Page 56 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

Research so far shows it probably
developed during the 17th century when
Chinese silversmiths were creating silver
gilt filigree items. Many of these objects
were both large and intricate in shape,
requiring some items to be comprised of
several modular elements, some of which
were required to be joined rigidly together.

Probably every tea and coffee pot made during the
Chinese Export Silver period was made with a
quatrefoil nut fastening the finial to the lid.

The Chinese Export Silver goblet by Lee Ching [right]
has the polished cup fixed rigidly into the open
bamboo cage-work by a long threaded bolt through
the hollow stem and held fast under the base with a
quatrefoil nut [below].

A somewhat hastily hand-made nut on this
Tuck Chang piece [below]; a quatrefoil
nevertheless! One can almost see the fret
saw making it.