Lot Essay
An almost identical example from the Chait Collection of Chinese Export Silver is illustrated in the Catalogue, p.193, no.207, where Kernan recounts the tale of Qiu who lived in Hunan Province during the Qing Dynasty. Qiu lost his wife and daughter to robbers but after adopting a son and becoming extremely rich, was eventually reunited with his lost family after he identified a birthmark on his daughter's cheek.
Wang Hing and Co. were prolific jewelers and watchmakers working from 10 Queen's Road, Hong Kong with a 'branch store' at 1 Sai Hing Street, Canton during the last quarter of the 19th and first quarter of the 20th Century. For other published examples of work stamped by Shen Chang, cf. A.J. Marlowe, Chinese Export Silver, John Sparks, nos.65 and 67. For other examples from the Wang Hing workshop, cf. Crosby Forbes et al., Chinese Export Silver 1785 to 1885, figs.74, 109a, 170, 195, 203, 292-294; A.J. Marlowe, op.cit, figs.63-74; Kernan, The Chait Collection of Chinese Silver, Catalogue, nos. 181-215; and lots 785 and 791 in the present sale
Wang Hing and Co. were prolific jewelers and watchmakers working from 10 Queen's Road, Hong Kong with a 'branch store' at 1 Sai Hing Street, Canton during the last quarter of the 19th and first quarter of the 20th Century. For other published examples of work stamped by Shen Chang, cf. A.J. Marlowe, Chinese Export Silver, John Sparks, nos.65 and 67. For other examples from the Wang Hing workshop, cf. Crosby Forbes et al., Chinese Export Silver 1785 to 1885, figs.74, 109a, 170, 195, 203, 292-294; A.J. Marlowe, op.cit, figs.63-74; Kernan, The Chait Collection of Chinese Silver, Catalogue, nos. 181-215; and lots 785 and 791 in the present sale