Chinese Export Silver Cigarette Box - Antique Circa 1900

Description

This fine antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) cigarette box has a plain rectangular form with rounded corners.

The surface of the body of the box is plain with an applied moulded border to the rim.

The subtly domed hinged cover of the box is ornamented with the contemporary engraved monograph initials ‘CBK’ in addition to a moulded border to the rim.

The hallmarks struck to the underside of this impressive box include:

Maker's mark: WH (Wang Hing & Company)

Silver quality/purity mark: 90 (900/1000)

Character mark: Untraced

NOTE: The majority of such boxes have a wood lining to the interior to provide strength, due to a poor gauge of silver; a sign of quality when examples are unlined and of solid silver.

View the complete collection of smoking related silverware at AC Silver