A CHINESE MOTHER OF PEARL INLAID HARDWOOD TRAY19TH CENTURYDecorated in mother of pearl with a mythical beast, phoenix, peacocks and other birds perched amidst sprays of peony, prunus, pomegranate, peaches and other plants, the rectangular panels with butterflies to the corners, 64.5cm x 43.5cm.Provenance: from the collection of Sir Thomas Jackson, 1st Baronet (1841-1915) and thence by descent.Sir Thomas Jackson, 1st Baronet (1841-1915) was the third Chief Manager of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and his influence on the company was so notable that he became known as the bank's 'Great Architect'. He was also one of the founding members of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Born in County Leitrim, Ireland, Jackson joined the Belfast branch of the Bank of Ireland at age nineteen before accepting a position in East Asia with Agra and Masterman's Bank five years later. In 1866, he joined HSBC, which had only been established the previous year. Jackson was quickly promoted to the position of an accountant in Shanghai, and he later spent several years working in Japan as the manager of the bank's Yokohama office. At the early age of 35, he was appointed as Chief Manager of HSBC and, under his direction, the company became the leading bank in Asia. After a successful career in Hong Kong, Jackson returned to the UK in 1891, taking charge of the company's office in London. He was knighted in 1899 and three years later he retired and received the additional title of Baronet. In 1906, a statue of Sir Thomas Jackson was unveiled in recognition of his services both to HSBC and Hong Kong. His statue still stands in Statue Square in front of the bank's Hong Kong headquarters. Jackson Road in Hong Kong was also named after him. His collection comes from Gilford Castle in County Down, Northern Ireland, which was purchased by James Wright, husband of Sir Thomas Jackson's niece Mary Menary.