CHINESE EXPORT SILVER TEA SERVICE, SHANGHAI, CIRCA 1 (05/23/2011)...

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CHINESE EXPORT SILVER TEA SERVICE, SHANGHAI, CIRCA 1890

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CHINESE EXPORT SILVER TEA SERVICE, SHANGHAI, CIRCA 1890

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Sold Date: 05/23/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

OPULENT, ELEGANT "T" SERVICE WITH MATCHING BLACKWOOD TRAY
WOW!!
Three piece tea service with "hong mu" (Blackwood) tray. Marked twice "Tuck Chang", Shanghai's well known silver maker from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.
Teapot, lidded sugar bowl, and creamer all marked with Chinese characters on the bottom as pictured. Each silver tray handle clearly marked "Tuck Chang" and Chinese characters. The teapot, sugar bowl, creamer, and tray all have a large monogram "T" inside a plain circle. The main surfaces are very subtly textured and all handles are in the traditional bamboo style.
The hinged-lid teapot measures about 9" across from spout to handle and is about 5" high. The very tight handle has two creamy white "bone" insulators, both uncracked and in excellent condition. There are two dimples on the back of the teapot, a small crease on its lid, and a barely noticeable repair on the neck, all as pictured. The monogram "T" is about 7/8" high and the piece weighs 12.17 troy ounces.
The lidded sugar bowl measures about 6" across the handles and is about 3 3/4" high. Its condition is excellent. The monogram "T" is about 5/8" high and the piece weighs 6.13 troy ounces.
The creamer measures about 5" across the spout to the handle and is about 3" high. Aside from a tiny pin hole at the seam to the right of the spout (pictured), its condition is excellent. The monogram "T" is about 5/8" high and the piece weighs 4.35 troy ounces.
The Blackwood tray measures about 17 1/2" by about 12" and is about 1 1/4" high on slightly elevated corner feet. Overall from silver handle to silver handle, the tray is about 22 1/2". The central silver plaque is about 3" by about 2 1/4" and the monogram "T" is about about 1 1/2" high. The single piece (!) "floating panel" tray bottom has contracted (as designed) now revealing a small gap, as pictured. No repairs or replacements whatsoever to the Blackwood tray. The hollow silver bamboo handles and central plaque are difficult to weigh on their own, but from their size and sturdy construction I estimate their combined weight at 6 troy ounces or more.
Overall a wonderful (and whimsical) "T" set in superb condition given its age of 100+ years. The minor issues with the teapot and creamer should be easily remedied by a skilled silversmith. The combined silver weight for all pieces is an estimated 28.65 troy ounces .
I purchased this set from a highly respected Fifth Avenue, New York City gallery almost 20 years ago. I am not an expert and have described this item to the best of my ability.
Returns accepted only for material errors or omissions in item description.
Shipped fast, packed securely, and fully insured to US addresses only. International shipments by prior arrangement only .
Please ask all questions prior to placing bids.