Page 617 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

S.M. [SILVERSMITH’S FULL NAME UNDOCUMENTED]
Canton
circa 1840-1880

A rare mark and the few pieces that have been found have been extraordinarily intricate high relief work
incorporating partial parcel gilding.

There is a school of thought that believes this is a mis-stamped mark for Wo Shing. Most artisan silversmiths
would have been illiterate and grammar errors were not uncommon, but since this mark only ever appears with
the full stops denoting this is an upper case S and M, I don’t personally hold with this belief. The work is also
not typically of the style of Woshing.

A highly unusual serving spoon in the
form of a highly intricate chrysanthemum
flower. The central stamen pad is parcel
gilded. The stem and the individual petals
are incredibly detailed. The addition of
the bud is at the side of the stemmed
handle is a touch of genius.

To help debunk the theory of the S.M.
mark being a mis-stamped Wo Shing
mark, this second spoon [below] is even
m o r e d e t a i l e d a n d a l s o o f
chrysanthemum form.