Important Silversmiths - Hung Chong & Co
Showroom and premises of Hung Chong & Co from Arnold Wright’s “Twentieth century impressions of Hong-kong, Shanghai, and other Treaty Ports of China”
Hung Chong & Co was a prominent Chinese silversmith and retailer, based in Shanghai and operating between 1830 and 1925. The maker is renowned and celebrated for its ultimately elaborated designs and unusual shapes of the pieces. His retail business didn’t specialize only in high quality silver tableware, they also dealt in blackwood furniture of unsurpassed quality and elegant design, as well as exquisite embroideries and splendid silk.
Fine and extremely delicate, silver pieces by Hung Chong & Co had always attracted customers’ attention from all over the world. The manufacturer's laconic design stood out and could be easily recognized thanks to the special technique the pieces were made in: tableware, jewellery caskets and boxes by Hung Chong & Co were often richly decorated with floral motifs made with repoussé relief details.
19th Century Chinese silver decorative fruit bowl, of traditional round form, shaped arched rim with drop shaped panels, the body showing a compendium of the finest techniques and styles used in Chinese Export silver.
Hallmarked with Chinese character marks and retailers mark for Hung Chong & Co.
Reference Number: C6370
Hung Chong & Co was without a doubt amongst some of the most successful Chinese manufacturers, alongside Wang Hing (active 1854 – 1941) and Woshing (active c. 1850s - 1925). They were behind the production of the most unique pieces in the Chinese export silver found nowadays outside of China. As for their genuine advantage compared to the competitors, it was undoubtedly the ultimate attentiveness: each detail of their pieces, regardless of its size, style and purpose, was delicately and skilfully elaborated.
Hung Chong & Co remains one of the most important silversmiths on the Chinese export market, their pieces are the right items to buy for a special occasion, as they are synonymous with opulence, exquisiteness and elegance. Silverware by Hung Chong & Co is still in high demand: most rare pieces are sought by private collectors all over the world, whilst the most precious and unique items are displayed in world’s most famous museums, including the Huntington Museum of Art, West Virginia, USA.
19th Century Chinese silver eperne, the central trumpet shaped vase and twin baskets are highly decorated with pierced bamboo leaves, cherry blossom and chrysanthemums flowers. The stem applied with finely modelled winged dragon branches, the plain stem resting on a domed foot and affixed on to a hardwood stand.
Hallmarked with Chinese character marks and retailers mark HC for Hung Chong & Co.
Reference Number: A6409
19th Century Chinese solid silver incense burner (koro), compressed globular body, raised on three baluster feet, decorated with flowering lotus scrolls above over lappet band of leaves, mounted with a pair of protruding lion-head handles.
Hallmarked in Chinese - solid silver (tested 900+ standard), Makers mark indistinguishable, attributed to Hung Chong & Co (active 1830-1925, Shanghai), For more information please see A.Von Ferscht, Chinese Export Silver 1785-1940, 4th edition 2015, page 355.
Reference Number: A4543
