19th century Chinese Export silver jug with pseudo English hallmarks
19th century Chinese Export silver jug with pseudo English hallmarks
£4,800.00
Description
A rare and impressive early 19th century Chinese Export silver jug with pseudo English
hallmarks.
This impressive jug of a fine gauge is a wonderful example of the ability of Chinese
silversmiths to copy western models for export, either to Europe or the local colonial centres
that were developing in the orient.
Historically, China had been happy to export renewable or inexhaustible luxury goods mainly
ceramics and silks. Silver was more valuable in China than in Europe and therefore
payments in silver were advantageous to the Chinese government. This changed during the
latter part of the 18 th century and the export of finished silver objects to the West became
financially attractive.
From the end of the 18 th century the export trade increased tremendously and the demand
from Europe for familiar utilitarian forms increased. European forms such as mugs, ewers,
tazza, and candlesticks were unknown in China, so models were sent to China.
The silversmiths were therefore copying original items chiefly from England and America.
Common items were tea and coffee sets, spoons, forks, trays and other flatware. Having no
prior history of making such items, they copied as exactly as possible and, in the process,
and not realising their significance, the hallmarks were also copied.
This jug is of a typical late Georgian form, the copied hallmarks are for London and copy the
form in use from 1786 to 1821 with a crowned Leopard head and the monarchs face in an
oval. Sadly, there isn’t a date letter but there is an attempt at a maker’s mark. While not
copied to intentionally deceive, these marks would be easily mistaken for genuine marks.
As the silversmiths were copying items as up to date as possible to stay in fashion and
therefore find a ready market, the copying of the marks is a valuable indicator of the possible
date of manufacture. Given its form and the marks we can estimate the jug dates to the
1820’s at the latest.
Length: 24.5 cm
Height: 22 cm
Total Weight: 1261 grams
| item details | |
|---|---|
| Material and Technique | Silver |
| Origin | Chinese |
| Condition | Excellent |
| Dimensions | Length: 24.5 cm Height: 22 cm |
Product REF: JC-07213
