Description
Maker: Tu Qing Yun, retailed by ?? Lao Tian Li, Zu Wen purity mark (.950), Jiujiang, (Jiangxi Province, comprising: 1 x teapot with detachable domed stepped cover surmounted by a flaming pearl finial, 1 x matching milk jug and 1 x two-handled open sugar bowl, each square-shaped (rounded cube) body with rising everted flared cylindrical neck and rolled rim, the milk jug and sugar bowl ornamented with an incised foliate scrollwork band whereas the teapot features an unadorned frieze. The planished (Martelé) set bears a central spandrel panel, enclosing a central vacant shield cartouche against a field of raised, embossed repoussé naturalistic bamboo shoots on a finely incised and tooled ground, verso depicting a gnarled fruiting prunus tree issuing from the rockwork, surrounding a richly embellished bas-relief panel displaying perched birds amongst flowering peach blossoms. The teapot is further adorned with a finely integral open-cast writhing 5-toed sky dragon zoomorphic handle, applied wirework horns and sinuous scrolling whiskers and a slender swan neck spout. The other two pieces adorned with conforming decoration and conforming scrolling dragon handles, all on square-shaped bases with stamped hallmarks on the underside (Approx weighable silver mass: 983g) (Tallest height: 14cm) (Condition report: Old solder repairs evident to milk jug, minor dents and dent to rim of sugar bowl evident)
