THE ANTROBUS SALVER by Khecheong (active c 1840-1870), 1850, silver, diam. 33.5cm. Private Collection. PHOTO: Simon Cuthbert – TAASA Review June 2022

Chinese Export Silver is the continuation of a silvercraft tradition dating back over two thousand years, with silver from the Tang period being considered by many to be its golden period.

While silversmiths continued the tradition in the following reigns, by the Ming period silver’s popularity seemed overshadowed by the more fashionable decorative arts of bronze, lacquer and porcelain.

The catalyst for a gradual revival of interest in silver in the Qing dynasty was the demand from Western markets...