Page 279 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

This sumptuous tea set and matching tray is the result
of a master silversmith at work, but a master works
according to the specifications he has received and it is
clear they were very precise in this instance.

The crab stock handles and spout add so much more
character, the precise engineering of the inset lid, the
rope work border to the prunus frieze of the tray. While
of a traditional form, this set is far from conventional
because of the extra touches. Even the irregular shape
of the tray reproduces a cross section outline of a
prunus tree trunk.

Images courtesy of
S&J Stodel, London;
Bonhams, Sydney,
Australia; Bonhams,
London

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