Page 163 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

The silver looks typically early 20th century Chinese Export Silver but equally the neo-classical elements
translated in an elongated manner renders the style somewhat nondescript. This tea and coffee service with
matching tray is quite typical of the style of Bao Chang.

It is a matter of conjecture whether this silversmith workshop was set up solely to capitalise on the ready-made
market of foreign military; my own calculated guess, based on the silver styles and type of items recorded, it
probably was. I am currently researching this silversmith further to understand whether there was any
connection between this Bao Chang/Bo Chan and an artisan workshop of the same name operating in Canton
and known to have made for the retail Silversmith Cum Shing

This tea and coffee set and tray is like no other set in the entire Chinese Export Silver repertoire. The form is
loosely based on a neo-classical baluster shape but in a more elongated interpretation of it. This renders what
has been made as a cream jug particularly strange given it is a miniature version of the coffee pot and includes
a lid. The sugar basin is so elongated that it renders it almost impractical to use.