An early 20^th century Chinese export silver bowl, Shanghai circa 1910, marked Hou Xiang, retailed by Hung Chong of Shanghai

Qing dynasty. Of rounded circular form upon a collet foot, the scalloped rim with a pierced cast border of chrysanthemums, the body with two cast and applied trailing Chinese dragons centred upon a vacant cartouche as the flaming sacred pearl. Marked underneath with artisan mark 厚祥 (HOU XIANG), and retailer’s mark HC.

Height – 8.7 cm / 3.5 inches

Diameter – 22.7 cm / 8.95 inches

Weight – 793 grams / 25.5 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)