{"id":8443293466774,"title":"Straits Chinese Solid Silver Wine Ewer, 19th century","handle":"straits-chinese-solid-silver-wine-ewer-19th-century","description":"\u003cp\u003eStraits Chinese Solid Silver Wine Ewer, 19th century\u003cbr\u003eDecorated with elaborate and fantastical imagery, this remarkable solid silver wine ewer is an excellent example of a type of object which were rarely encountered outside of the homes of wealthy Straits born Chinese families.1 The Straits Settlements were British colonial territories of settlements around British Malaya.2\u003cbr\u003e‘Straits Chinese’ were Chinese born migrants based in\u003cbr\u003eSoutheast Asia, maintaining unique cultures which distinguished them from the indigenouspopulation. These communities settled in Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, establishing themselves in these lands predominantly in the 19th century.\u003cbr\u003e3 Numerous figures, trees, temples, nāgas, a lion, branches, trees and blossoms decorate this intricate work in silver. Atop the lid of the ewer is a lion finial. Notable examples of Straits Chinese wine ewers have lion finials on the top of their lids.4 Lions are important symbols within Buddhism, with the lion established in early Buddhism as a symbol of Shakyamuni Buddha. 5 6 As a symbol of his\u003cbr\u003esovereignty, the Buddah’s throne is supported by eight lions. The lion on the lid of this ewer has a circular shape under its front paw. A Chinese legend recounts that lionesses lactate through their paws and that by passing hollow balls for their young to play with, the cubs could extract milk.7\u003cbr\u003eAround the wine ewer various figures are portrayed. Two figures wearing traditional clothing, perhaps intended to be monks, are positioned in a temple setting. One sits in an entranceway of the temple below the roof while the other is positioned beside the building beneath a blossom tree. A votary, with a bowed head and standing on steps, faces the sheltered monk and holds an object in both hands. Next to the figure standing beside the temple is another figure holding a fan and standing below a tree. On the base of the ewer another man stands between a palm tree close\u003cbr\u003eto a building and a tree with large blossoms. The emphasis of landscapes and figural scenes\u003cbr\u003e7 Beer, pp. 63-64.\u003cbr\u003e6 Paul K. Nietupski, Infinite Splendor, Infinite Light, The Bruce Walker ‘53 Collection of\u003cbr\u003eTibetan Religious Art, (Greencastle, Indiana: DePauw University, 2018), p. 57.\u003cbr\u003e5 Robert Beer, The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols, (Chicago, Illinois: Serindia\u003cbr\u003ePublications, Inc, 2003), p. 63.\u003cbr\u003e4 Meng, p. 157-159.\u003cbr\u003e3 Mark Ravinder Frost, ‘Transactional Diaspora: The Straits Chinese in Singapore,\u003cbr\u003e1819-1918’, Asia Research Institute, ARI Working Paper, No. 10 (2003) 1-44 (pp. 1-2).\u003cbr\u003e2 David Newman, ‘British Colonial Censorship Regimes: Hong Kong, Straits\u003cbr\u003eSettlements, and Shanghai International Settlement 1916-1941’, Silencing Cinema: Film\u003cbr\u003eCensorship Around the World, ed.by Daniel Biltereyst \u0026amp; Roel Vande Winkel (2013)\u003cbr\u003e167-191 (p. 168).\u003cbr\u003e1 HoWing Meng, Straits Chinese Silver, A Collector’s Guide, (Singapore: Times Book\u003cbr\u003eInternational, 1984) p. 156.\u003cbr\u003eindicate that this ewer was produced by master artisans in Southern China and sent to the Straits\u003cbr\u003efor export.8\u003cbr\u003eHowever, the most impressive element of the ewer is the handle. The entire handle is the body of\u003cbr\u003ea nāga. Nāga in Sanscrit and Pāli means snake and in China they are represented as dragons. A\u003cbr\u003enāga inhabits underwater kingdoms and the roots of monumental trees, often with the intention\u003cbr\u003eto protect treasure. These creatures are said to be under the command of Virupaksa, the god of\u003cbr\u003ethe west and they guard the Traystrimsa Heaven. There are times when they appear in the\u003cbr\u003eaudience of the Buddah, as detailed in the famous Lotus Sutra. Nāga may be benevolent or\u003cbr\u003emalevolent and there were instances where they served to protect or shelter the Buddah.9\u003cbr\u003eThe entire length of the ewer’s handle represents a nāga. The remarkable texture of the nāga’s\u003cbr\u003escales is finely delicate, while the swirling whiskers and mane twist and blow wildly around its\u003cbr\u003eface as if caught in a great storm. A Tibetan ewer inspired by Chinese design in the Victoria and\u003cbr\u003eAlbert Museum also has a handle which resembles a