Material: Chinese 900 + Silver
Hallmark: LYH & ideogram
Size: Width, Depth, Height ~ each apx. 2 & ¾ inches
Quantity: 1
A wonderful and highly popular dragon motif decorates this unusual heart shaped antique
Chinese Export Trade Silver pin cushion, c. 1900.
Clear makers mark and chop mark ideogram visible on bottom. We believe maker is
Lee Yee Hing. Items by this silversmith are rather scarce, but known examples have
shown to be of interesting design and obvious excellent quality and construction.
This pin cushion is heart shaped in form, a rather unusual design for trade silver
and elevated on three round ball feet. Two panels encircle the sides, each decorated
with a very elaborate and highly detailed dragon and cloud motif, on a stippled ground.
Interestingly, each dragon is unique and different from the opposing side.
Velvet covered heart shaped pin cushion, which we believe to be original remains,
however it is no longer attached to base. It appears a small amount of some type
of adhesive was used to affix cushion to a paper filler/liner and this adhesive has
dried over time, allowing pieces to separate. We could easily reattach cushion to
liner, but thought buyer might like to view interior and construction. Subsequently,
we will leave this simple fix to purchaser, who may choose to use/display just as
it is.
The pin cushion is in overall very nice antique estate condition, with only one extremely
tiny, very minor bump to bottom edge. Feet remain securely attached. Blue velvet
covering cushion top has likely faded in color over time and it does show some some
marks and brownish stains from pins, but nothing unexpected or unusual for an antique
sewing item..
Per our reference book Chinese Export Silver by Forbes, the fineness or actual silver
content of early trade silver has been found to vary from apx. 800 to 970, with the
American standard being 925 sterling. It is likely that this pin cushion, dating
to the later part of the China Trade, is of a higher silver content, probably close
to, or exceeding the sterling standard.
Certainly an interesting period Chinese silver sewing collectable; very fancy, ornate,
highly decorated and unusual heart shape antique silver pin cushion.
