KAM TIN, 1980

THE ENIGMATIC KAM TIN, HONG KONG, WAS PROBABLY A FURNITURE COMPANY ORIGINATING FROM THE AREA OF HONG KONG WITH WHICH IT SHARES ITS NAME. THEIR LIMITED KNOWN OUTPUT CONSISTS EXCLUSIVELY OF PIECES OF ELEGANTLY DRAWN FURNITURE, LAVISHLY ENCASED IN CAREFULLY SELECTED TURQUOISE CABOCHONS, FROM THE MINES OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES, WITHIN FINELY CUT BRASS FRAMES. ALTHOUGH THE COMPANY IS RUMOURED TO HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION FROM THE 1970S TO THE 1990S, CREATING PIECES FOR EXPORTATION TO THE WEST (HENCE THE BASICALLY WESTERN FORMS EMPLOYED), VERY FEW PIECES HAVE EVER COME TO THE OPEN MARKET AND THOSE THAT HAVE ARE GENERALLY DATED TO CIRCA 1980. THE MYSTERY SURROUNDING THE PRODUCTION OF THESE REMARKABLY FINE AND UNUSUAL PIECES ONLY ADDS TO THE CHARM GENERATED BY THEIR STRIKING COLOUR AND NATURAL OPULENCE.