Page 40 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

This 4th Edition work reflects my ongoing research. “Ongoing” is the operative word, since
I regard my own work as having a momentum that demands of me to continue delving.
What is important to me is to share my findings and that will always be my main aim.

In the three years I have focused my energies on the study of Chinese Export Silver, I
have become very conscious of the growing awareness of this unique silver category.
While Crosby Forbes’ work was the catalyst that initially ignited my curiosity, I am equally
blessed by a growing number of people around the world who share their own knowledge,
findings, experiences and images of objects with me. I learnt from Crosby Forbes and
Kernan; I also learn a great deal from this global sharing - in fact it so often provides me
with inspiration that leads me on unplanned tangent paths.

This is exactly what I intend my work to be - inspiration [ ].

I am sometimes criticised for appearing to be irreverent towards the works of Crosby
Forbes and Kernan; nothing could be further from the truth. Scholarly study is not and
should not be a static phenomenon. If study and theories stood still, we would never make
progress; most study is built upon the completed study of others. Even Einstein knew he
would probably be challenged.

Dr. Crosby Forbes, 2012

One of the most interesting [and surprising] results of my research so far is the realisation
that the perception, understanding and appreciation of Chinese Export Silver in the West is
noticeably different from that in China and the rest of South East Asia. It also somewhat
surprises me that Western aficionados generally fail to consider that people from the
country the silver originally was created in might have a different take on it. Although this
can, to some extent, be put down to cultural differences, I fervently hope that my work will
gradually lessen the distance and that soon a common middle ground will be found. When
that happens, then I believe the real understanding and the real learning will occur.