nāga, however that handle is not as\u003cbr\u003ewhimsical or as refined as this example.10 A similar creature’s head is at the base of the ewer’s\u003cbr\u003espout which protrudes from this monster’s open mouth. This is a common motif in Straits\u003cbr\u003eChinese wine ewers.11\u003cbr\u003eThis intricately detailed ewer, with its floral imagery, figures and representation of architecture,\u003cbr\u003elion finial and nāga handle and spout, is an excellent example of 19th century Straits Chinese silver. With comparable examples in private collections published in academic literature,12 this ewer would be a magnificent artefact for admirers, scholars and collectors of Straits Chinese artefacts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasurements:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWidth: 17cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: 18.5cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight: 342 grams\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2025-07-04T15:52:14+01:00","created_at":"2025-07-04T15:52:13+01:00","vendor":"Joseph Cohen Antiques","type":"Straits Chinese Solid Silver Wine Ewer, 19th century","tags":["Chinese Straits Silver"],"price":240000,"price_min":240000,"price_max":240000,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":45175302291606,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"JC-STRA-07196","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Straits Chinese Solid Silver Wine Ewer, 19th century","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":240000,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/image0_4.jpg?v=1751640106","\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/image4_1.jpg?v=1751640128","\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/image2_3.jpg?v=1751640140","\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/image5_2.jpg?v=1751640164","\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/image6.jpg?v=1751640174"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/image0_4.jpg?v=1751640106","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":30542937653398,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1360,"width":1360,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/image0_4.jpg?v=1751640106"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1360,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/image0_4.jpg?v=1751640106","width":1360},{"alt":null,"id":30542939029654,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1307,"width":1307,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/image4_1.jpg?v=1751640128"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1307,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/image4_1.jpg?v=1751640128","width":1307},{"alt":null,"id":30542939947158,"position":3,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1409,"width":1409,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/image2_3.jpg?v=1751640140"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1409,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/image2_3.jpg?v=1751640140","width":1409},{"alt":null,"id":30542942208150,"position":4,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1342,"width":1342,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/image5_2.jpg?v=1751640164"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1342,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/image5_2.jpg?v=1751640164","width":1342},{"alt":null,"id":30542942896278,"position":5,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1600,"width":1600,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/image6.jpg?v=1751640174"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1600,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/image6.jpg?v=1751640174","width":1600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eStraits Chinese Solid Silver Wine Ewer, 19th century\u003cbr\u003eDecorated with elaborate and fantastical imagery, this remarkable solid silver wine ewer is an excellent example of a type of object which were rarely encountered outside of the homes of wealthy Straits born Chinese families.1 The Straits Settlements were British colonial territories of settlements around British Malaya.2\u003cbr\u003e‘Straits Chinese’ were Chinese born migrants based in\u003cbr\u003eSoutheast Asia, maintaining unique cultures which distinguished them from the indigenouspopulation. These communities settled in Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, establishing themselves in these lands predominantly in the 19th century.