Silver

LARGE CHINESE EXPORT SILVER "TWIN DRAGON" CIGARETTE ...

A rare and well-preserved example of 1920 from Hong Kong/Shanghai, circa 1920, noted for its craftsmanship, material quality, and historical relevance.

An impressive and substantial Republic Period cigarette box retailed by the prestigious firm Wang Hing & Co. (Hong Kong/Shanghai). This rectangular box features a hinged lid showcasing masterful repoussé and pierced openwork. The decoration depicts two celestial Chinese dragons with scales in high relief, undulating through a stylized cloudscape in pursuit of the ''Flaming Sacred Pearl''---which remains unengraved as a central cartouche. The box exhibits the high level of artistry that made Wang Hing the premier name in Chinese Export Silver. The base is struck with the retailer's ''WH'' mark, the silver purity numeral ''90,'' and the artisan workshop mark for He Wo. With a significant weight of 600 grams, this is a heavy-gauge luxury item that seamlessly blends traditional Eastern motifs with Western functional elegance.

— Details

Reference

SA1196698

Origin

Hong Kong/Shanghai, circa 1920

Period

1920

Dimensions

W 18.6cm

Weight

600 g

Provenance

Private Collection, London

Condition

Excellent — see description