1 7

cacheantiquessydney

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Silver Trophy Cup with Inscription for 1933

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Silver Trophy Cup with Inscription for 1933

$1,330.00 USD
$1,330.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

An interesting bit of history, here is a trophy for a pastime unique to the late 19th to early 20th century.


Called the International Walking Competition, Shanghai World Walking Race and 上海万国竞走赛 (in Chinese), this competition was held from 1904- 1933, with small breaks in between for civil wars, revolutions and ultimately Sino-Japanese hostilities (culminating in war, 1937).


Competitors would walk the streets of the Shanghai Bund, which would total 51 Huali or approximately 25.5 km, and would have to finish within 3 hours and 20 minutes. The team championship trophy of the Shanghai World Walking Race is currently displayed in the Shanghai Sports Museum.

In 1933, the cup was presented by Mr Woo Quen Sheng or Wu Kunsheng, Esq., a textiles magnate who later moved to Hong Kong in the 1940s. Founder and director of one of the city’s most prosperous companies, he was a devout Buddhist and created a beautiful garden that he shared with the public.

The cup itself is beautifully shaped with hallmarks for 彰元. 

The cup itself is beautifully shaped and an excellent example of Chinese export silver, with an Art Deco silhouette and neoclassical motifs. At 401grams of 900 silver, it is a lovely and substantial size ideal for collectors of fine silver, sporting memorabilia and/or early 20th century history.

Measurements:

15 cm height

Handle to handle width of 18cm

Cup diameter 12.5cm.

References:

Shipping & Returns

View full details