Chinese Export Silver

Unlike Western silver products which were often decorated with motifs of grapes, goats, or other agricultural images, Chinese silver products were created in order to export to Western civilizations and were decorated with traditional Chinese motifs like dragons, landscapes, birds, plants, etc.

Early on, each of these silver objects were masterfully crafted by hand and formed with unique imagery. However, as Chinese export silver became more popular over time, craftsmen responded by mass-producing and replicating items.

Chinese export silver can be traced back to the 17th century, originating in Canton, Jiujang, Beijing, and several other regions. During this time, China was exporting replicas of European silver. It wasn’t until 1850 that Chinese export silver really took on its own imagery and identity in the marketplace.

Quick Facts

• Because China did not have the same standards of silver production as the British, the purity of Chinese export silver works are inconsistent. However, this inconsistency does not affect the value of such works
• Catherine the Great, as well as many other European royals, often collected Chinese export silvers for the lower price and the exoticism
• Many early 18th century Chinese export silvers were destroyed as fakes in the United Kingdom as they were copies of hallmark U.K. silver works