Service à thé en argent de quatre pièces sur présentoir, marque Tu Mao Xing 塗茂興, Chine, 19ème

Dim.: 67 x 38,5 x 4 cm (the tray)
L.: 23 cm - H.: 21 cm (the teapot incl. the handle)
H.: 13,5 cm (the caddy)
H.: 9,5 cm (the milk jug)
H.: 9,5 cm (the sugar bowl)

Weight: 4,5 kilograms (the whole set)
2,9 kilograms (the tray)
834 grams (the teapot)
340 grams (the teacaddy)
309 grams (the sugarpot)
180 grams (the milkjug)

Condition: (UV-checked)
- The sugar bowl in quasi excellent condition, with a few minor superficial bump marks around the base rim.
- The milk jug generally in good condition, with two bump mark to the base rim and shoulder.
- The tea caddy with a few bump mark to the base rim, and the cover in excellent condition.
- The teapot with a bump mark to the base rim, and the cover with a minor bump mark to the base rim.
- The tray in excellent condition, with some superficial wear.

品相：（已用紫外线光检查）
- 糖罐近乎全品，圈足几处轻微碰撞痕迹。
- 奶壶品相良好，圈足和肩上一个碰撞痕迹。
- 茶叶罐的圈足几处碰撞痕迹，盖子全品。
- 茶壶圈足一个碰撞痕迹，盖子圈足一个碰撞痕迹。
- 托盘近乎全品，几处轻微磨损。

Provenance: A Belgian private collection.

Above the Tu Mao Xing 涂茂興 mark, we encounter the Jiujiang city mark (九江). Jiujang, or Gaogong as it was known in the Cantonese dialect means “Nine Rivers”. Foshan is the area where the vast majority of Chinese silversmiths who were working in Canton originated from, making Foshan one of the most significant silver-making areas of China. A good number of the merchant families who became retailers of Chinese silver wares in the 19th century also hailed from the same area; the Lo family, who owned Wang Hing & Company originated from this area. 

We would like to thank Prof. Adrien von Ferscht for his assistance in describing this lot.