An early 20^th century Chinese Export silver three-piece tea service, Shanghai circa 1920 retailed by Zee Wo

Comprising a teapot, a milk jug and a twin handled sugar bowl. Each of globular form upon a collet foot. The teapot with a root wood modelled curved spout opposite a root wood modelled C scroll handle fitted with ivory insulators, the hinged domed lid surmounted by a root wood modelled detachable finial. The bodies with embossed decoration of chrysanthemums against a matted ground, each with vacant shield shape cartouche to one side. The milk and sugar with the same handles and gilt interiors. The teapot and milk marked underneath with retailer’s mark ZEEWO and artisan mark TAI YIN JI 泰銀記, the sugar marked STERLING and with a different artisan mark MING JI 明記. (3)

Teapot length – 21.8 cm / 8.6 inches

Weight – 876 grams / 28.16 ozt

Ivory de minimis pre-1947 declaration applied for: 8GPZ5N5V