An early 20th century Chinese export silver tea caddy, Canton circa 1910, marked Rong Fa, retailed by Gem Wo

Qing dynasty. Of inverted baluster form with a pull off cylindrical lid. The body with chased decoration of trailing Chinese dragons amidst clouds chasing the flaming sacred pearl as a vacant cartouche, all against a matted ground. The top of the lid with a chased Chinese dragon. Marked underneath with an artisan mark 荣發 (RONG FA), and retailer’s mark GW.

Height – 12.5 cm / 4.9 inches

Weight – 280 grams / 9 ozt

An embossed chrysanthemum bowl by this workshop is illustrated Kwan. S. (2018) Chinese Export Silver – The Muwen Tang Collection. Hong Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Arts Publication Ltd. p.412-413, f.168.