An early 20th century Chinese export silver tray, Shanghai circa 1920, marked Shao Ji, retailed by Luen Hing

An early 20^th century Chinese export silver tray, Shanghai circa 1920, marked Shao Ji, retailed by Luen Hing

Republic period. Of shaped rectangular form with an ovolo edge and a rim modelled as bamboo, all raised upon four cast bracket feet. The edge with embossed Chinese dragons against a ‘honeycomb’ spot hammered ground. The field with flat chased decoration of chrysanthemums populated by four birds, the centre with a vacant oval cartouche. Marked underneath with artisan mark 紹記 (SHAO JI, the workshop of Shao), numeral 90, and retailer’s mark LH.

Length – 35.5 cm / 14 inches

Weight – 1138 grams / 36.59 ozt

A bowl similarly decorated by this workshop and retailer was sold Christie’s New York, the Posner collection of Chinese Export Silver, 22 Aug 2019, lot 26 ($4000 incl. prem)