WELCOME TO MY PRIVATE MUSEUM! FINE & UNIQUE ITEMS HAND SELECTED FOR THEIR RARITY & QUALITY. A TRULY RARE AND FANTASTIC ORIGINAL ANTIQUE! KINDLY ENJOY SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE “4 TOED” DRAGON AS WELL AS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A DRAGON CHASING THE “FLAMING PEARL” THAT I HAVE ADDED BELOW THE DESCRIPTION AS BOTH APPLY TO THIS MASTERFULLY EXECUTED STERLING TEA SET! MY DEAR FELLOW LOVERS OF THE FINEST IN ASIAN ART, ANTIQUES AND UNUSUAL RARITIES FROM CHINA; THIS PHENOMENAL, RARE SHAPED, EXCEPTIONALLY TALL AND HEAVY ALL SOLID CHINESE SILVER THREE PIECE TEA SERVICE IS MADE OF REAL STERLING QUALITY SILVER. IT WAS SUPERBLY CRAFTED OVER A CENTURY AGO WITH CENTRAL PANELS OF THE EXTERIOR METICULOUSLY DECORATED BY HAND WITH THOUSANDS OF MINUSCULE HAMMERED DETAILS PROVIDING A FABULOUS TEXTURE TO THE BACKGROUND. EACH OF THE THREE PIECES IN THIS EXTRAORDINARY TEA SET ARE DECORATED WITH THESE FABULOUS TEXTURED PANELS ALONG WITH A SENSATIONAL HIGH RELIEF TRADITIONAL 4 TOED (A SYMBOL OF IMPERIAL NOBILITY OR HIGH RANKING OFFICIAL) CHINESE DRAGON AS WELL AS A VARIETY OF CLOUDS AND FLAMES. THIS INCREDIBLY DETAILED DRAGON IS DEPICTED IN FLIGHT WHILE CHASING THE LARGE FLAMING PEARL LOCATED JUST BEYOND THE GRASP OF HIS TEETH. THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL IS IMPECCABLE AS YOU CAN COUNT EACH OF THE HUNDREDS OF HAND DONE SCALES THAT FORM THE DRAGON’S BODY, CLAWS, BAT LIKE LITTLE WINGS (SYMBOLIC IN BUDDHISM), FLAMES WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO HIS FACE WITH ALMOST MICROSCOPIC PRECISION TO EVEN THE SLIGHTEST DETAIL OF REALISM. THE LARGE FLAMING PEARL IS OUTSTANDINGLY HAND CRAFTED AS I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE DEPICTED SO LARGE AND IMPRESSIVELY IN ANY CHINESE MOTIFS. PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS IS ALL HAND WORK AND NOT CAST OR MOLDED LIKE MODERN MADE PIECES OF SILVER. THE TEAPOT’S HINGED LID IS ALSO DECORATED WITH EMBOSSED DESIGNS STYLED WITH THE SAME GRANULATED BACKGROUND AND WONDROUS RELIEFS OF THE DRAGON’S SMOKE MIXING WITH THE CLOUDS. THE LEVEL OF QUALITY IS SUPERB AS THE HANDLE IS PIN SET WITH SMALL IVORIE INSULATORS. THE PURPOSE OF THE INSULATORS IS TO DISPERSE THE HEAT AWAY FROM THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE HANDLE WHERE ONE PLACES THEIR HAND WHEN POURING TEA. AS IF THE QUALITY ITSELF WAS NOT SENSATIONAL ENOUGH AS EVEN THE OVERALL FORM OF THE TEA POT IS RATHER SPECIAL AND UNIQUE WITH ITS TALL GRACEFUL STYLING. THE TEAPOT MEASURES ABOUT 7&1/2 INCHES TALL WHICH IS QUITE UNUSUAL AS CHINESE TEAPOTS FROM THE 1800’S THROUGH EARLY 1900’S ARE TYPICALLY SHORT AND SQUAT IN FORM. THE CONSTRUCTION IS EVERY BIT AS MARVELOUS AS THE HAND DETAILING WITH THIS BEING MADE OF HEAVY GAUGE ALL SOLID STERLING SILVER EASILY EXEMPLIFIED BY ITS SUPERLATIVE WEIGHT OF 404 GRAMS (WELL OVER 14 STANDARD OUNCES). THE CREAMER OR CREAM PITCHER IS ALSO LOVELY DEPICTING THE MATCHING DESIGN OF A DRAGON CHASING A FLAMING PEARL AMONGST A SKY OF CLOUDS AND FIRE. THE CREAM PITCHER MEASURES 4&1/2 INCHES TALL AND JUST LIKE THE TEA POT, IT IS WELL MADE, BEAUTIFULLY DETAILED AND OF A HEFTY WEIGHT AT 172 GRAMS (OVER 6 REGULAR OUNCES). THE PITCHER’S TOP EDGE, ALL AROUND THE MOUTH, IS FASHIONED WITH A ROLLED EDGE TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EVEN POUR. JUST ANOTHER INDICATION OF THE WELL THOUGHT QUALITY TYPICAL OF ONLY THE FINEST SILVER MAKERS. THE OPEN SUGAR BOWL IS QUITE ELEGANT WITH ITS SUBSTANTIAL DOUBLE HANDLES ALONG WITH THE IDENTICAL DRAGON AND FLAMING