A late 19^th / early 20^th century Chinese export silver comport or footed tazza, Canton circa 1900, marked Hou Xiang, retailed by Wang Hing

Qing dynasty. The base of domed circular form rising to a central stem formed as a Chinese dragon’s head with cut sheet frill heightened with engraving, the tail rising up to a cut sheet junction formed as flames, all supporting a dished circular section with scalloped moulded rim. The edge with pierced and embossed decoration of alternating panels of chrysanthemums, bamboo, peonies, flowering prunus, iris flowers, and a Chinese dragon amidst clouds. The stand base with a chased Chinese dragon chasing the flaming sacred pearl, all against a textured ground. Marked to the side with artisan mark 厚祥 (HOU XIANG), numeral 90, and retailer’s mark WH.

Height – 15.9 cm / 6.25 inches

Diameter – 19 cm / 7.5 inches

Weight – 615 grams / 19.77 ozt

Hou Xiang

These workshops were located in Canton and Shanghai.

A pierced dragon bowl by this workshop and retailed by Lee Ching is illustrated Kwan. S. (2018) Chinese Export Silver – The Muwen Tang Collection. Hong Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Arts Publication Ltd. p. 216-217, f.71.

A pierced bowl by this workshop and retailer, also with an Austrian import mark for 1902-37, was sold these rooms, 11 June 2021, lot 228 (£425 incl. prem)

A comport with embossed sides by an obscured workshop and retailed by Tuck Chang of Shanghai was sold these rooms, 23 March 2023, lot 183 (£1875 incl. prem)

A comport with embossed sides by Bao Sheng and retailed by Wang Hing, was sold Christie’s New York, the Posner collection of Chinese Export Silver, 22 Aug 2019, lot 55 ($8750 incl. prem)