ANTIQUE 19thC CHINESE SOLID SILVER LARGE EWER JUG, DA XING, CANTON c.1870
19th Century Chinese solid silver exceptionally large and unusual water ewer, the straight body beautifully chased along the main body with a rising sun amongst mountains and river landscape, the foot, lid and spout intricately engraved with flowers and birds
Hallmarked with Da Xing mark.
Reference Number: A4626
DESCRIPTION
Antique 19th Century Chinese solid silver exceptionally large and unusual water ewer, the straight body beautifully chased along the main body with a rising sun amongst mountains and river landscape, the foot, lid and spout intricately engraved with flowers and birds on matted ground, the C-shaped handle applied with waterlilies and both ends terminating in large waterlilies leaves, the lid is removable with the two side screws for easy cleaning access, the double skinned lid terminates with a ball finial. The design of this jug is unlike anything i have ever seen in Chinese silver and is truly a very unique and special piece, the silver is of extremely heavy gauge and the quality of workmanship is comparable to the best pieces made in the mid 19th century.
Hallmarked on the base with the makers mark Da Xing, active 1855-1910, Canton.
Ever since Western research began into Chinese Export Silver in the 1960’s, silver carrying the mark of Da Xing has been the subject of controversy and conjecture and the story is still a work in progress. Clearly an accomplished silversmith and equally clearly Chinese, the mark often finds itself on items of silver that are obviously not typically Chinese and yet of superb quality. This, therefore, points to the place of manufacture of those pieces as being outside of China; Singapore, Straights, etc. However, there are also items that are far more Chinese in both feel and execution and, taking into account that 19th century Western merchants make reference to Da Xing and appear to do so in conjunction with Canton. As research shows Da Xing silver is normally of very high quality and has a quite definitive and highly decorated traditional style, indicating it probably exerted a high degree of design and quality control over its supplying artisan workshops. For more information please see A. Von Ferscht, Chinese Export Silver 1785-1940, 4th edition 2015.
CONDITION
In Great Condition - No Damage.
SIZE
Height: 37cm
Width: 18cm
Weight: 3080g