PEARL MOTIFS. THE SUGAR BOWL ALSO MEASURES 4&1/2 INCHES TALL WITH A WIDTH OF 5&1/2 INCHES FROM HANDLE OUTSIDE EDGE TO OPPOSITE HANDLE OUTSIDE EDGE. AS THE SUGAR BOWL IS DOUBLE HANDLED, THE WEIGHT OF 193 GRAMS (ALMOST 7 REGULAR OUNCES) IS OBVIOUSLY MORE THAN THE CREAM PITCHER. THE TEA POT, CREAMER AND SUGAR BOWL ARE ALL IN FINE USABLE CONDITION WITH NO HOLES, NO SIGNIFICANT DENTS OTHER THAN A SLIGHT, EASILY REMOVED IMPRESSION TO THE BODY OF THE CREAMER, THE HANDLES ARE ALL WELL ATTACHED AND EVERY ASPECT HAS A NICE STURDY FEELING TYPICAL OF HEAVY GAUGE REAL STERLING SILVER. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS SET IS ANTIQUE AND HAND MADE SO THERE WILL BE SLIGHT VARIATIONS, IMPERFECTIONS, TINY DENTS, SMALL SCRATCHES OR SCUFFS AND SLIGHT SIGNS OF USE ALL COMMENSURATE WITH ITS 100+ YEARS OF AGE. THANKFULLY, THIS HAS NEVER BEEN PROFESSIONALLY POLISHED WHICH GREATLY BENEFITS THE ORIGINALITY AND FINE ATTENTION TO DETAILING. ANTIQUE SILVER SHOULD ONLY BE HAND POLISHED AS PROFESSIONAL POLISHING INVOLVES A BUFFING MACHINE WHICH NOT ONLY REMOVES FINE SCRATCHES AND SMALL IMPERFECTIONS BUT THE HIGH-LITES AND INTRICATE DETAILING TO A DESIGN. CONSIDERING THE ASTRONOMICAL AMOUNT OF TIME IT MUST HAVE TAKEN A CENTURY AGO TO CREATE SUCH ULTIMATE AND MICROSCOPIC DETAIL, IT WOULD BE A SHAME TO DESTROY THE HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF LABOR THAT THIS REQUIRED WITH THE USE OF A BUFFING WHEEL. WITH THAT SAID, PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS RETAINS ITS ORIGINAL UNTOUCHED DETAILING AND CHARACTERISTICS ONLY OBTAINED THROUGH DECADES OF GENTLE ENJOYMENT AND USE. I WISH I KNEW THE MAKER’S NAME WHO EXECUTED THIS FANTASTIC TEA SET WITH SUCH OBVIOUS PASSION FOR PERFECTION BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE NEW BOOK BY ADRIEN VON FERSCHT. THAT LISTS THE HUNDREDS OF NAMES CORRESPONDING TO THE MAKER’S MARKS FOUND ON ANTIQUE CHINESE SILVER BUT IF YOU DO, I WOULD LOVE YOU TO MESSAGE ME WITH ANY IDENTIFICATION FOR THIS MAKER WHO HAS STAMPED EACH PIECE ON THE BASE WITH HIS INITIALS IN A HALLMARK OF; “HF”. EACH PIECE IS FURTHER HALLMARKED; “STERLING” ON THE UNDERSIDE BOTTOM FOR THEIR SOLID SILVER PURITY. I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO MENTION THAT THIS SET IS NOT MONOGRAMMED AND THERE IS NO MONOGRAM REMOVAL. THIS SET HAS BEEN DEEPLY ENJOYED ON A SPLENDID CHIPPENDALE TEA TABLE IN THE LIVING ROOM OF MY HOME FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS, EVER SINCE I ACQUIRED IT FROM A DEAR FRIEND WHO HAD AN ANTIQUE STORE IN LOS ANGELES, DECADES AGO, BUT NOW, WITH MY 87TH BIRTHDAY FAST APPROACHING, I KNOW IT IS TIME FOR ME TO FIND THIS GORGEOUS TEA SET AND MANY OF MY OTHER MOST PRECIOUS HEIRLOOMS A NEW CARETAKER WHO WILL LOVE, CHERISH AND CARE FOR THEM AS THIS FANTASTIC CHINESE TREASURE SURELY DESERVES. I KNOW THAT IT SHALL PROVIDE YOU THE SAME PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP, BEAUTY AND APPRECIATION FOR THE ARTS OF IMPERIAL CHINA THAT IT HAD I. IT’S TRULY A SPECTACULAR SET FROM OLD CHINA THAT YOU WILL CERTAINLY NOT FIND AGAIN. ENJOY & HAPPY EBAYING, BERNICE ELLEN. ONCE YOU HAVE ENTERED MY STORE AND IF YOU LOVE WHAT I OFFER, YOU CAN CHECK MY ITEMS AS OFTEN AS YOU’D LIKE BY CLICKING THE; ” FOLLOW SELLERS” LINK LOCATED AT THE TOP OF MY STORE’S PAGE. I STILL HAVE HOARDS OF PRECIOUS GOODIES THAT I HAVE BEEN COLLECTING OVER MY LIFE SPENT IN THE ANTIQUES AND FINE JEWELRY BUSINESS. BY THE WAY, I HAPPILY OFFER LAY-A-WAY WITH A NON-REFUNDABLE 20% DEPOSIT AND THE BALANCE DUE WITHIN 30 DAYS OR LONGER ON ANY OF MY VERY