that you need

Convert your height into inches. For example, if you are 5' 10” in your shoes, your height is 70 inches. Divide by two and then add ½ inch to determine your approximate cane size.In our example, if you are 70 inches tall (5' 10”), your approximate cane size would be 35” plus ½”= 35.5 inches.

Our reference: A5197

Physical Dimensions

Height

94.5cm (37.20")

Width

10.5cm (4.13")

Depth

1.5cm (0.59")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Antique Silver Walking Cane to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1207696

Dealers Internal Reference

A5197

Description

This is a very rare antique Canton and Hong Kong silver walking stick of 900 silver it is marked WH and WH90 – for Wang Hing & Company ?? – Dating from the late 19th Century.

“

The striking stick features an ornate silver crook handle applied with a beautiful silver overlay of delicate tree blossoms on a gentle tapering ebonized shaft.

Regent Antiques

It is complete with its original brass ferrule.

fig 1. A 19th-century walking cane featuring a curved silver crook handle embossed with cherry blossom motifs attached to a dark wood shaft. — fig 1. Antique Hong Kong Silver Walking Cane Wang Hing & Company ?? 19thc

Add an extravagant element to your daily life with this wonderful and rare Chinese silver walking cane.

Condition:

In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 94.5 cm x Width 10.5 cm x Depth 1.5 cm

fig 2. A 19th-century walking cane featuring a curved silver crook handle embossed with cherry blossom motifs attached to a dark wood shaft. — fig 2. Antique Hong Kong Silver Walking Cane Wang Hing & Company ?? 19thc

Dimensions in inches:

Height 3 feet, 1 inch x Width 4 inches x Depth 1 inch

Wang Hing & Company (c.1854–1941)

was a premier Chinese retail silversmith and the most prolific producer of Chinese Export Silver in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded in Canton by the Lo family, the firm became known for high-quality, bespoke silverware, complex trophies, and traditional designs, with flagship stores in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

fig 3. A 19th-century walking cane featuring a curved silver crook handle embossed with cherry blossom motifs attached to a dark wood shaft. — fig 3. Antique Hong Kong Silver Walking Cane Wang Hing & Company ?? 19thc

Foundation: Established in Canton around 1854 by the Cantonese Lo family, growing rapidly following the rise of trade from Hong Kong in 1842.

Originally based at 1 Sai Hing Street, Canton, they established a major flagship store at Zetland House, 10 Queen's Road, Hong Kong.

fig 4. A 19th-century walking cane featuring a curved silver crook handle embossed with cherry blossom motifs attached to a dark wood shaft. — fig 4. Antique Hong Kong Silver Walking Cane Wang Hing & Company ?? 19thc

Widely considered the leading maker of Chinese Export Silver and known for exceptional quality, they were the premier creator of custom trophies for sporting clubs and institutions.

Their designs often featured traditional Chinese motifs (dragons, bamboo) but were favoured by Westerners, notably acting as a supplier to Tiffany & Co. in New York.

fig 5. A 19th-century walking cane featuring a curved silver crook handle embossed with cherry blossom motifs attached to a dark wood shaft. — fig 5. Antique Hong Kong Silver Walking Cane Wang Hing & Company ?? 19thc

The firm was steered by the Lo family, with Lo Kit Ping taking over in the 1860s, and later, Lo Hung Tong managing the Hong Kong location in the 1920s.

The business ceased operating around 1941 due to the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong.

fig 6. A 19th-century walking cane featuring a curved silver crook handle embossed with cherry blossom motifs attached to a dark wood shaft. — fig 6. Antique Hong Kong Silver Walking Cane Wang Hing & Company ?? 19thc

Wang Hing was renowned for detailed, often heavy silver items featuring dragons, bamboo, and traditional Chinese narratives. They were also famous for creating high-quality silver, including replicas of Georgian-style pieces, that met international standards.

fig 7. A 19th-century walking cane featuring a curved silver crook handle embossed with cherry blossom motifs attached to a dark wood shaft. — fig 7. Antique Hong Kong Silver Walking Cane Wang Hing & Company ?? 19thc

Size of cane that you need

Convert your height into inches. For example, if you are 5' 10” in your shoes, your height is 70 inches. Divide by two and then add ½ inch to determine your approximate cane size.In our example, if you are 70 inches tall (5' 10”), your approximate cane size would be 35” plus ½”= 35.5 inches.

Our reference: A5197