ANTIQUE 19thC CHINESE EXPORT TU MAO XING SOLID SILVER DRAGON TEA SET c.1890
20th Century Chinese Export Silver three piece tea set, comprising of teapot, covered sugar bowl and covered milk jug, each spherical body is beautifully embossed with dragons chasing the flaming pearl, hammered surface, each piece rests on a decorative skirted foot and is applied with an intricately modeled dragon handle, outstanding quality. Each piece has the original lid, also applied with a protruding dragon. All the dragons are five-clawed, symbol of Imperial power. Hallmarked Chinese Export silver (900 standard), Maker's mark in Chinese for Tu Mao Xing.
Reference Number: A2971
DESCRIPTION
Antique late-19th / early 20th Century Chinese Export Solid Silver three piece tea set, comprising of teapot, covered sugar bowl and covered milk jug, each spherical body is beautifully embossed with dragons chasing the flaming pearl, hammered surface, each piece rests on a decorative skirted foot and is applied with an intricately modeled dragon handle, outstanding quality. Each piece has the original lid, also applied with a protruding dragon. All the dragons are five-clawed, symbol of Imperial power.
The teapot is Hallmarked Chinese Export silver (acid tested shows a 900 standard), Maker's mark in Chinese for Tu Mao Xing, active in Jiǔjiāng, Jiangxi Province, from 1880 until 1930. This mark has been wrongly identified as Han Mao Hsing by Crosby Forbes and Kernan. The silversmith is considered one of best Chinese Export names (please see A. Von Ferscht, Chinese Export Silver 1785-1940, 4th edition 2015). Professor Von Ferscht correctly identified the mark and considers Tu Mao Xing one of the first silversmiths operating in Jiǔjiāng and an authentic "master of dragon-making". Please follow this link and this link for more information. Tu Mao Xing (previously known as Han Mao Hsing) made some of the highest results in Chinese silver objects.
CONDITION
In Great Condition - no damage, just general wear.
TEAPOT
Height: 15cm
Width: 24 x 13.5cm
SUGAR BOWL
Height: 11.7cm
Width: 17.5 x 10.5cm
CREAM JUG
Height: 11.5cm
Width: 13.3 x 9.5cm
TOTAL WEIGHT: 1015g