Page 231 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

To find one example of Cutshing silver that might fall into the realms of “piece de resistance” is not an easy
task. I maintain a very strong opinion that for a Canton-based silversmith to create neo-classical silver that truly
does rival the best Western silversmiths requires more than a stroke of genius.

This circa 1830 set of tea wares comes with both genius and a touch of eccentricity. If one looks closely at the
set, one of the teapots has ivory insulators inserted in the handle while the second pot [above, bottom right]
does not. The second pot is mis-leading because it happens to be a cream jug. When the Canton silversmiths
first began making silver in the “Georgian” style at the behest of merchants, small and rather amusing
anomalies began to appear; the lidded cream jug [see enlarged image below] is one such example.

The tall lidded slop bowl is far too grand given its use, with ringed lion’s head handles and cupola lid. It also has
a liner. We know this was intended as a set since all four pieces carry the same engraved monogram “F”.