BOXED CHINESE EXPORT SILVER TEA SET

A Chinese Export silver tea set in the orginal box complete with the original cotton wool wrapping!

The tea set itself is very charming – slightly smaller – ideal tea for two!

The rounded bodies of each piece has applied decoration of flowering irises against a polished background

Irises symbolise hope, wisdom, trust and valour

The finials on the lids of the tea pot and sugar bowl and the handles on all the pieces use the bamboo motif

Bamboo has several symbolic associations: its unbending nature refers to integrity, but at the same time it can relate to youth and suppleness; its ability to survive adverse weather makes it an emblem of endurance; and, since its stem is hollow, it is linked with humility and purity of the heart.

It is very difficult to find sets in the original boxes that would have been used to transport them.  In this case even the original cotton wool wrapping has been retained

The label on the outside of the box could says light .  The label on the inside of the box is more interesting – it looks like it could well have been from a pawn shop – Estimate $160 – Times have changed