An early 20^th century Chinese Export silver three-piece coffee service, Shanghai circa 1930 retailed by Nanking Store

Comprising a coffee pot, a milk jug and a twin handled covered sugar bowl. The coffee pot of baluster form upon a rounded foot, the bamboo modelled curved spout opposite a bamboo modelled scroll handle fitted with ivory insulators pinned to sockets. The hinged (pin deficient) domed lid surmounted by a detachable finial modelled as bamboo. The body with embossed decoration of bamboo pattern against a matted ground, a central circular cartouche engraved with initials TE. The lid with flat chased bamboo leaves. The milk and sugar with gilt interiors. Each marked underneath NANKING STORE, SILVER, the milk and sugar with artisan mark possibly 金記 (JIN JI), the coffee pot with artisan mark only 金 (JIN). (3)

Coffee pot height – 21.2 cm / 8.25 inches

Weight – 1096 grams / 35.24 ozt

The initials are for Toku Emery née Narabe (born 20^th May 1903 in Tokishima, Japan, died 30^th November 1957) who worked as an interpreter. Percy Alfred Emery (born 19^th Feb 1895 in Montreal Canada, died 23^rd June 1967) came to Great Britain in the early 1920’s and lived at 325 Long Lane, Bexleyheath, Kent. Percy was a policeman and went to China, believed to be Shanghai, where he met Toku and were married around 1933, after which they moved to Singapore.

During the Singapore occupation 1942-45, Percy was sent to Changi jail but unlike military personnel, he was left outside in the compound to face the elements but were able to grow some vegetables. Toku is believed to have worked in a hospital as a translator, she buried the family possessions including the silverware during these times, recovering items to sell for food or brides as necessary. They survived, came to Great Britain and returned to the home of Percy’s parents, this bungalow was decorated in traditional Asian style (wooden floors, silk hangings, carved screens, low furniture). They died without issue, but bequeathed the silverware to close family friends of Percy’s, thence by descent.

We are grateful to the descendants of the bequeathed for providing us this most necessary information held behind the initials TE.

Ivory declaration: EUND3WEH