### DESCRIPTION

Antique 19th Century Chinese exceptional solid 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 (acid tested shows a 900+ silver standard), probably made in Canton, year 1870-1880, Retailers mark WH, 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.

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. For more information and examples of his work please see A. Von Ferscht, Chinese Export Silver 1785-1940, 4th edition 2015).













### CONDITION

In Excellent Condition - No Damage.

### SIZE

Height: 28cm
Width: 40cm
Weight: 1480g