Page 477 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

One of the finest Chinese Export Silver tankard ever made has a Lee Ching mark. Like many items that came
from this house, it flaunted convention while still paying homage to traditional Chinese decorative motifs and
how they may be incorporated with classical Western motifs without them appearing strange together.

In the traditional 19th century style that had developed for Chinese silver tankards, it has pierced and
exquisitely executed repoussé decoration to the body depicting carp swimming amongst aquatic foliage and
above a stylised band of waves. A tear-shaped “flaming pearl” cartouche to the centre, the decoration applied
on a plain cylindrical reserve, the attached handle modelled as a scrolling scaled dragon.

Images courtesy of The Schwenke Group Woodbury Auctions, USA; Skinners Inc, Boston, USA; Spencer Marks,
Southampton, Massachusetts; Christie’s, South Kensington, UK; Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions, UK

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