Page 672 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

The tankard on the right is probably one of the
last tankards Sun Sing made in the classic style.
The inscription is dated 1853 and was presented
to the Chief Officer of the HMS Kent by an
immigrant to mark the maiden voyage of the
Kent from England to Port Philip in Australia. It is
particularly interesting that the donor, Thomas
Howard Fellows, chose to give a piece of
Chinese Export Silver. Fellows was on his way
with his family to settle in Melbourne, not
unusual in itself but perhaps not a coincidence
that Melbourne had a substantial Chinese
community in the early 19th century and at least
two successful retail businessmen returned
independently to China to open businesses
which soon became the largest department
stores in China - Wing On and Sincere & Co;
both produced Chinese Export Silver in their
own workshops under their own makers’ marks.
Wing On and Sincere exist today and Fellows
became fifth judge of the Supreme Court of
Victoria.

Given this nautilus cup [below left] is well into
the 2nd half of the 19th century [circa 1885],
none of the Sun Shing magic has been lost in the
incredibly skilful flat chase-work - one side
having a village tableau and the other a mixture
of bamboo with scrolling flowers.

This was almost certainly a bespoke-made
commissioned piece for the Hong Kong
branch.