Page 767 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

The reticulated stemmed bowl [above] is
quite unusual and is a piece of highly
accomplished silver ware. Four reticulated
panels of single chrysanthemum heads are
set within a Buddhist bodhi-shaped frame
is dramatic and not often seen, especially
since this bowl has been pared down of all
extraneous decoration.

The chrysanthemum is a morpheme of the
Chinese word ‘jŭ’, meaning ‘entire or
whole’. Connected with the ninth month of
the year and the approaching autumn, the
chrysanthemum is still considered to have
life-sustaining properties.
Being a Shanghai silversmith, Tuck Chang
could not help be swept up into the “Jazz
Age” decadence that swept the city. Art
Deco, for some inexplicable reason, seems
to suit this status quo, not that this fan-
shaped picture frame is decadent per se,
but it would certainly feel at home!
To have had the nous to create a frame in
the shape of the very Chinese object, the
fan, is sheer brilliance.