ANTIQUE 19thC CHINESE EXPORT SOLID SILVER GOBLET, LEECHING c.1870
Antique 19th Century Chinese export solid silver goblet, a testament to its impressive size and exceptional craftsmanship. The goblet, a marvel of fine quality, boasts a single-walled vessel that is fully adorned with intricate chasing and embossing featuring a dense pattern of bamboo leaves and exotic birds. Elevated on a domed foot, the goblet stands on seven meticulously crafted bamboo-shaped stems, adding a touch of realism to its design. The front of the goblet is adorned with an engraved shield bearing the initials E.H. Mellye, adding a personalised touch to this authentic piece.
Hallmarked Chinese Export silver (acid tested shows a 900+ standard), bearing the Artisans mark for Lee Ching (Leeching).
Reference Number: A9732
DESCRIPTION
Antique 19th Century Chinese export solid silver goblet, a testament to its impressive size and exceptional craftsmanship. The goblet, a marvel of fine quality, boasts a single-walled vessel that is fully adorned with intricate chasing and embossing featuring a dense pattern of bamboo leaves and exotic birds. Elevated on a domed foot, the goblet stands on seven meticulously crafted bamboo-shaped stems, adding a touch of realism to its design. The front of the goblet is adorned with an engraved shield bearing the initials E.H. Mellye, adding a personalised touch to this authentic piece.
Hallmarked Chinese Export silver (acid tested shows a 900+ standard), bearing the Artisans mark for Lee Ching (Leeching), active in Canton and Shanghai 1830-1895. (A. Von Ferscht, Chinese Export Silver 1785-1940, 4th edition 2015).
Although, as it happens with the majority of the Chinese export silver makers, we don’t know the real identity of Leeching, it is easy to recognise the same high quality and fine design in all the pieces marked by the company.
Leeching had shops both in Canton and Shanghai where he retailed luxury items, jewellery and silver, mainly presentation pieces, tankards and goblets very much sought after by the Western clientele.
Leeching early pieces imitate the European neoclassical style and can compete with the finest Paul Storr production and can be recognised just for the heavy weight. In the second half of the century, Leeching introduced traditional Chinese motifs to decorate its pieces (dragons, bamboo leaves and genre scenes), but always maintaining neoclassical forms. Scholar Adrien Von Ferscht describes Leeching artworks as monumental (see A. Von Ferscht, Chinese Export Silver 1785-1940, 4th edition 2015).
The firm also supplied Hancocks, the silver retailer based in London who also worked for Queen Victoria.
CONDITION
In Great Condition - No Damage.
SIZE
Height: 27.5cm
Width: 10.5cm
Weight: 395g