A rare late 19th / early 20th century Chinese Export silver epergne centrepiece, Canton circa 1900 by by Qiu Ji, retailed by Wang Hing

A rare late 19^th / early 20^th century Chinese Export silver epergne centrepiece, Canton circa 1900 by by Qiu Ji, retailed by Wang Hing

The domed base raised upon four applied dragon mask feet, rising to a bulbous knop with a detachable dished centre surmounted by a trumpet form flute. The trumpet vase section and edge of bowl section with wavy rim and pierced and embossed decoration of a trailing Chinese dragons amidst clouds. The base section with chased decoration of trailing Chinese dragons amidst clouds against a fine textured ground. Marked underneath with retailer’s mark WH, numeral 90 and artisan mark 求記 (QIU JI).

Height – 36 cm / 14.2 inches

Weight – 1115 grams / 35.85 ozt

A near identical but larger epergne by Qiu Ji was sold Sotheby’s New York, 18 Oct 2018, lot 514 ($13,750 incl. prem)

For further information on Qiu Ji pieces and Chinese Export silver please see our article Chinese Export Silver- Artisans and Retailers