A large late 19^th century Chinese Export silver lidded mug or tankard, Canton circa 1880 by Qiu Ji, retailed by Lee Ching of Canton and later Hong Kong

Qing dynasty, of tapering cylindrical form upon a moulded foot, the handle formed as a Chinese dragon with saw cut and engraved frills and applied wrought work horns. The pull off domed lid surmounted by a dragon’s head finial formed the same with a fall-out tongue, the body with embossed decoration of the body of the dragon amidst clouds. The body with finely and profusely embossed decoration of battle scenes depicting warriors on horseback with swords and flag staffs, many with large oval shields chased with grotesque faces, probably tiger shields. The opposing side with a courtly side, possibly depicting the fishing scholar Jiang Zi Ya visiting King Wen, the seated emperor before his palace with advisers and dignitaries bedsides him with a lion dog, a man kneeling before him, all surrounded with various sea scenes including man holding a wine pot and bowl on tray riding a giant shrimp, another rising a dragon in the ocean, another riding a turtle, two riding fish, all variously reserved with bamboo, peach trees and foliage with clouds. The front with a vacant shield shape cartouche, the underside of handle with a vacant rectangular cartouche. Double skinned interior. Marked underneath with retailer’s mark LC and artisan mark 求記 (QIU JI).

Height – 23.1 cm / 9.15 inches

Weight – 935 grams / 30.06 ozt

For further information on Qiu Ji pieces and Chinese Export silver please see our article Chinese Export Silver- Artisans and Retailers

Jeremy Taylor Collection, with S&J Stodel 16/6/2002