Chinese Export Silver: The Gerard Collection

A landmark sale showcasing exceptional works from the Qing dynasty and early Republic period

This forthcoming auction marks only the second dedicated sale of Chinese export silver held by Chiswick Auctions. The Gerard Collection, formed over the past twenty years, began with a single birthday gift: a tea caddy. From that point, a deep fascination with the aesthetic, forms, markings and history of Chinese export silver developed, resulting in a remarkable and diverse selection. Assembled from across the globe, the collection provides an exceptional overview of key makers, decorative forms and stylistic developments active in Canton and Shanghai from the late Qing through to the early Republic period.

While early Chinese export silver emulated English styles, particularly those produced in London, a distinct aesthetic emerged by the mid-19th century. Over the course of nearly a century, silversmiths in China developed a wide range of objects and techniques that reflected both Eastern and Western influences.

Highlights from the Makers

Ye Bo 葉伯 (Canton)
Known for intricate figural decoration, Ye Bo’s workshop supplied prominent retailers including Wang Hing and Luen Wo..

^{Lot 125, A late 19th / early 20th century Chinese export silver ewer, Canton circa 1900 marked Ye Bo, retailed by Wang Hing, £2,500-£3,500}

Sui Chang 遂昌 (Canton)
Celebrated for pierced decoration and large-scale bowls.

^{Lot 108, A late 19th / early 20th century Chinese export silver bowl on stand, Canton circa 1900, marked Sui Chang, retailed by Wang Hing, £2,000-£3,000}

Tai Chang Long 泰昌隆 (Canton)
Specialist in distinctive ‘spittoon’ bowls.

^{Lot 120},An early 20th century Chinese export silver “spittoon or cuspidor” bowl, Canton circa 1920, marked Tai Chang Long, retailed by Wang Hing, £1,500-£2,500

Qiu Ji 求記 (Canton)
Known for finely pierced trays and engraved village scenes, as well as trays with deftly executed engraved and flat chased scenes, such as village life or cranes. The mark reading Qiu Ji, or the workshop of Qiu.

^{Lot 122,A late 19th century Chinese export silver tray, Canton circa 1890, marked Qiu Ji, retailed by Wang Hing, £1,500-£2,500}

Quan 泉 / Quan Ji 泉記 (Canton)

It is likely this mark 泉 (QUAN) alone relates to the mark 泉記 (Quan Ji, the workshop of Quan), having changed around 1880.

^{Lot 124, A late 19th century Chinese export silver standing cup, Canton dated 1886 marked Quan Ji, retailed by Wang Hing, £2,000-£3,000}

Zhuo 卓 / Zhou (Canton)
A versatile workshop often supplying Wang Hing.

^{Lot 116, A late 19th century Chinese export silver tea caddy, Canton circa 1890, marked Zhou, retailed by Wang Hing, £1,000-£1,500}

Hou Xiang 厚祥 (Canton/Shanghai)
Active in both cities, known for bowls and tazzas.

^{Lot 111, A late 19th / early 20th century Chinese export silver comport or footed tazza, Canton circa 1900, marked Hou Xiang, retailed by Wang Hing, £1,500-£2,500}

Hui 匯 (Canton)
An earlier prolific workshop, with many pieces dated to the 1870’s and possibly earlier.

^{Lot 37,}^{A late 19th century Chinese export silver mug, Canton circa 1870, marked Hui, retailed by Cum Wo of Hong Kong, £600-£800}

Bao Sheng 寳生 (Canton)
Exclusively supplied Wang Hing with high-quality pieces.

^{Lot 112, A late 19th / early 20th century Chinese export silver jardinière stand, Canton circa 1900, marked Bao Sheng, retailed by Wang Hing, £2,000-£3,000}

Kun He 昆和 (Shanghai)
Produced decorative holloware with applied dragon motifs.

^{Lot 113, An early 20th century Chinese export silver epergne centrepiece, Shanghai circa 1910, marked Kun He, retailed by Wo Shing, £2,000-£3,000}

Ning Zhao Ji 甯兆記 (Shanghai)
High-quality works for multiple retailers., especially Luen Wo of Shanghai.

^{Lot 18, A late 19th / early 20th century Chinese export silver goblet, Shanghai circa 1900, marked Ning Zhao Ji, retailed by Tien Sheng of Hong Kong,}^£700-£900

Heng Lai 恒來 (Shanghai)
Large, highly decorative vessels.

^{Lot 15, A late 19th / early 20th century Chinese export silver jardinière stand, Shanghai circa 1900, marked Heng Lai, retailed by Tuck Chang of Shanghai, £1,200-£1,600}

Beyond Canton and Shanghai

Chinese export silver was also produced in smaller cities across China, often with highly individual styles.

Chengdu 成都

^{Lot 22, A rare late 19th / early 20th century Chinese export silver filigree box, Chengdu circa 1900, attributed to Rong Gao Ying Gold Shop, £600-£800}

Wuhu 蕪湖

^{Lot 23, A late 19th century Chinese export silver comport or tazza, Wuhu circa 1890, marked Bao Qing, £300-£500}

Tianjin 天津

^{Lot 24, An early 20th century Chinese export silver beaker, Tianjin (Tientsin) circa 1910, marked Tai, retailed by Wu Hua and Co, £80-£120}

Beijing 北京

^L^{ot 25}, A late 19th century Chinese export silver tray, Beijing (Peking) circa 1890, marked for Wu Hua and Co, £500-£800

Hankou 漢口

^{Lot 26, An early 20th century Chinese export silver three-piece coffee service, Hankou (Hankow) circa 1910, marked Lao Tian Bao, £800-£1,200}

Jiujiang 九江

^{Lot 27, A late 19th century Chinese export silver tea caddy, Jiujiang circa 1890, marked Tu Qing Yun, £300-£500}

Early Silver Caskets

Chinese filigree silver from the Qianlong period (mid to late 18th century) remains among the most intricate and finely worked.

^{Lot 34, A mid-18th century Chinese export parcel gilt silver filigree casket, Canton circa 1750, £4,000-£6,000}

^{Lot 35, A late 18th century Chinese export parcel gilt silver filigree and enamel casket, Canton circa 1780, £5,000-£8,000}

Mugs, Tea Caddies, Boxes and Goblets

A fine selection of mugs, caddies and standing cups from makers including Feng Zhao Ji, Shen Chang, Ye Bo, Shan Ji and others demonstrate the richness of form and decoration in late Qing silverware.

^{Lot 1, A late 19th century Chinese export silver mug, Canton circa 1870, marked Feng Zhao Ji, £1,000-£1,500}

^{Lot 110, An early 20th century Chinese export silver tea caddy, Shanghai circa 1920 marked for Shan Ji, retailed by Luen Hing, £600-£800}

^{Lot 11, A mid to late 19th century Chinese export silver goblet, Canton circa 1870-80, marked Feng Zhao Ji, retailed by Lee Ching, £500-£800}

^{Lot 89, A late 19th century Chinese export silver box, Canton circa 1890, marked Shan Zhang, retailed by Cum Shing, £600-£800}

Would you like to know what your Chinese silver could be worth?

Get in touch with our Head Silver & Objects of Vertu department, John Rogers, at john.rogers@chiswickauctions.co.uk or submit an online valuation for a complimentary and confidential appraisal.