Page 132 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht
P. 132
AKOW & COMPANY [aka: AKOE & CO]
Canton & Hong Kong
circa 1835-1855
A rarely seen mark, but one that was mentioned in an appendix to the Forbes, Kernan, Wilkins’ work of the
1960’s as “ACAO” although no mark was illustrated. This reference indicates it is probably a transliteration
attempt from Cantonese. and not relating directly to an actual silver mark.
The illustrated large oval salver [above] in the neo-classical English “Georgian” style and the use of an attempt
at a pseudo-hallmark indicates this silver was most probably sold for the British market. That said, the mention
of “ACAO” in the Forbes, Kernan, Wilkins’ work would indicate evidence of such silver being in America, since
no research they undertook had a focus on Chinese Export Silver elsewhere other than in America.
The use of a poorly struck female sovereign’s head on the silver mark could indicate an attempt to copy the
early head of Queen Victoria who came to the throne in 1837. The use of pseudo-hallmarks by Chinese
silversmiths had generally been phased out by the early 1840’s.
