An early 20th century Chinese export silver bowl, Shanghai circa 1910, marked Hou Xiang, retailed by Hung Chong of Shanghai

An early 20th century Chinese export silver bowl, Shanghai circa 1910, marked Hou Xiang, retailed by Hung Chong of Shanghai Qing dynasty. Of rounded circular form upon a collet foot, the scalloped rim with a pierced cast border of chrysanthemums, the body with two cast and applied trailing Chinese dragons centred upon a vacant cartouche as the flaming sacred pearl. Marked underneath with artisan mark 厚祥 (HOU XIANG), and retailer’s mark HC. Height – 8.7 cm / 3.5 inches Diameter – 22.7 cm / 8.95 inches Weight – 793 grams / 25.5 ozt Hou Xiang These workshops were located in Canton and Shanghai. A pierced dragon bowl by this workshop and retailed by Lee Ching is illustrated Kwan. S. (2018) Chinese Export Silver – The Muwen Tang Collection. Hong Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Arts Publication Ltd. p. 216-217, f.71. A pierced bowl by this workshop and retailer, also with an Austrian import mark for 1902-37, was sold these rooms, 11 June 2021, lot 228 (£425 incl. prem)