Page 810 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

Silver caged 4-compartment glass decanters
were a feature of early 20th century Chinese
Export Silver, they being a natural
progression from the late 19th century
caged Haig “Dimple” whisky bottle
decanters.

This example by Wai Kee is dated to the first
quarter of the 20th century and its caging is
created from a reticulated close-form
prunus blossom. The four pourers are claw-
shaped.

There has been much discussion over the
years about the source of the four-
compartment bottles favoured by a number
of Chinese silversmiths. They were actually
manufactured in France and were hand-
made, sort so the original label claims. They
were also regularly used by several liqueur
makers - the Dutch company BOLS being
one.

It has always been assumed they were made
with the non-French market in mind since
the bottles carry a “Made in France” mark.