A LARGE CHINESE SILVER FOOTED BOWL AND COVER

2ND HALF 19TH CENTURY

The compressed body decorated in repoussé with six oval panels reserved on a dense ground of bamboo branches, one panel undecorated, another enclosing flowers, two with dragons, and two containing scenes of warriors in battle, the cover with six dragons amidst swirling clouds and surmounted by a carp-shaped finial, all flanked by two loop handles formed as dragons arching their backs, with gilt to the interior, the foot with two punch marks, one reading Yi Chang, 41cm, 1.9kg. (2)

The battle scenes on this bowl are both taken from Ming dynasty pieces of literature. One scene portrays Zhou Yu and Zhang Fei from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguo Yanyi) riding into battle, whilst the other depicts the characters Qin Qiong and Su Dingfang from Heroes of the Sui and Tang (Sui Tang Yanyi).