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Rare Chinese Export Sterling Silver Tea Set with Dragon Design Tianjing Wuhua

About the Item

A Chinese export sterling silver tea set comprised of 13 pieces including tea pot, sugar, creamer, four tea bowls and six tea spoons, circa 1910s-1920s. Featuring matching chased relief dragon and cloud motif on a contrasting tightly hammered panels, this is an impressive large set by the "TianJin WuHua hou" silver shop, one of the most well established workshop and silver shop in Tianjin, with a branch in Peking as well. Wuhua Silver was founded by Yan Xinhou (1838-1907) in 1881 during the late Qing dynasty. Despite the significant social instability caused by the falling of the Qing dynasty and the foreign invasions, the business thrived well into the Republic period and only closed in 1937 before the Sino-Japanese war. As the most reputable silver workshop and retailer, Wuhua purveyed to both domestic and foreign buyers. It is well known not just for its designs and service, but also its high quality and content sterling silver that was known as "Wen Silver" (veined silver), with a content often higher than sterling, thus displaying a "veining" pattern on the silver surface. This tea set was beautifully crafted with chased relief of dragon slithering in the clouds, a most popular and desirable for both Chinese and Westerners. The motifs were set on a finely punched background with defined scallop frames. All pieces were all marked with "TianJin Wuhua Hou" and "Wen Silver". The teapot, sugar, creamer and all spoons call carry another additional character "wen", indicating the specific silversmith who was the creator. The set Includes tea pot, 6 1/2' x 7 1/2" x 4", sugar, 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 4", creamer, 4 1/2" x 5" x 3". Four tea bowls, 2 1/4" x 4" and six tea spoons, 5 1/2." and weights approximately 46.015 ozt. The work by this silversmith are not very commonly found on the market, especially as a large set such as this. A pair of small peach-form boxes with covers by the workshop was recently sold in Christie's HK for 21,250HKD. Lot 8121 6 in Pavilion Online: Chinese Art Jun-13 Jun 2019 sale 16727.

Dimensions:
Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)Width: 20 in (50.8 cm)Depth: 12 in (30.48 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 13
Style:
Chinese Export (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Sterling Silver
Place of Origin:
China
Period:
Early 20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1910s-1920s
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Fine antique silver condition with only light tarnish and fine scratches in keeping with age. Small inconspicuous spots of dent.
Seller Location:
Atlanta, GA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU945022386942
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