SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY, LOMBARDIC H MARK OF HOACHING, CANTON, THE INSCRIPTION DATED 1881

Details

AN EXPORT SILVER TRAY AND A FOUR-PIECE COFFEE SET
SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY, LOMBARDIC H MARK OF HOACHING, CANTON, THE INSCRIPTION DATED 1881
The set comprises a coffee pot and cover, a sugar pot and cover, a milk jug, sugar tongs and a tray. Each piece is decorated with lobed design enclosing bamboo. The handles and the border of the tray are decorated with acanthus leaves. The vessels are marked also marked with Chinese stamp reading Yi Chang, the tray is stamped Feng.
The tray, 12 ¼ in. (31 cm.) diam.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Lot Essay

The Lombardic H, also known as the 'Hoaching H' is the trademark of Hoaching, believed to be a celebrated silversmithing business (active circa 1850-1870) that had a large and prominent shop on Club Street, Honam Island, Canton.

Forbes, Kernan and Wilkins in Chinese Export Silver 1785-1885 writes, "Unquestionably pieces bearing Hoaching's mark rank with the finest work produced by Export silversmiths."

The tray is inscribed in Dutch 'Aan den Heer J.L.L. van Leeuwen/ kontroleur eerste klasse / dit klein geschenk/ als een bewijs hunner hoogachting/ aangeboden/ door de Ingezetenen Van Ohleh Leh/ den 20en November/ 1881', which may be translated as 'To Mr J.L.L. van Leeuwen/ controller first class/ this small gift/ as a token of their high esteem/ by the residents of Ohleh Leh/ on the 20th November/ 1881'. Ohleh Leh was a Dutch defensive perimeter on the island of Atjeh during the Dutch colonial war during the years 1873-1914.

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