Page 978 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

ZHI DA
Tientsin
circa 1890-1930

This is a rare mark to find
y e t i s o b v i o u s l y a
silversmith with
extraordinary talent and
skill.

The entire decorative
treatment of this circa 1910
pair of vases has been
achieved by varying
degrees of highly complex
engraving and chase work.
This achieves an effect of
different shades of texture
sand greys to the point
where it almost looks [and
feels] like niello work, but
without the coloured infill.

The lotus flower heads look
three dimensional, which is
an effect that is further
emphasised by the plain
highly polished ground
above and below the main
decorated area.

The ears [handles] have
been achieved by the same
technique as well as
fretwork which has been
enamelled in varying
shades of green.
There were a number of
Chinese silversmiths
operating in Tientsin whose work managed to straddle a fine line between Chinese and Japanese. This is one
such a silversmith.

These vases were made after the 1902 hand back of Tientsin to Qing control, having been under the Eight-
Nation Alliance’ Tianjin Provisional Government.

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