Page 148 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht
P. 148
BAO SHENG [aka: PAO HING]
Canton & Hong Kong
circa 1890-1940
A manufacturing silversmith of extraordinary skill.
The Bao Sheng mark may be
found on its own, but more
likely to be found in
conjunction with statement
pieces for retail silversmiths, in
particular Wang Hing & Co.
This circa 1890 spittoon is
highly unusual despite the fact
it uses the traditional Chinese
decorative motif of prunus.
The base is particularly
remarkable - a single prunus
branch in blossom that has
been fashioned in these
continuous curves to form the
support for the main bowl to
simply appear to rest on it.
The spittoon interior has been
double lined, making this an
extremely heavy piece.
The intricacy of the prunus
work is quite typical of Bao
Sheng work.
