Page 888 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

Allegory is at the heart of
almost every Chinese
decorative style. This tiny
box is both stunning and a
hand-grenade packed full
of subtle meaning. Made
circa 1890, it takes the
overall form of a peach
fruit surmounted by a bat.
The sides have a meander
border framing a garland
frieze of flowers.

Peaches are the symbol of
longevity. According to
Daoist lore, the peaches of
immortality grew in the
garden of the Queen
Mother of the West - Xi
Wangmu.

The combination of bats and peaches means “May both
blessings and longevity be complete in your life”.

Contrary to popular Western belief, the meander border is
no relation to the “greek key pattern”. In Chinese art it is a
motif symbolising rolling thunder and clouds

From a silversmith who understood Western classical
design so well, it is obvious there was an equally high
degree of understanding of Chinese classicism.