Page 911 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

The most significant fact from this puzzle is that it is most likely that very few silversmiths would have had the
level of skill to produce such extraordinary quality of filigree workmanship. The number of actual artisans could
well have been less than the number of retail silversmiths trading in it.

This magnificent pair of silver gilt filigree boxes in the form of articulated crabs resting upon coral frond trays
are part of a 32-piece toilet set from China that have currently been given a date of circa 1740-1750. Obviously
this pre-dates the YKC we know today but this level of master silver making could well indicate it may have been
a predecessor of the 19th century generation. Silver making was almost always a family generational skill in
China and filigree silver making must have certainly been an inherited skill.

While research at the State Hermitage is fraught with logistical hurdles, the only other known set is part of the
Burghley House collection in England and it is hoped for a detailed research of the set to be undertaken.
Chinese filigree silver is almost totally unknown and it deserves finally to be recognised.

In Western Europe mirrors and toilet sets were one means of showing your distinction and that you belonged to
the right circles. They were usually made of silver and used by both women and men. The difference lay in the
composition of the different elements. Toilet sets were often given as wedding presents or formed part of the
bride’s trousseau. The most important part was the mirror, supplemented by 15 or 50 pieces. The owners could
also buy new silver objects as they wished. The set would be arranged in a room close to the bedroom and the
mirror would be adorned with expensive lace. The owners would complete their morning toilet in front of the
mirror and grant an audience to their closest companions. Despite the opposition of the Orthodox Church,
which banned the use of mirrors, the earliest toilet sets appeared in Russia in the 17th century.

Images courtesy of Bonhams, Knightsbridge, UK; Toovey’s Antiques & Fine Art; Washington, Sussex, UK;
State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russia; The Hermitage, Amsterdam

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