Chinese Export silver ..and then
As trade opened up with China after the Opium Wars so Chinese Export silver changed..
The Chinese Export silver , western style with the pseudo hallmarks – see my blog
https://esmeparishsilver.com/blog/the-origina-of-chinese-export-silver-in-the-beginning/
developed into a whole new art form – a mix of East and West that may never again be repeated
The western form continued – tea sets, and dishes, presentation mugs and card case but now a whole lot of Chinese motifs became the decoration – lookalike silver was a thing of the past
It was still a bespoke trade – the merchants would commission special pieces of Chinese Export silver but now the motifs became very important. The Westerners were fascinated with the symbolism of these motifs
Let’s look at this Chinese Export silver tea set – with a sugar bowl and a cream jug and in this case even a coffee pot it is clearly a tea set destined for the Western market
But look closely – the bamboo motif has been applied to the round bodies and form the handles , finials and spouts.
Bamboo symbolises resilience – it stays evergreen in the winter.
A popular motif in Chinese export silver and seen in some lovely interpretations.
These small Chinese Export silver bud vases have been made to look like bamboo stems and even the gnarled feet look like bamboo
Here you see the motif on a Chinese Export silver vanity set – totally western in form, made in China -in this case in Shanghai and still in the original silk lined box
https://esmeparishsilver.com/product/chinese/other-chinese/chinese-vanity-set/
Chrysanthemums
Flowering chrysanthemums was another popular motif in Chinese Export silver – they bloom through the frost – what more can you wish a mature lady or on a wedding anniversary
Again we have a vanity set but this time with just the brushes and the mirror – Again an example of Chinese Export silver in the Western style – note the intertwined initials of the original owner engraved on the polished surface.
Below is a Chinese Export silver inkwell made in Shanghai in the late 19th century is totally western in form but has the chrysanthemum motif on the inkwell and the handles are even in the form of chrysanthemum stems.
Here is a Chinese Export silver presentation bowl -see the flowering chrysanthemum branches decorating on the body of the bowl but also on the rim . So western in shape but so much symbolism.
Plum Blossom
Another favourite motif found on Chinese Export silver is the plum blossom. Plum blossom is the first flower that blooms in the Spring and symbolises new beginnings. It was often requested by the Western buyer for a wedding gift or maybe for a present for a young girl and became very popular in the late 1890’s as the new century approached
This Chinese Export silver tray has plum blossom branches finely engraved on the centre around an oval reserve and the border has closely worked with plum blossoms.
What makes this tray extra special is the engraving on the back. There are two sets of initials – presumably the bride and groom and the date of the wedding day – Sept 16,1891
Here we have more plum blossom – this time on a Chinese Export silver photo frame – again maybe for a wedding photo. A charming diagonal frame.
Sometimes I am lucky enough to find a really specially commissioned –like this large Chinese Export silver bowl. We see the plum blossom motif again but this time there are pheasants among the branches. Pheasants symbolise fertility and passion!
Cranes
Sometimes you find cranes worked amongst plum blossom – Cranes mate for life and were often included in pieces that might have been commisioned for a wedding present 
as in this fan menu holder
Scenes
The Westerners often requested Chinese scenes on their Export silver buy.
Usually these would be battle scenes on tankards and maybe more tranquil scenes on other pieces.
https://esmeparishsilver.com/product/chinese/boxes-chinese/chinese-scene-box-2/Here we have a Chinese Export silver table box given as a gift. The giver is wishing tranquil times to his friend- look at the amazing detail on all four sides and the lid
On this Chinese Export silver tankard we see a battle scene – with the flags marching off to war. A much favoured scene subject.
And here is a set of three Chinese Export silver serving spoons
three seers for guidance
Iris
The iris motif became very popular around 1900 in Chinese Export silver – irises symbolise fruitfulness , wisdom , hope , truth and valour – not much missing!
Dragons
But at the end of the day probably the most favoured motif in Chinese Export silver for the Westerners was the dragon.
You can see it on finials, handles and spouts.
As you can see on this Tea pot –
maybe not the easiest thing to pour from but impressive! All three possible places in one!
Maybe this tea pot is a bit over the top?
Here is another tea set with a dragon finial which is maybe more liveable with!
But there are so many pieces where dragons are used to tremendous effect
These two caddies – look how the dragon on the smaller caddy is clutching the magic pearl
Or on these vases /candlesticks
One of a pair of Chinese Export silver candlesticks – the dragon twisting around the straight column
Or this Chinese Export silver card case
Again we see the initials of the original owner and this time even a date.
Chinese Export silver is a very special combination of Chinese motifs and western shaped items.
All these pieces were crafted to be used – even if only to impress the neighbours!
It was a bespoke trade – never made in any quantity and totally hand crafted.
Chinese Export silver is a product of especially fascinating circumstances –
it attests to an artistic legacy that is unique – a blend of East and West that may never again be repeated.
And unbelievably we have been able to collect over the years a wide range of these Chinese Export silver pieces in every form
So do browse our extensive collection for that extra special treasure.
We have a great range of unique Chinese Export items at affordable prices
https://esmeparishsilver.com/?s=chinese
Whats app us on +65 9154 6662 or email esme@esmeparishsilver.com