Chinese Export Silver – opium-style box
Chinese Export Silver Lidded & Lobed Box by Da Ji
Probably Guangdong, China
circa 1900
height: 5.5cm, diameter: 6.5cm, weight: 65g
This small, lobed box with a hinged lid is repoussed with flowers against a fine, punched background. The lobes are decorated with alternating plum and peony blossoms and the lid has a single, large chrysanthemum blossom.
The intended purpose of this box is unclear, if indeed there was one. Opium sets in a similar style are known so possibly it was made as part of an opium set but otherwise, it might well have been made as a box of generic purpose.
The box is marked to the base with the characters for ‘Da Ji’. Literally, this means ‘Big Safety’ and is most likely a retailer’s or maker’s brand name which is essentially a ‘Best wishes’ or ‘Good luck’ formulation. Possibly, this piece is connected to the well-known maker/retailer Wang Hing. Many Wang Hing pieces are stamped with the ‘Da Ji’ workshop mark, indicating their origins from that particular workshop.
Provenance
Acquired from the UK art market.
Inventory no.: 774
SOLD