Antique Chinese Export Silver Three Piece Tea Service

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese export silver three piece tea service; an addition to our diverse silver teaware collection

This exceptional antique Chinese silver tea set/service consists of a teapot, cream jug and covered sugar bowl.

Each piece of this silver tea set with dragons has an ovoid rounded form onto four feet.

The surface of each piece is encircled with a fine and impressive embossed and chased decorated undulating, iconic Chinese dragon design, stood on stylised cloud motifs.

One side of each piece features a plain circular vacant cartouche.

The silver teapot and sugar bowl are fitted with the original plain domed covers surmounted withoriginal silver finials encompassed with bead decoration; the cover to the teapot is hinged.

The teapot, cream jug and sugar bowl are fitted with plainC shaped handles.

The teapot has an impressive plain swan necked spout.

Each piece is supported by four impressive claw and ball style feet, embellished with scales replicating the details of a dragon.

The interior of the cream jug and sugar bowl retains the original gilding.
The hallmarks struck to the rim of this impressive antique tea set include:

Maker’s mark: HW (HONE WO (Cantonese version of the name HONG WU), Hong Kong)
Silver quality/purity mark: 90 (90 standard, 900/1000)
Artisan workshop mark: SHENG CHANG (Hong Kong)

NOTE: We are grateful to Adrien von Ferscht for his help in identifying this exceptional antique service.

Condition
This antique Chinese silver tea set with dragons is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional presentation condition.

The interior of each piece has been professionally cleaned and is ready for use.

The embossed and chased decoration is very sharp.

The Chinese hallmarks to the underside of each piece are clear.

Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of these pieces of antique silverware.

Dimensions
Teapot
Length from back of handle to tip of spout 23.5cm/9.3′
Diameter 11.8cm/4.6′
Height 20.4cm/8′

Sugar Bowl
Length across handles 17.5cm/6.9′
Diameter 8.8cm/3.5′
Height 15.2cm/6′

Cream Jug
Length from back of handle to tip of lip 15cm/5.9′
Diameter 8cm/3.1′
Height 12.8cm/5′

Total Weight
35.1 troy ounces/1092g

Date: Circa 1920
Origin: Hong Kong, China.

Item Ref. SKU: C6013