A mid-19th century Chinese export silver large mug, Canton dated 1866, retailed by Lee Ching

A mid-19^th century Chinese export silver large mug, Canton dated 1866, retailed by Lee Ching

Qing dynasty. Of tapering cylindrical form with moulded rims, the handle formed as a Chinese dragon with saw cut and engraved frills and applied wrought work horns. The body with chased decoration of a battle scene, with various figures, some on horseback. The side with a shield shape cartouche, engraved with a presentation inscription reading “Shanghai Volunteer Corps, The Mounted Rangers Cup won by Trooper F. Evans S.R at the Spring at the Spring Rifle Meeting 1866”. Double skinned gilt interior. Marked underneath with retailer’s mark LC only.

Height – 17.1 cm / 6.75 inches

Weight – 505 grams / 16.24 ozt

The Shanghai Volunteer Corps (SVC) was formed a few years after the foreigners had established the International Settlement in Shanghai, the first battle known as the Battle of Muddy Flats was on April 4, 1854. That American and British combined action cleared the immediate danger and the volunteers disbanded. In 1857 however, as the Taipings caused disturbances near Shanghai, the Corps was reactivated with two companies of 80 men each. In 1861 a unit of volunteer mounted rangers, the forerunners of the light horse unit, was added at some 20 strong.

Once such maker of these mugs for various colonial sporting events was the maker 善 (SHAN), an example dated 1869 and retailed by Khe Cheong was sold these rooms, 11 Oct 2023, lot 163 (£5250 incl. prem). Another maker producing these trophy mugs and supplying the retailer Lee Ching was 求記 (QIU JI, the workshop of Qiu), such as a large example with lid sold these rooms 21 June 2023, lot 161 (£13,750 incl. prem).