A late 19^th century Chinese export silver mug, Canton circa 1890, marked Shen Chang

Qing dynasty. Of baluster form with a reeded rim upon a domed circular foot, the handle formed as a prunus branch, with flowers at the bifurcated junction. The body with embossed and chased decoration of figures within a townscape, various buildings against fir trees, willows trees, and bamboo. The side with a shield shape cartouche engraved with initials ML in cursive script. Marked underneath with artisan mark only 慎昌 (SHEN CHANG), also with Portuguese import marks for 833 standard minimum Lisbon 1887-1937 and PART.

Height – 13.6 cm / 5.35 inches

Weight – 231 grams / 7.43 ozt

Shen Chang

An ewer dated 1891 by this workshop and retailed by Luen Wo is illustrated Devereux Kernan, K. (1985), The Chait Collection of Chinese Export Silver. New York: Chait Galleries. p.4,137 f.135.

A teapot by this workshop and retailed by Wang Hing is illustrated ibid p.194, f.208.

A pair of fish servers by this workshop and retailed by Cum Shing are illustrated Marlowe, A.J. (1990) Chinese Export Silver – Catalogue of an exhibition at the galleries of John Sparks. London: John Sparks Limited, p.24 f.6.

A standing cup by this workshop and retailed by Wang Hing is illustrated ibid p.74-75, f.65.

A cream jug by this workshop and retailed by Wang Hing is illustrated ibid p.76-77, f.67.

A mug by this workshop and retailed by Gem Wo illustrated Chan. D. (2005) Chinese Export Silver – The Chan Collection. Singapore: The Asian Civilisations Museum. p.68, f.84.

A christening mug by this workshop and retailed by Gem Wo, is illustrated Kwan. S. (2018) Chinese Export Silver – The Muwen Tang Collection. Hong Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Arts Publication Ltd. p.484-485, f.204.

A christening mug by this workshop and retailed by Gem Wo is illustrated ibid p.484-485, f.204.

A tea caddy of double gourd form by this workshop and retailed by Cum Shing was sold these rooms, 20 Oct 2021, lot 247 (£2125 incl. prem)

A small cup dated 1888 by this workshop and retailed by Wang Hing was sold was sold Christie’s New York, the Posner collection of Chinese Export Silver, 22 Aug 2019, lot 17 ($3250 incl. prem)

A cased three-piece tea set by this workshop and retailed by Cheong Lam was sold Lyon and Turnbull, 13 May 2022, lot 37 (£5000 incl. prem)

A tray dated 1895 by this workshop and retailed by Gem Wo, also in this sale.