EXPENSIVE PIECES! SOME HISTORY OF THE DRAGON AND THE SYMBOLIC IMPORTANCE OF A DRAGON DEPICTED WITH FOUR TOES! The Hongwu Emperor of the Ming Dynasty copied the Yuan Dynasty ruling and decreed that the dragon would be his emblem and that it would have five toes (or claws) The four-clawed dragon was typically for imperial nobility and certain high-ranking officials. The three clawed dragon was used by lower ranks and the general public (widely seen on various Chinese goods in the Ming dynasty). The Long , however, was only for select royalty closely associated with the imperial family, usually in various symbolic colors, while it was a capital offense for anyone other than the emperor himself to ever use the completely gold-colored, five-clawed Long dragon motif. Improper use of claw number and/or colors was considered treason, punishable by execution of the offender’s entire clan. Since most East Asian nations at one point or another were considered Chinese tributaries, they were only allowed four-clawed dragons. A BIT OF HISTORY REGARDING THE CHINESE DRAGON AND A DRAGON CHASING THE WISH GRANTING (, bozh) OR FLAMING PEARL. Further sources give variant lists of the nine animal resemblances. Sinologist Henri Doré lists these characteristics of an authentic dragon: The antlers of a deer. The head of a crocodile. A demon’s eyes. The neck of a snake. A tortoise’s viscera. A hawk’s claws. The palms of a tiger. A cow’s ears. And it hears through its horns, its ears being deprived of all power of hearing. He notes that, Others state it has a rabbit’s eyes, a frog’s belly, a carp’s scales. The anatomy of other legendary creatures, including the chimera and manticore, is similarly amalgamated from fierce animals. Chinese dragons were considered to be physically concise. Of the 117 scales, 81 are of the yang essence (positive) while 36 are of the yin essence (negative). Initially, the dragon was benevolent, wise, and just, but the Buddhists introduced the concept of malevolent influence among some dragons. Just as water destroys, they said, so can some dragons destroy via floods, tidal waves, and storms. They suggested that some of the worst floods were believed to have been the result of a mortal upsetting a dragon. Many pictures of oriental dragons show a flaming pearl. Under their chin or in their claws. The pearl is associated with spiritual energy, wisdom, prosperity, power, immortality, thunder, or the moon. Chinese art often depicts a pair of dragons chasing or fighting over the flaming pearl. Dragons are often depicted as chasing a “pearl” like jewel object. The pearl may be thought of as a metaphor for perfection and enlightenment, particularly if the dragon represents the emperor. The pearl also resembles the moon. As a dragon devours the pearl, less and less of the pearl is seen and the pearl appears as a waning moon. As a dragon disgorges the pearl, more and more of the pearl is seen and the pearl therefore appears as a waxing moon. The dragon and pearl thus symbolize the endless cycle of transformation. Frequently, the “pearl” is shown with flames which symbolizes magical powers and may represent the wish-granting pearl of Buddhism. The pearl can also refer to riches, pure intentions and genius in obscurity. The pearl (flaming pearl) is one of the Eight Treasures. Charms with the pearl symbol may be seen at Eight Treasures, Open Charms, and Auspicious Inscriptions. Chinese dragons are occasionally depicted with bat-like wings growing out of the front limbs , but most do not have wings, as their ability to fly