Page 432 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

KWONG YUAN [aka: GUANG YUAN]!
Tientsin!
circa 1860-1900!
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Kwong Yuan was an artisan
silversmith workshop; it is also a
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rare mark to find.!
This circa 1880 oval box with
hinged lid is highly unusual. The
facing heads motif set against a
traditional decorative treatment
known as “cracked ice” suggest
courtship. The cracked ice
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textured area is enamelled green.!
This traditional European motif
was used for centuries before the
19th century.!
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Illustrated [left] is a silver niello ware medallion that dates to the
15th century and the Firenze area of Italy and was intended as a
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token of love.!
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Images courtesy of Ralph M Chait Gallery, New York; http://chinese-export-silver.com Image Library Archive