LUEN WO. Solid silver 800°/°° trophy bowl with rich chased d - Lot 292

LUEN WO. Solid silver 800°/°° trophy bowl with rich chased decoration of lake landscapes, the main scene depicting Shou Lao, god of longevity, crossing a bridge. The upper part is adorned with a band inscribed in English "To Captain Maubeuge from his pootung friends prentice, Johnston & Hay. Shanghai, december 1898". China, 19th century. Weight: 726.4 g. Diameter: 21.5 cm. Height: 12.3 cm. Provenance: Collection of Monsieur François Lavelaine de Maubeuge, aspirant first class and Capitaine de vaisseau in 1898. Missioned to the Far East squadron in 1906 and Officer of the Legion of Honor. In the family by descent. Operating mainly in Shanghai, Luen Wo was one of the most prestigious goldsmiths of the late 19th - early 20th century in China. With the emergence of the foreign concession regime, particularly in Shanghai, the silversmith enjoyed immense success. The high quality of the chasing on Luen Wo's pieces makes them among the finest examples of Chinese silver for export.