and control rain/water, etc. Are mystical and not seen as a result of their physical attributes. This description accords with the artistic depictions of the dragon down to the present day. The dragon has also acquired an almost unlimited range of supernatural powers. It is said to be able to disguise itself as a silkworm, or become as large as our entire universe. It can fly among the clouds or hide in water (according to the Guanzi). It can form clouds, can turn into water, can change color as an ability to blend in with their surroundings, as an effective form of camouflage or glow in the dark (according to the Shuowe Jiez). I TYPICALLY USE THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE U. WITH THEIR HIGHER INSURABLE LIMITS. I USE THE U. AND IT IS RATHER COSTLY. POSTAL SERVICE, UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OR ME DIRECTLY. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES HAVE LOW VALUE LIMITS. WHICH IS WHY ANY ITEM EXCEEDING THE LIMITATION SET BY U. WILL BE MAILED THROUGH U. CERTAIN COUNTRIES HAVE REGULATIONS LIMITING THE IMPORTATION OF ART, ANTIQUES, WATCHES, ONE OF A KIND ITEMS AND/OR JEWELRY. PLEASE VERIFY THAT YOUR COUNTRY ALLOWS THE IMPORTATION OF THE ITEM YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING. (MYPRIVATEMUSEUM) IS YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, ACCEPTANCE AND AGREEMENT THAT SHALL THEREFOR CONSTITUTE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THIS AGREEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY. THANK YOU, DONAHUE ANTIQUESENTIRE AGREEMENT. I have been in the business for just myself well over 30 years. I began as a young girl working in my grandparent’s store and later for my parents. I’ve had several of my very own stores over these past many years but now with rents out of the realm of reality & my age creeping up on me, I have closed the last of them. I do not & will not sell fakes or new reproductions of anything. All my items are 100% as described & the pictures prove it! Any damage or imperfection is noted and all items are mailed with an invisible ID mark that only I know of. This will eliminate anyone trying to item switch a broken treasure with my perfect piece. I will try to accommodate all requests on 1st come, 1st served daily basis. Everything is very carefully packed as I love my things & want you to enjoy them in the same condition as I have. I hope everything is very plain & simple to understand but do not be shy about asking anything should you require additional info or details. I hope you enjoy each & every item as most are from my private collection assembled over the past 30+ years and have never before been offered for sale. Each piece is very special, of great quality, rare for its’ kind and worthy of any advanced collection. Thank You, Bernice Ellen. The item “TALL ANTIQUE CHINESE EXPORT STERLING SILVER TEAPOT+CREAMER+SUGAR DRAGON TEA SET” is in sale since Thursday, December 08, 2016. This item is in the category “Antiques\Silver\Non-U.S. Silver\Asia”. The seller is “myprivatemuseum” and is located in Pomona, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Composition: Sterling Silver
• Maker: Chinese
• Type: Tea/ Coffee Pots & Sets
• Age: 1850-1899
• Materials: Solid Sterling Silver
• Origin: China
• Special Attributes: Hand Texured Surface
• Design: High Relief Dragon Chasing Flaming Pearl
• Dragon Type: 4 Toed “Imperial”
• Circa: 1890-1910
• Weight Of The Set: 770 Grams
• Consists Of;: 7.25 Inch Tea Pot, 4.5″ Creamer & 4.5″ Sugar Bowl
• Hallmarks: “H.F” & “STERLING”