Goblet thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Goblet

1900-1910 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Shanghai hosted one of the largest western communities at the beginning of the 20th century. Silver objects were produced for domestic consumption or for export by local silversmiths, who used to mark their pieces either with Chinese characters or in imitation of European hallmarks.

This goblet was produced at the silversmith workshop known as Luen Wo, or Liang ru, active in Shanghai between the late 19th century and early 20th century; their shop was on Nanking Road, one of the main shopping street for foreign customers. The overall appearance of the goblet, while retaining traditional designs like the dragon, is reminiscent of the international art nouveau style, which at the time was particularly popular on the world market.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cast silver
Brief description
Silver goblet with dragon decoration, marked liangru, China, Qing dynasty, ca. 1900-1910
Physical description
Silver goblet, with bowl cast in one piece decorated with two dragons and flaming pearl in low relief and soldered to a thick hollow stem, around which a cast dragon is soldered; the foot, which has a high plain foot-rim , is decorated on the upper surface with two dragons and flaming pearl cast in low relief.
Dimensions
  • Height: 17cm
  • Mouth diameter: 6.8cm
  • Base diameter: 7cm
Styles
Marks and inscriptions
  • Two letters 'LW' in a rectangular cartouche on the outside of the foot-rim
  • Two Chinese characters, possibly 'liang ru', in a rectangular cartouche on the outside of the foot-rim
Gallery label
Goblet Silver Dragons Marked Liangru About 1900-1910 The mark is that of the workshop known as Luenwo, active in Shanghai about 1880-1920.(1987)
Subject depicted
Summary
Shanghai hosted one of the largest western communities at the beginning of the 20th century. Silver objects were produced for domestic consumption or for export by local silversmiths, who used to mark their pieces either with Chinese characters or in imitation of European hallmarks.

This goblet was produced at the silversmith workshop known as Luen Wo, or Liang ru, active in Shanghai between the late 19th century and early 20th century; their shop was on Nanking Road, one of the main shopping street for foreign customers. The overall appearance of the goblet, while retaining traditional designs like the dragon, is reminiscent of the international art nouveau style, which at the time was particularly popular on the world market.
Bibliographic reference
Clunas, Craig (ed.). Chinese Export Art and Design. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1987, p. 108, fig. 86.
Collection
Accession number
FE.11-1980

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Record createdOctober 2, 2008
Record URL
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