A late 19^th / early 20^th century Chinese export silver jardinière stand, Canton circa 1900, marked Bao Sheng, retailed by Wang Hing

Qing dynasty. Of rectangular form raised upon four scroll feet formed as dragons bodies, the upper section with a pierced galleried frieze of bamboo with the rim modelled as bamboo stems. The bombe body with embossed decoration of bamboo against a textured ground. Marked underneath with artisan mark 寳生 (BAO SHENG), and retailer’s mark WH90.

Length – 27.1 cm / 10.7 inches

Weight – 993 grams / 31.93 ozt

Sold these rooms, collection of Bernard Buckman (1910 - 1991), 14 Nov 2016, lot 104 (£2300 hammer)

Bao Sheng

A prominent workshop producing a broad selection of vessels with various patterns of decoration, one that appears to have only supplied the Wang Hing Store retailer, which operated in Canton from the 1860’s, and also from Hong Kong in the early 20^th century.

A bowl dated 1909 by this workshop and retailer is illustrated Devereux Kernan, K. (1985), The Chait Collection of Chinese Export Silver. New York: Chait Galleries. P. 175, f. 184.

A box dated 1894 by workshop and retailer is illustrated ibid. p. 178, f. 189.

A three-piece tea set by workshop and retailer is illustrated ibid. p. 196-197 f. 210.

A teapot with figural scenes by this workshop and retailer is illustrated Kwan. S. (2018) Chinese Export Silver – The Muwen Tang Collection. Hong Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Arts Publication Ltd. p. 332-333, f.129.

A milk jug with figural scenes by this workshop and retailer is illustrated ibid. p. 336-337, f.131.

A spherical vase with prunus and cracked ice ground by this workshop and retailer is illustrated ibid. p. 358-359, f.141.

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

A goblet dated 1897 by this workshop and retailer, was sold Christie’s New York, the Posner collection of Chinese Export Silver, 22 Aug 2019, lot 15 ($4375 incl. prem)

A bowl dated 1899 by this workshop and retailer, was sold these rooms, 30 Oct 2020, lot 169 (£750 incl. prem)

A three-piece tea set, with the sugar bowl and teapot by this work shop, the milk jug marked for 卓 (ZHUO), each retailed by Wang Hing, sold these rooms, 19 Oct 2022, lot 417 (£2000 incl. prem)

A vase with prunus and cracked ice ground by this workshop and retailer was sold these rooms, 2 June 2021, lot 776 (£1250 incl. prem)