Page 215 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

This circa 1860 coffee pot
admirably demonstrates the
level of quality Cum Shing
aspired to. The raised-work
array of decorative motifs
literally encrusts the main
baluster body and lid.

As with all Chinese
silversmiths, a good way to
g a u g e t h e l e v e l o f
craftsmanship is to see
how dragons are executed.
In this instance it is
faultless.

The bowl [below] is an incredibly unusual piece.
If it did not have the Cum Shing marks, one would
be hard pressed to immediately recognise this as
being Chinese Export Silver. Although all the
decorative motifs are traditionally Chinese, the
manner in which they’ve been executed as a total
decorative treatment is almost Japanese. It has
also managed to achieve a more Japanese silver
colour and semi matt finish; but Chinese it is and
Cum Shing it is.