Page 226 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

for its carved ivory and many of the finest examples of carved ivory and ivory and silver fans were created and
sold and exported to Europe and America.

Some Cutshing marks carry a conjoined CU and for some time opinion was divided whether C and CU were two
separate makers’ marks. There are too many similarities between detailing on the marks to make this option
probable; both versions as well as CUT are considered to represent Cutshing. The consensus of opinion is that
the conjoined CU was used circa 1825-1840; CUT was used circa 1840-1865; the addition of the letter ‘K’ as a
spoof date mark appeared circa 1850. However, my own view is the letter K is meaningless other than it might
possibly have been added to represent Kanton, the accepted spelling for Canton at the time.

Since all Cutshing silver was created bearing a pseudo-hallmark or abbreviated “CUT” mark, it is impossible to
identify any of the artisan silversmiths that either worked for the company or as suppliers through independent
workshops. Since a vast amount of high quality items were sent out of China with the Cutshing mark, including
some of the finest flatware items of the early 19th century. the anonymity of the actual artisans is a travesty
since several museums and major collections of Chinese Export Silver have Cutshing items in their collections.
In 2015 it is hoped that a long-awaited research project of 18th and early 19th century Canton silversmiths will
commence and many of the myths and mysteries will eventually be solved.

No self-respecting early 19th century foreign merchant operating in Canton would have been without a snuff
box. Along with Linchong and Khecheong, there were no better snuff boxes or vinaigrettes made; they were on
par with the best English makers such as Samuel Pemberton and Nathaniel Mills.
This circa 1830 snuff box combines the elegance of the Georgian age with a tradition Chinese scene. All
Cutshing boxes had parcel gilded interiors, as would be expected.