A mid-19^th century Chinese export silver cheroot case, Canton circa 1860, marked Hui, retailed by Khe Cheong

Qing dynasty. Of tapering oval section cylindrical form, the hinged lid with push button release. The body with chased and embossed decoration of figures against buildings and willow and fir trees, the opposite side with fruiting vine populated with birds. The top of lid with a vacant oval cartouche reserved with fruiting vine. Marked underneath with artisan mark 匯 (HUI), and retailer’s mark a gothic K.

Length – 11 cm / 4.3 inches

Weight – 69 grams / 2.22 ozt

Hui

An earlier period and quite prolific workshop with many pieces dated to the 1870’s and possibly earlier.

A mug by this workshop is listed Marlowe, A.J. (1990) Chinese Export Silver – Catalogue of an exhibition at the galleries of John Sparks. London: John Sparks Limited. p.38, f.20.

A standing cup by this workshop is illustrated ibid p.38-39, f.21.

A standing cup by this workshop and retailed by Sun Shing is illustrated ibid p.66-67, f.55.

A statuette (spill vase) by this workshop and retailed by Lee Ching is illustrated Devereux Kernan, K. (1985), The Chait Collection of Chinese Export Silver. New York: Chait Galleries. p. 120-121, f. 113.

A figural christening set dated 1874 by this workshop and retailed by Sun Shing is illustrated ibid, p. 161, f. 166.

A hexagonal ‘Fu’ tea caddy by this workshop and retailed by Wing Chung of Hong Kong is illustrated ibid, p. 219, f..244.

A centrepiece bowl with crane supports by this work shop and retailed by Sun Shing is illustrated Silver Magazine March / April 2002 Collectors Forum: Chinese Export Silver. (front cover), p.35.

A figural cup by this workshop and retailed by Yatshing is illustrated ibid, p. 235, f. 267.

A mug dated 1872 by this workshop and retailed by Sun Shing is illustrated Kwan. S. (2018) Chinese Export Silver – The Muwen Tang Collection. Hong Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Arts Publication Ltd. p. 160-161, f. 43.

A standing cup dated 1877 was sold Tennants, 11 Nov 2023, lot 2046 (£1500 hammer)

The retailing firm of Khe Cheong was one of the most prominent from the early and middle decades of the 19^th century, especially for wares in the directly English taste referred to as the China Trade period. It is around the 1850’s and 60’s that the typically “Chinese” aesthetic appears in such wares. Khe Cheong operating from 2 Old China Street, Canton and Club Street, Honam Island, Canton.