A superb pair of antique Chinese Export silver cufflinks retailed by the celebrated firm Wang Hing, featuring traditional Chinese auspicious symbols for good fortune and longevity.
Each cufflink comprises a circular silver medallion with a raised and pierced Chinese character against a finely textured ground, surrounded by a beautifully worked decorative border. The medallions are connected by short silver chains to simple bar-and-ball fittings, giving them a wonderfully distinctive period appearance.
The two characters have complementary meanings. One represents 壽 (Shou), longevity or long life, while the other represents 福 (Fu), good fortune, happiness or blessing. Fu and Shou belong to an important group of traditional Chinese auspicious concepts and their pairing makes these much more than purely decorative cufflinks: together they express a wish for a fortunate and long life.
The reverse of each medallion is stamped WH 90, associated with Wang Hing & Co. and the firm’s 900-grade Chinese Export silver. A further Chinese character/workshop mark is also present.
Wang Hing & Co. was one of the most prominent names in Chinese Export silver, operating in Canton and Hong Kong during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Wang Hing acted as an important retailer, commissioning silver from Chinese workshops for an international clientele; consequently, pieces can carry both the familiar Western WH retailer’s mark and a separate Chinese artisan or workshop mark. The firm became particularly associated with high-quality silver produced for the export market.
The cufflinks are accompanied by the Beaverbrooks Jewellers and Goldsmiths, 5 Church Street, Liverpool fitted box shown in the photographs. This is a period retailer’s box rather than original to the cufflinks.
A very attractive and wearable example of Chinese Export silver, combining the collectability of the Wang Hing name with traditional Chinese symbolism and a design that remains striking today.
Please see photos for condition. Most items I sell are vintage or antique, so may have some age-related wear. I tend to leave items in the condition that I received them, as some people like the signs of age and patina. If you want to know the weight or any other info, please feel free to ask. I’m also happy to clean items if requested.