This cylindrical covered box is decorated with overlayed appliqued silver motifs of bamboo. The circular silver box has a vermilion interior and may have been used for ink. The silver box is marked “WH” for Wang Hing & Co., a retail silversmith that operated between mid-19th to mid-20th century in China, Canton.Such Chinese export silver items were regularly produced from the 18th to mid-20th century. Though earlier pieces tended to imitate European aesthetics and motifs, increased awareness and demand resulted in the introduction of Chinese motifs and decorations. High quality workmanship at a low labour cost added greatly to the demand and appeal for such a market.
