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Chinese Export Silver Tea Set with Original Box Zee Wo

Offered by: Tishu

Description
A four piece Chinese export silver tea service set consists of a lidded teapot, a creamer with lid, an open sugar and a tongs. The set was retailed by Zee Wo, a silver retailer located in Shanghai at 121 and 370 Henan Road and operated circa 1870-1940s. The set was beautifully decorated with high-relief dragons with tightly chased scales, slithering with open claws, one of the most auspicious motifs in Chinese traditional art. The knobs and handles were made in stylized bamboo shape, which is found on the tongs. The creamer and sugar were gilt inside. All pieces except the tongs were marked the same way underneath with "ZEEWO" and a square stamp that reads "Shan" in Chinese which identifies the silversmith. The set retains its original handled storage wood box with molded interior compartments covered in brocade. The box retains partially legible ink writings on the bottom identifying the content.
Size: Teapot: 6"h x 9.75"w x 6.25"d; Creamer: 3"h x 5.25"w x 4"d; Sugar: 4"h x 6.25"w x 4.25d"; Tongs: 4.9"l x 1.5"w x 1.2"h.
Zee Wo was a well known silver retailed in Shanghai that might be identified as Cantonese style based on some old advertisement. It seems that it operated until 1940s. Several old newspaper advertisements were shown here. This tea set is dated to circa early 20th century.

More Information

Origin:	China
Period:	1900-1919
Materials:	silver in wood box
Condition:	Good. Silverware are in fine condition with minor surface wear such as fine scratches expected from the age. Wood storage box is in fair condition with wear inside and outside.
Creation Date:	1900-1930s
Number of Pieces:	4-5
Styles / Movements:	Chinese Export, Asian, Traditional
Patterns:	Animal/Insects, Geometric, Handmade, Textured, Traditional
Incollect Reference #:	460974

Dimensions

W.	15 in;	H.	13 in;	D.	7 in;
W.	38.1 cm;	H.	33.02 cm;	D.	17.78 cm;

Message from Seller:

Our collection ranges from Neolithic Art to 20th century collectible art and design. It spans 5000 thousand years of history and crosses many civilizations and cultures. Our aesthetic strongholds are Mid-century studio design, Japanese and Korean art, Asian Textile Art and Contemporary Aboriginal Art. The diversity is united behind our singular vision to seek for timeless beauty and driven purely by our passion