A mid-19^th century Chinese Export silver mug, Canton circa 1850 mark of WE, WE, WC, possibly for Punqua Winchong of Hong Kong

Qing dynasty, of tapering cylindrical form upon an engraved foot and with an applied moulded rim, the handle modelled and chased as a knotted branch. The body with chased decoration of various figural scenes depicting a battle with a figure on horseback with a bow and arrow, a sword yielding warrior to the top holding a shield with a demon face, the other side with a house with ladies in the courtyard, one holding a fan, the other engaging with a man upon a rocky outcrop, all reserved with fir trees, willow trees, prunus trees and bamboo, with rocky outcrops and a textured ground. The front with a circular cartouche engraved with contemporaneous initials AJM in flourished cursive script. Double skinned interior, traces of gilding to the interior. Traces of gilding to the exterior. Marked underneath with mark WE, WE, WC, imitation of the London flatware maker’s mark of WE, WF, WC for William Eley, William Fearn, and William Chawner, then pseudo-English hallmarks of a lion passant, a date letter P, leopards head for London and duty mark.

Height – 10.5 cm / 4.15 inches

Weight – 380 grams / 12.22 ozt

A shield of the type depicted on this mug is in the Sir Henry Wellcome collection at the Science Museum Group, (A639108).

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