ANTIQUE 19thC CHINESE EXCEPTIONAL SOLID SILVER CUP & COVER, LEECHING c.1860

DESCRIPTION

Antique 19th Century rare and unusual Chinese Export solid silver cup & cover, of traditional form resting on a water-lilly stems supported by water-lilly leaves and flowers, the body finely and profusely chased following the same theme, the handle and the finial in the form twisted rope. The piece is very unusual, fine and exceptionally crisp, base imitates a pond with birds basking under the water-Lilis, a frog and a crab, lid with a wavy rim and chased with vegetation and ribbon tied Lillis. The front of the cup applied with a shield cartooche engraved with a crest and motto 'Pulchrum Insigne Pietas' (fair sign duty) and reverse with an inscription 'presented to Francis Parry esq, by the owners of the "Fruiter" in acknowledgment of his kindness to them, Hong Kong 31st August 1867. Francis Parry F.R.G.S. was a British businessman in China and member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.

Frances Parry was a member of the Birley & Co. He was elected as Trustees for the Year 1865–66, 1866–67, 1867–68 by the Seat holders of the St. John's Cathedral, Hong Kong. He was appointed member of the Legislative Council vice Hugh Bold Gibb's absence on leave in July 1867.

Hallmarked LC LEECHING [LEE CHING] 24a Queens Road, Hong Kong 30 Old China Street, Canton; Sai Hing Kai Street, Canton & Club Street, Honam Island, Canton Nanking Road, ShangHai circa 1830-1895
Although, as it happens with the majority of the Chinese export silver makers, we don’t know the real identity of Leeching, it is easy to recognise the same high quality and fine design in all the pieces marked by the company. Leeching had shops both in Canton and Shanghai where he retailed luxury items, jewellery and silver, mainly presentation pieces, tankards and goblets very much sought after by the Western clientele.

Leeching early pieces imitate the European neoclassical style and can compete with the finest Paul Storr production and can be recognised just for the heavy weight. In the second half of the century, Leeching introduced traditional Chinese motifs to decorate its pieces (dragons, bamboo leaves and genre scenes), but always maintaining neoclassical forms. Scholar Adrien Von Ferscht describes Leeching artworks as monumental (see A. Von Ferscht, Chinese Export Silver 1785-1940, 4th edition 2015). The firm also supplied Hancocks, the silver retailer based in London who also worked for Queen Victoria.

CONDITION

In Great Condition - No Damage.

SIZE

Height: 28cm
Width: 20 x 12cm
Weight: 825g