Page 66 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

One such pseudo hallmark mark [above] was used by the Canton retail silversmith
Cutshing. While Cutshing used several versions during the years 1830-1895, this specific
mark was used between 1850 and 1860, but importantly it was not used as the exclusive
mark during that period.

At first glance, it could be mistaken for an English hallmark, but on closer inspection one
can see the crudeness of the lion, crowned leopard, and monarch’s head. The “k” is
meaningless other than it could possibly have meant to denote “Kanton” - the “k” is quite
constant in most of Cutshing’s pseudo-hallmark. There was no requirement for either a
year date stamp or a city mark - the “k” therefore is pure mimicry of a true hallmark. The
insertion of “CU” is a further example of artistic license - there is no information contained
in this mark other than we recognise it as being the mark for the retail silversmith Cutshing.

Of the two Cutshing marks [above] - the left-hand mark is a well-used version of
Cutshing’s pseudo-hallmark, while the abbreviated “CUT” was also used but tends to
appear on smaller items, in particular snuff boxes.

Cutshing also used another version of the pseudo hallmark [above] that uses a conjoined
“C” and “U”.

One of the most important facts to keep in mind about the Chinese pseudo-
hallmarks is that it conveys no information whatsoever about the artisan
silversmiths. For a period of between 50-70 years, depending on the retail silversmith,