Featured Wing On box

Discussion in 'Silver' started by Jim Reichert, Oct 29, 2019.

  1. Jim Reichert

    Jim Reichert New Member

    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
     

    Attached Files:

    i need help, cxgirl, Iouri and 5 others like this.
  2. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

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

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    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.:)

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2019
    judy, J Dagger, i need help and 7 others like this.
  4. Jim Reichert

    Jim Reichert New Member

    Thank you!
     
  5. Jim Reichert

    Jim Reichert New Member

    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

     
  6. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

  7. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

    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!
     
  8. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    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.:)
     
    judy, i need help and Bakersgma like this.
  9. Asian Fever

    Asian Fever Well-Known Member

    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.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2019
  10. Jim Reichert

    Jim Reichert New Member

    Thanks for the information! It's very helpful.
     
    judy and Any Jewelry like this.
  11. Jim Reichert

    Jim Reichert New Member

    Thank you! It's already been a great resource. I've learned a lot.
     
    judy and Bakersgma like this.
  12. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Thanks, Asian.:)
     
    judy likes this.
  13. Asian Fever

    Asian Fever Well-Known Member

    Hi my friend. Long time no see......
     
    judy and Any Jewelry like this.
  14. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Too long, but you are never a stranger here.:) I hope only good things have kept you away from us.
     
    judy and Asian Fever like this.
  15. Jim Reichert

    Jim Reichert New Member

    View attachment 212293 View attachment 212293
     
  16. Jim Reichert

    Jim Reichert New Member

    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? IMG_2069.jpg
     
    judy and Any Jewelry like this.
  17. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Nice smelling is probably cedar wood, which means it could be for cigarillos or cigarettes.
     
    komokwa, Bakersgma and judy like this.
  18. Jim Reichert

    Jim Reichert New Member

    Thanks!
     
    Any Jewelry likes this.
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: Wing
Forum Title Date
Silver Wilcox Aesthetic Wings Silver Plate Sugar Creamer May 7, 2023
Silver What is it? Sewing tool? Knife rest? Aug 19, 2021
Silver Todays finds, Cricket badge 1935 & airmans wings etc Jan 20, 2018
Silver Unknown Sterling Item Sewing? Toothpick? Oct 15, 2016

Share This Page