A Chinese Silver Rice-Wine Ewer, Probably Qianlong Period (1735-1796), With Marks for Cornelis Knuystingh, Rotterdam, 1783, Presumably as Importer lobed octagonal and on conforming spreading foot, each lobe chased with differing foliage and flowers, some heightened with birds and each on a matted ground, alternating panels further respectively decorated with rabbits, a crane, a rooster and a horse, with plain handle and spout, the detachable cover similarly decorated and with openwork quatrefoil finial11cm high, 8oz 17dwt, 275grWhile very probably not made for export Chinese silver pots of a similar form to the present example, often called teapots, had arrived in Europe as early as the late 17th century. One example was given to Louis XIV in 1686 by Siamese envoys. That example, which was acquired by the Palace of Versailles in 2018 (V.2018.8), is of a similar tapering shape to the present example and with panels decorated with Chinoiserie motifs, though it is heightened with gilding. Another example which can be definitively dated is an example which is marked for London, 1682. While there has long been speculation about the origins of that example H. A. Crosby Forbes, John Devereux Kernan and Ruth S. Wilkins felt it was of Chinese manufacture and marked on import into London (H. A. Crosby Forbes, John Devereux Kernan and Ruth S. Wilkins, Chinese Export Silver 1785-1885, Milton, Massachusetts, 1975, pp. 51-52, fig. 22).Other examples include one in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, dated circa 1680 (M.69:1, 2-1955), another, dated to the Kangxi period, which is thought to have been from the collections of the Duke of Buccleuch which was on the market in 2008 (Christie’s, London, 23 October 2008, lot 233 and a third sold by Bonhams (17 May 2018, lot 266). While unusual to be marked with Dutch marks this would not be the only known example of Chinese silver being so marked. There is for example a ‘large octofoil [sic] basin, decorated with Chinese subjects in relief’ recorded as being marked for Amsterdam 1713, which was part of the silver belonging to the Duke of Portland (A. E. Jones, Catalogue of Plate Belonging to the Duke of Portland, K.G., G.C.V.O. at Welbeck Abbey, London, 1935, p. 42).Marked underneath with Dutch marks and with a later Dutch tax mark. There is some overall light surface scratching and wear, consistent with age and use. The wear is noticeable as a very minor softening to the high points.
