A late 19th century Chinese silver visiting card case

A late 19th century Chinese silver visiting card case,

maker's mark possibly that of Cumwo, Hong Kong, circa 1880,

rectangular form, the front with Chinese figures in a boat within a landscape setting, and with a vacant shield cartouche, the reverse with bamboo decoration, hinged cover, length 10.3cm, approx. weight 3.9oz.

Provenance: Edgar Assheton Bennett, and thence by descent to the present owner.

Edgar Assheton Bennett was a connoisseur of silver. A rich stockbroker, he amassed a valuable collection which is now one of the finest in the country. The collection was formed in the early 20th century when the contents of many large houses were sold. Although Bennett bought some very rare early pieces, he focused on the elegant English domestic silver made in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He chose work by the best silversmiths of the day, including many influential French religious refugees. A silver scholar was employed to write a catalogue, published and circulated privately in 1931. Reference Manchester City Galleries, where some of his collection is housed.