Chinese silver bowl

A beautiful antique Chinese silver bowl featuring delicate openwork decorations of Chinese design motifs of bamboo, berries and birds. The silver bowl is fitted with a removable clear glass liner. The plain circular shield is suitable for engraving an inscription.

The 90 mark on the base is a fineness guarantee mark by the merchant confirming that the object is 90% silver.

Chinese export silver was produced in China from the mid-18th to mid-20th century for a largely Western audience. Although the West had been trading in Chinese silks, spices and teas for almost 150 years, in the mid-18th century the market for Chinese export silver flourished when the international trading value of silver fell dramatically.

With Western-inspired forms new, highly desirable works of Chinese export silver were created, with a mix of Western forms and Eastern iconography. During the mid-China Trade period (1840-1880), silversmiths began adding Chinese decorative motifs such as bamboo, dragons or warriors onto typically Western forms. Cranes and dragons are extremely popular motifs with the latter symbolising wisdom, harmony and prosperity.

Thank you to Adrien Von Ferscht (皇甫安) for sharing his knowledge. Adrien is considered the leading expert for Chinese export silver acting as an independent consultant and expert to museums, important private collections, academics and enthusiasts around the world.