Late Qing Chinese export silver galleried trinket tray by Zhao Chang for Wang Hing, inscribed with poem by Li Bai

A stunning late Qing Chinese export silver galleried trinket tray by Zhao Chang for Wang Hing, circa 1854 to 1875, which bears two highly desirable names for collectors of Chinese export silver.

Here we see finely engraved a scholar on his horse with his attendants, which alludes to the verse inscribed to the tray. “银鞍白马度春//用“ means “for the use of the noble youth upon horseback in the springtime”, an allusion to “少年行二首”, a poem by Li Bai. Li Bai was a Tang Dynasty poet and one of the greatest names in Chinese literature; his stature in Chinese history would be similar to that of Shakespeare.

少年行二首 may be translated as Two Verses on the Journey of a Heroic Youth, and the line “银鞍白马度春风” describes the purity and bearing of this nameless hero upon horseback.

The silver tray is beautifully wrought with a pierced gallery design, the finely engraved scene described above, and four scrolled bun feet.

Zhao Chang (兆昌, 1840-1875, Canton) was a master silversmith whose work was much sought after, and his mark is seen on items retailed by the great firms of this period such as Wang Hing, Hoa Ching and Cum Shing.

Wang Hing (1854-194) was a retail silversmith active in Hong Kong, Canton and Shanghai, and is one of the great names in Chinese export silver.

Price marked at $1800 AUD.

Measurements: 15cm by 9.5cm base measurements, 2cm height. 126.3grams.

Excellent antique condition overall. Zhao Chang maker’s mark to the top and marked for Canton, Wang Hing, .900 silver and Zhao Chang mark to the base. Marks crisp and legible.