An early 20^th century Chinese export silver tea caddy, Shanghai circa 1920 marked for Shan Ji, retailed by Luen Hing

Republic period. Of rounded inverted baluster form with a pull off gently domed cylindrical lid. The body with embossed decoration of a trailing Chinese dragon chasing the flaming sacred pearl, all against a ‘honeycomb’ spot hammered ground, the ground repeated to the sides of the lid. The upper and base bands with flat chased auspicious objects. Marked underneath with artisan mark 善記 (SHAN JI, the workshop of Shan), numeral 90, and retailer’s mark LH.

Height – 14.7 cm / 5.8 inches

Weight – 399 grams / 12.83 ozt