\u003cbr\u003e3 Numerous figures, trees, temples, nāgas, a lion, branches, trees and blossoms decorate this intricate work in silver. Atop the lid of the ewer is a lion finial. Notable examples of Straits Chinese wine ewers have lion finials on the top of their lids.4 Lions are important symbols within Buddhism, with the lion established in early Buddhism as a symbol of Shakyamuni Buddha. 5 6 As a symbol of his\u003cbr\u003esovereignty, the Buddah’s throne is supported by eight lions. The lion on the lid of this ewer has a circular shape under its front paw. A Chinese legend recounts that lionesses lactate through their paws and that by passing hollow balls for their young to play with, the cubs could extract milk.7\u003cbr\u003eAround the wine ewer various figures are portrayed. Two figures wearing traditional clothing, perhaps intended to be monks, are positioned in a temple setting. One sits in an entranceway of the temple below the roof while the other is positioned beside the building beneath a blossom tree. A votary, with a bowed head and standing on steps, faces the sheltered monk and holds an object in both hands. Next to the figure standing beside the temple is another figure holding a fan and standing below a tree. On the base of the ewer another man stands between a palm tree close\u003cbr\u003eto a building and a tree with large blossoms. The emphasis of landscapes and figural scenes\u003cbr\u003e7 Beer, pp. 63-64.\u003cbr\u003e6 Paul K. Nietupski, Infinite Splendor, Infinite Light, The Bruce Walker ‘53 Collection of\u003cbr\u003eTibetan Religious Art, (Greencastle, Indiana: DePauw University, 2018), p. 57.\u003cbr\u003e5 Robert Beer, The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols, (Chicago, Illinois: Serindia\u003cbr\u003ePublications, Inc, 2003), p. 63.\u003cbr\u003e4 Meng, p. 157-159.\u003cbr\u003e3 Mark Ravinder Frost, ‘Transactional Diaspora: The Straits Chinese in Singapore,\u003cbr\u003e1819-1918’, Asia Research Institute, ARI Working Paper, No. 10 (2003) 1-44 (pp. 1-2).\u003cbr\u003e2 David Newman, ‘British Colonial Censorship Regimes: Hong Kong, Straits\u003cbr\u003eSettlements, and Shanghai International Settlement 1916-1941’, Silencing Cinema: Film\u003cbr\u003eCensorship Around the World, ed.by Daniel Biltereyst \u0026amp; Roel Vande Winkel (2013)\u003cbr\u003e167-191 (p. 168).\u003cbr\u003e1 HoWing Meng, Straits Chinese Silver, A Collector’s Guide, (Singapore: Times Book\u003cbr\u003eInternational, 1984) p. 156.\u003cbr\u003eindicate that this ewer was produced by master artisans in Southern China and sent to the Straits\u003cbr\u003efor export.8\u003cbr\u003eHowever, the most impressive element of the ewer is the handle. The entire handle is the body of\u003cbr\u003ea nāga. Nāga in Sanscrit and Pāli means snake and in China they are represented as dragons. A\u003cbr\u003enāga inhabits underwater kingdoms and the roots of monumental trees, often with the intention\u003cbr\u003eto protect treasure. These creatures are said to be under the command of Virupaksa, the god of\u003cbr\u003ethe west and they guard the Traystrimsa Heaven. There are times when they appear in the\u003cbr\u003eaudience of the Buddah, as detailed in the famous Lotus Sutra. Nāga may be benevolent or\u003cbr\u003emalevolent and there were instances where they served to protect or shelter the Buddah.9\u003cbr\u003eThe entire length of the ewer’s handle represents a nāga. The remarkable texture of the nāga’s\u003cbr\u003escales is finely delicate, while the swirling whiskers and mane twist and blow wildly around its\u003cbr\u003eface as if caught in a great storm. A Tibetan ewer inspired by Chinese design in the Victoria and\u003cbr\u003eAlbert Museum also has a handle which resembles a nāga, however that handle is not as\u003cbr\u003ewhimsical or as refined as this example.10 A similar creature’s head is at the base of the ewer’s\u003cbr\u003espout which protrudes from this monster’s open mouth. This is a common motif in Straits\u003cbr\u003eChinese wine ewers.11\u003cbr\u003eThis intricately detailed ewer, with its floral imagery, figures and representation of architecture,\u003cbr\u003elion finial and nāga handle and spout, is an excellent example of 19th century Straits Chinese silver. With comparable examples in private collections published in academic literature,12 this ewer would be a magnificent artefact for admirers, scholars and collectors of Straits Chinese artefacts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasurements:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWidth: 17cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: 18.5cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight: 342 grams\u003c\/p\u003e"}