Page 972 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht
P. 972
No self respecting Shanghai silversmith would be seen
without several cocktail shakers in their repertoire. Zee Wo’s
version is a high quality item that bows to the Chinese
decorative motif of the dragon but doesn’t get too carried
away. The finely planished ground is well executed and goes
a long way to make this a quality piece - that and the fact is a
heavy and substantial piece.
The ornate rendering of the swirling dragon on the box
[above] reflects how much this is an outstanding piece of Zee
Wo silver. Clearly Zee Wo was a destination silversmith with
a reputation in Shanghai.
The circa 1880 milk jug [right] is an example of
very early Zee Wo silver; in quatrefoil form, a
successful fusion of Chinese and the high
Victorian style. Such items are rare. The item is
marked with the “SE WO” mis-spelled mark.
The jug is part of a three-piece tea set
