Page 959 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

YU ZHEN
Xiamen [Amoy], Fuijian Province
circa 1890-1920

Yu Zhen was probably a local manufacturing silversmith creating silver items mainly for the Chinese market.
The illustrated ceremonial cuffs are probably marriage cuffs.

Xiamen [or Amoy] was the main port where tea was exported from China in the 19th century. The Tea Trade
created prosperity and a significant number of silversmiths operated there.
It was the activity connected with the Tea Trade that caused local Hokkien [Amoy dialect] words to enter the
English language. The word “tea” itself is from the Amoy ; tê. “Kow-tow” is another Amoy phrase ; khàu-
thâu and most surprising of all, the word “ketchup” is derived from the Amoy ; kiô-ch

Images courtesy of Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions, UK

http://chinese-export-silver.com Image Library Archive