Important Silversmiths – Wang Hing
19th Century Chinese Export Silver trophy ewer, impressive and exceptionally fine, baluster form, the body showing a compendium of the finest techniques and styles used in Chinese Export Silver: the domed circular base chased with stylized leaves, the round body featuring an oval medallion on each side depicting flying dragons in relief amongst clouds, surrounded by a densely populated landscape with mountains, buildings and trees, depicting a great number of figures and animals, the neck engraved with decorative stylized naturalistic patterns, in a style that had strong influence on the Victorian decorative art with the so-called "aesthetic movement", the handle naturalistcally modelled imitating a branch, chased hinged cover surmounted by a similarly shaped finial.
The decoration is extremely crisp and detailed, the ewer shows almost all the patterns and decorative techniques used in Chinese Export Silver, like engraved stylized scrolling foliage, bamboo leaves, dragons in relief, the naturalistic branch-like handle, the most popular and sought after village scenes. Hallmarked Chinese silver (90 for 900 standard), Maker's mark "WH90" for Wang Hing.
Reference Number: A3263
Probably the greatest and finest Chinese Export retailer, Wang Hing started trading in Canton soon after 1842 when, with the end of the First Opium War and the treaty of Nanking, China opened its ports to foreign merchants and Hong Kong became a British colony.
Wang Hing was the trading name chosen by the Lo family who established the business and passed it down for generations until 1941. Although we don’t have any information about the founder of the company, we know that the Lo family was a wealthy merchant family living in one of the richest and buzzing areas of Canton, the district of Xiguan.
19th Century Chinese silver cabinet / wall plaque, of large size, chased with beautifully scenes in relief depicting people of nobility enjoying activities of leisure amongst foliage, the center depicting a large pagoda, the rim chased with very detailed cross-key boarder, raised rim applied with cast plaques depicting fish and frogs.
Hallmarked 90, probably made in Canton, year 1870-1880, Retailers mark WH for Wang Hing.
Reference Number: A5591
19th Century Chinese Export Wang Hing Silver dragon centerpiece bowl, large size and exceptional quality, oval form, the double walled body is profusely chased in relief with dragons chasing the flaming pearl amongst clouds and flowers, the foot embellished with bamboo leaves and flowers, each side is applied with a intricately modelled dragon handle, outstanding quality. Hallmarked Chinese silver (90 for 900+ standard), Mark "WH" for Wang Hing.
Reference Number: A2789
Thanks to the fine quality of the pieces and to the entrepreneurial abilities of the family members, the reputation of the firm grew and in 1920’s Lo Hung Tong, grandson of the founder, opened a shop at 10 Queen’s Road, Hong Kong and in Shanghai. Wang Hingartworks became very popular among Western clients, who often commissioned trophies and presentation pieces decorated with the traditional Chinese motifs such as dragons, bamboo leaves and prunus blossoms.
In 1941 with the Japanese invasion, the Lo family was forced to flee to mainland China and the business ceased trading.