Important Silversmiths – Tu Mao Xing
19th Century Chinese Export Silver seven piece tea and coffee service on a tray, comprising of coffee pot, teapot, sugar bowl, milk jug, slop bowl, tea caddy and tea strainer, all on the original twin-handled tray, each spherical body is beautifully chased with bamboo leaves on a matted surface, each piece rests on a decorative skirted foot and is applied with an intricately modeled bamboo handle, outstanding quality. Hallmarked Chinese Export silver (900 standard), only the strainer bearing the mark "MT", all the other pieces (including the tray) bearing the Maker's mark in Chinese for Tu Mao Xing.
Reference Number: A3356
Tu Mao Xing mark is a quite a recent discovery: until 1980’s in fact he was wrongly identified as Kan Mao Xing and therefore not much is known about him. Tu Mao Xingis one of the first silversmiths operating in Kiukang between 1880 and 1930 and he is certainly one of the finest 19th Century Chinese silversmiths.
The very fine and consistent quality of Tu Mao Xing items is the result of a strict control over the craftsmen of the workshop.
20th Century Chinese Export silver five piece tea set on tray, comprising of teapot, sugar bowl, milk jug, waist bowl, sugar tongs and tray. Each spherical body is beautifully hammered surface decorated with bamboo leaves and cherry blossom, each piece rests on a decorative skirted foot and applied with an intricately modeled dragon handles and finials. Hallmarked Chinese Export silver marks (900+), Maker's mark Tu Qing Yun.
Reference Number: A5265
19th Century Chinese Export three piece tea set, comprising of teapot, sugar bowl and milk jug, each spherical body is beautifully applied with dragons chasing the flaming pearl of wisdom, hammered surface, each piece rests on a decorative skirted foot and applied with an intricately modeled dragon handles, outstanding quality. All the dragons have five claws, symbol of Imperial power. Hallmarked Chinese Export silver, Maker's mark in Chinese for Tu Mao Xing.
Reference Number: A4431
The items created by the firm show a very rich decoration that mixes typical Victorian forms and traditional Chinese motifs in a very theatrical and exuberant style, defined by Adrien Von Ferscht as ‘Chinese Victorian’ (A. Von Ferscht, Chinese Export Silver 1785-1940, 4th edition 2015). According to the scholar, Tu Mao Xing is the best 19th Century creator of silver Chinese dragons. Dragon is perhaps the most powerful among traditional Chinese motifs: it represents the Imperial power and it is considered a symbol of strength and dignity.