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 with original silver finials encompassed with bead decoration; the cover to the teapot is hinged.
The teapot, cream jug and sugar bowl are fitted with plain C 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.
View the full range of Asian silverware at AC Silver
Maker: Hong Wu
