Chinese Export Silver Tray 50 Figures GEMWO 1850 62 oz

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Chinese Export Silver Tray 50 Figures GEMWO 1850 62 oz:
$12500.00

CHINESE EXPORT SILVER HARBOR TRAY; FIFTY FIGURES; WEIGHS 62 OUNCES; MAKER GEMWO; EXCELLENT CONDITION

This is an important mid-19th century, Chinese export silver presentation salver.

The center shield with elaborate series of Chinese characters. We will have the translation shortly.

From one of the most important Canton makers Gemwo c1850.

Part of our forty year collection of over 300 examples of CES. Most acquired in the 1970s and 1980s.

Classic raised oval form.

The wide shelf border comprised of fifty individual Chinese characters, in various activities of daily life.

A bearded man with stringed instrument on lap and woman kneeling with long neck sitar like instrument. Reclining elder speaks to students in garden.

A traveling woman with attendant holding her parasol, another with her attending carrying rug, or scrolls. An elder watches as attendants prepare his meal over an open flame. A seated figure tends to large tea kettle as travelers approach.

The fifty figures set amidst thatch roof cottages, tall pine, bamboo and palm tress and exotic foliage. Rich stippled background, like satin.

The recessed centre with harbor side scene. A seated scholar watches as travelers approach. Small fishing boats and series of mountainous, tree lined islands. One at the top of the scene only faintly engraved, to give the observer a sense of its distance.

Boldly cast George III style feet. Beaded cap with winged leaf and raised globe centre, scroll tip.

In classic circular form.

Elegant floral and entwined vine rim.

Wide border of beautifully carved raised grape and leaf. A classic theme in Chinese decorative arts for centuries. And found on the earliest of trade silver.

Centre with brilliant chased swirling leaf and vine displays. Partial shading enhances the visual appeal. Delicate vein network painstaking engraved to each leaf.

Finest hand chased finish detail. Clearly the work of one of Cutshing\'s master chasers.

Gemwo fifty figure salver is 21 inches by 16 inches weighs 62 (standard) ounces.

Hallmarked as shown.

Excellent condition. Rich lusterous silver patina throughout. Beautifully carved harbor scene retains most all of its original crisp, hand chased detail. The fifty figures along border without apparent loss, many retain their original facial detail. Mild scuffs and lines to centre. Two feet strengthened, with silver brace to back of only, see image.

Massachusetts residents are subject to sales tax.