ANTIQUE 20thC CHINESE SOLID SILVER DRAGON TEA SERVICE ON TRAY, ZEEWO c.1900
Antique early 20th Century Chinese solid silver large eight-piece tea and coffee service on tray, consisting of a coffee pot, teapot, tea kettle on stand, sugar bowl, cream jug, waste bowl, sugar spoon, tea strainer and tray. Exceptional and magnificent quality, chased, embossed and applied with dragons in very high relief, with dragon-form handles and dragon head spouts applied with elongated flowing whiskers, accompanied by a very unusual dragon head sugar spoon and a tea strainer with the tea pouring out of the mouth.
Reference Number: A9197
DESCRIPTION
Antique early 20th Century Chinese solid silver large eight-piece tea and coffee service on tray, consisting of a coffee pot, teapot, tea kettle on stand, sugar bowl, cream jug, waste bowl, sugar spoon, tea strainer and tray. Exceptional and magnificent quality, chased, embossed and applied with dragons in very high relief, with dragon-form handles and dragon head spouts applied with elongated flowing whiskers, accompanied by a very unusual dragon head sugar spoon and a tea strainer with the tea pouring out of the mouth.
With a deep appreciation for the art of tea and the rich cultural traditions of both China and Japan, Zee Wo blends the two influences seamlessly, resulting in tea sets that has clearly been inspired by the Maiji masters and still embodies the Chinese elegance and ingenious sophistication. Each piece is meticulously crafted by hand, reflecting Zee Wo's dedication to preserving the ancient techniques of silverwork.
Zee Wo was a retail silversmith which had the ability and flexibility to create good quality “commercial” items as well as high quality wares alongside. From surviving work, it is easy to identify certain decorative treatments that were obviously synonymous with the Zee Wo name.
Zee Wo is one of the few Chinese retail silversmiths that didn’t evolve one definitive style. As a result, it is quite difficult to recognise a piece of Zee Wo silver without looking at the silver marks. There was a tendency for a liking of the neo-classical style which was then embellished with traditional Chinese decorative motifs, aswell as taking inspiration from Japanese designs as is evident with this tea set. (ADRIEN VON FERSCHT, CHINESE EXPORT SILVER 1785-1940)
The tray engraved with a presentation 'Philidelphia, 1902, 18th October, Clara Martha, Sherwin John, Jacob Brenneman, 1927 Shanghai'. Hallmarked with the retailers mark of Zeewo, active in Shanghai, 370 Honan rd, (circa 1870-1940), Silver (900+ high grade silver).
CONDITION
In Great Condition - No Damage.
SIZE
KETTLE WITH STAND
Height: 36cm
Width: 23cm
Depth: 17cm
Weight: 1575g
HOT WATER KETTLE
Height: 23cm
Width: 23cm
Depth: 14cm
Weight: 725g
TEAPOT
Height: 15cm
Width: 23cm
Depth: 14cm
Weight: 700g
SUGAR BOWL & LID
Height: 13cm
Width: 18cm
Depth: 13cm
Weight: 380g
WASTE BOWL
Height: 9cm
Width: 13cm
Depth: 13cm
Weight: 275g
CREAM JUG
Height: 9cm
Width: 16cm
Depth: 12cm
Weight: 235g
TEA SIFTER
Height: 8cm
Width: 15cm
Depth: 6cm
Weight: 140g
SUGAR TONG
Height: 3cm
Width: 15cm
Depth: 2.5cm
Weight: 45g
TRAY
Height: 7cm
Width: 71cm
Depth: 46cm
Weight: 4415g