Featured Wing On box

Hello,

I just joined. I have a question about a box. It has the Wing On hallmark, plus the character 永 (wing).

I was wondering if anyone knows roughly when it was made or if it's sterling silver.

Thanks.

Jim

 

Yep it's sterling all right, very nice, Shanghai maker, 1910 ish.

 

Welcome Jim.
Beautiful box, and a classic Wing On & Co design. Could we see the inside of the box? Do you know anything of its history before it came to you?
Wing On was a Hongkong maker/retailer, manufacturing in the first half of the 20th century. Maybe he also had a workshop or business in Shanghai, as blooey said, I can't check that now.

Chinese Export Silver can be anything between .800 and .999. Sterling is .925. Without a clear mark and testing it is impossible to say if this is exactly .925, or one of the higher or lower finenesses.
I must say, to most collectors the name, period and style are more important than the exact silver content.

@Asian Fever , I hope you are around, I am sure you can tell us more.

 

Thank you!

 

Thanks!. I actually don't know much about it. I got it on Ebay. It was advertised as Japanese, but after I got it I realized that it was Chinese. I misread the hallmark as "ono," so I initially assumed it was some kind of Japanese product, too.

I'll attach a picture of the interior.

Sorry I can't provide a more detailed history.

--Jim

 

Hi @Jim Reichert, and WELCOME to ANTIQUERS!!! LOVELY box!!!

 

The piece I used to own was from the Shanghai branch, but as @Any Jewelry says, they were originally a Hong Kong firm - and still are today!

 

Totally understandable, and the style of the decoration could easily be mistaken for Japanese. The 'ONO' is actually 'ONCo', with a tiny 'o' stuck to the C.

 

It is a Chinese export silver trinket box. Made in China by Wing On, bearing the retailer mark (永) indicates Wing On (永安).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_On

Chinese export silverware are always thought to be 90 standard even they are higher(925 or even 950) standard unless they are stamped with relative fineness mark.

I have several chinese silver tea pot and bowls which are tested to be higher than 950+ standard, however, they are still listed to sell as 900 export silver even they are higher standard.

 

Thanks for the information! It's very helpful.

 

Thank you! It's already been a great resource. I've learned a lot.

 

Thanks, Asian.

 

Hi my friend. Long time no see......

 

Too long, but you are never a stranger here. I hope only good things have kept you away from us.

 

View attachment 212293 View attachment 212293

 

Hello,
Here at last is a picture of the interior of the Wing On box. I'm not sure what kind of wood it is. It smells very nice. Could it be rosewood?

 

Nice smelling is probably cedar wood, which means it could be for cigarillos or cigarettes.

 

Thanks!