13th Jul, 2024 9:30 GMT/BST
Fine Jewellery, Watches & Silver
2088
A Five-Piece Chinese Export Silver Tea and Coffee-Service With a Tray En Suite
Various Artisan Workshop Marks, Retailed by Nanking Store, Shanghai; Zee Wo, Shanghai and Guang Ji, Canton and Shanghai, First Quarter 20th Century
each piece chased with dragons in high relief, with bamboo cast handles, comprising a teapot; a coffee-pot, each with ivory-insulated handles; a kettle, stand and lamp, insulators lacking; a cream-jug and a sugar-bowl, the tray oblong and engraved with dragons centring a vacant cartouche
the tray 70.5cm wide over handles, total gross weight approximately 216oz 2dwt, 6,721gr (6)
The present service was acquired by the family of the present owners from a number of retailers at the beginning of the 20th century. It is marked with various artisan marks with the teapot, cream-jug and sugar-bowl, which are each retailed by Zee Wo and Company, with the mark of En. The coffee-pot and kettle, stand and lamp have the retailer's mark of Guang Ji and the artisan marks of either Jin or Ren and finally the tray with the artisan mark of Guang Xiang and the retailer's mark of Nanking Store.
The teapot with non-transferable standard ivory exemption declaration number Z9YHK6H5.
The coffee-pot with non-transferable standard ivory exemption declaration number HD4DCJDT.
Tennants are grateful to Dr Adrien von Ferscht for his assistance in identifying the marks.
Sold for £4,200
Estimated at £4,000 - £6,000
The tray stamped 'Nanking' and further marked with Chinese character mark. The marks are generally clear. There is some overall surface scratching and wear, consistent with age and use. The weight of the tray alone is 3,957gr.
The kettle, stand and lamp stamped 'Silver' under kettle and on stand. Further stamped with two Chinese character marks. There is some overall surface scratching and wear, consistent with age and use. There are some bruises to the stand, which rocks when placed on a level surface, and the lamp. The finial is pushed somewhat into the cover. The overhead swing handle lacking insulators.
The coffee-pot is marked with two Chinese character marks. There is some wear to the marks. There is some overall surface scratching and wear, consistent with age and use. There are bruises overall, particularly to the cover below the finial. The finial does not fix tightly to the body. There is some cracking and discolouration to the ivory insulators.
The teapot; cream-jug and sugar bowl each stamped 'Zeewo' and with two character marks. There is some minor wear to the marks. There is some overall surface scratching and wear, consistent with age and use. There is some bruising overall. The teapot is lacking the finial. There is some discoloration and cracking to the ivory insulators.
We are happy to provide Condition Reports to prospective buyers, but would welcome your request as soon as possible, preferably at least 48 hours before the Day of Sale. We cannot guarantee a reply to any requests made within 48 hours of the start of the auction. The absence of a Condition Report from a lot does not mean that the lot is in perfect condition. A Condition Report is an honest expression of our opinion, not a statement of fact and is provided as a service to the seller. All lots are available on public view ahead of an auction and we encourage prospective buyers to inspect an item in person where possible. Our Condition Reports are not prepared by professional conservators, restorers, or engineers, and are prepared with the naked eye unless otherwise stated.
Regarding Pictures, Prints and Works on Paper, works are not examined out of the frame, unless specifically stated. Tennants Auctioneers do not cover damage to gilded wood or plaster picture frames, or to picture frame glass whilst the item is in our possession.
We accept no liability for the opinions expressed in any Condition Report.
Auction: Fine Jewellery, Watches & Silver, 13th Jul, 2024
A dazzling selection of rings are on offer in the Fine Jewellery, Watches and Silver Sale, led by two impressive diamond rings from private collections. The first is a Diamond Three Stone Ring, which has a significant total diamond content of 6.25 carat approximately. The second is a Diamond Two Stone Twist Ring, featuring old cut diamonds with a total estimated diamond weight of 5.00 carat. For those seeking colour, a Sapphire and Diamond Ring from the Victorian era features an old pear cut sapphire and old cut diamonds, and an Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring has a central Colombian emerald.
An extremely fine and rare 1968 Omega First Generation/Second Execution Professional Exotic Red Racing Speedmaster Chronograph Wristwatch is one of the outstanding lots in the Watch section of the sale. This is joined by a 2021 Rolex 18 Carat Everose Gold and Diamond Set Day/Date Wristwatch, a 2014 Breguet 18 Carat White Gold Classique Wristwatch, and 2016 Patek Philippe 18 Carat Rose Gold Annual Calendar Wristwatch. Amongst the pocket watches in the sale is a very rare Cartier Art Deco Ultra Slim 18 Carat Gold Open Faced Pocket Watch, made in 1935.
The sale also includes a selection of silver, purchased in the legendary 1977 ‘Sale of the Century’ at Mentmore Towers, conducted by Sotheby’s. Mentmore is a grand country house, built for the Rothschild family in Buckinghamshire in the 1850s. Highlights of Mentmore silver on offer in the sale include a Pair of Edward VII Silver Inkwells by Sebastian Garrard, London, 1904. The inkwells belonged to Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery and 1st Earl Midlothian, who married Hannah de Rothschild, only heir of Baron Meyer de Rothschild. Amongst several lots of Chinese silver in the sale is a Five-Piece Chinese Export Silver Tea and Coffee Service, retailed by Nanking Store, Shanghai in the first quarter of the 20th century, each piece chased with dragons and with handles cast in the shape of bamboo. Further highlights include a Victorian Silver Tea Tray by Stephen Smith and William Nicholson, London, 1853 decorated with the coat-of-arms of the Holdsworth family, and a Pair of William III Silver Tazze by Joseph Sheene, London, 1698.
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Sunday 7 July to Friday 12 July 11am-4pm and morning of sale from 8am
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