A pair of early 20th century Chinese export silver mustard pots, Shanghai circa 1930, marked Xing Fa, retailed by Luen Wo

Republic period. Each of waisted lozenge form with twin handles, the hinged lids surmounted by a ball finial. Each with cast an applied decoration of flowering prunus. Marked underneath with artisan mark 興發 (XING FA), and retailer’s mark LUENWO, SHANGHAI, and CANTON. Together with another mustard pot, the same, artisan mark 瑞 (RUI), same retailer. Each fitted with removable clear glass liners. Also to include a pair of pepper pots, quatrefoil form with embossed decoration of flowering prunus or bamboo, each marked underneath with an artisan mark 厚祥 (HOU XIANG), and retailer’s mark LUENWO. (3)

Mustard pot length – 6.6 cm / 2.6 inches

Total weight – 191 grams / 6.14 ozt

Hou Xiang

These workshops were located in Canton and Shanghai.

A pierced dragon bowl by this workshop and retailed by Lee Ching is illustrated Kwan. S. (2018) Chinese Export Silver – The Muwen Tang Collection. Hong Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Arts Publication Ltd. p. 216-217, f.71.

A pierced bowl by this workshop and retailer, also with an Austrian import mark for 1902-37, was sold these rooms, 11 June 2021, lot 228 (£425 incl. prem)