EARLY CHINESE EXPORT SILVER BOWL

A very early Chinese Export silver presentation bowl.

Early pieces of Chinese Export were copies of western pieces.

This bowl is a very good example decorated as it is with acanthus leaves – which symbolise enduring life and are often seen on the top of Corinthian columns – and is very heavy.

Early pieces of Chinese Export silver were much heavier than their Western counterparts.  The silversmiths were paid by weight and only a small percentage for craftsmanship.

What is extra special about this bowl is the pseudo hallmarks seen on the base.  The early Chinese silversmiths copied everything – down to those funny little marks on the back.

A piece for the collector.