Description

An early English antique silver beaker of plain tapering design with simple foot wires. Dating from the late 1600’s. Charmingly flat chased with an exuberant scene of exotic birds and foliage in the Chinese style known as “chinoiserie”. To the front there are hand engraved initials “MFD” and the date 1684 and to the reverse are the prick engraved initials “CIE”. Excellent patina and hand beaten finish.

Contains 290 ml.
Weight 99 grams, 3.1 troy ounces.
Height 9.2cm. Diameter 8cm.
London 1683.
Maker John Duck, well known for his fine period beakers.
Sterling silver.

View our article on chinoiserie silver

Marks. Stamped underneath with a full set of English silver hallmarks.

Literature. Flat chased silver “in the Chinese taste” enjoyed a brief period of remarkable popularity from the 1670’s to the early Queen Anne period. Silverware of normal European forms was decorated with charming scenes representing Chinamen, birds and Chinese landscapes. The concentration of nearly all surviving examples within this clearly defined period, and the similarity of decoration on objects bearing different makers marks, point to a specialist workshop not yet identified, to which silver was sent by goldsmiths or their customers for decoration. This charming decoration of Chinese figures, birds, foliage etc. is rarely found and adds considerably to the piece.

Provenance. There is a chinoiserie beaker 1683/4 by John Duck recorded by Michael Clayton in his book dated 1985. A chinoiserie porringer by John Duck was sold by Sotheby N.Y. in 1992.