Page 248 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

Two segmented gourd-shaped teapots, both of which would have originally been part of a traditional wedding
set. Gourds, in particular pumpkins, were traditionally a favourite form for marriage tea sets.
Chinese teapots were much smaller than their European counterparts. Teapots such as the two illustrated pots
would have been made and used in a home of a wealthy Chinese or by the intellectual elite. Chinese tea
connoisseurs prefer small pots believing the bouquet of a good tea is better retained and is more effective than
the European-style teapots. Chinese tea kettles were also smaller than the European kettle that were almost
always on elaborate warming stands. The larger of the two teapots [above] is decorated with a chased peony
motif with foliage.

Da Xing operated three workshops. The middle example of Da Xing marks [above top] would be the mark used
in Canton. Straits Chinese silver marks were almost always contained within a cartouche or framed symbol.
A collection of Da Xing teapots, all originally from marriage sets. It was common for marriage silver to be parcel
gilded.

Images courtesy of Heritage Auctions Inc, Dallas, USA; “Straits Chinese Silver” by Ho Wing Meng;

http://www.chinese-export-silver.com Image Library Archive