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THBChinese Export Figural Silver Flatware Set 228 pcs
About Seller
4310 Papermill Dr. NW
Knoxville, TN 37909
United States
Case Auctions is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, where our gallery is located, with satellite offices in Nashville, Tennessee and Kingsport, TN – but our reach is worldwide. Established in 2005, we conduct cataloged auctions of investment-quality art and antiques under the stewardship of knowledgeabl...Read more
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About Auction
LiveJan 31, 2026
Live Auction at our Knoxville Gallery featuring 1,300+ lots from fine Southern estates as well as private and museum collections. Sale begins Sat. Jan. 31 at 9 AM EST with lots #1-704 and continues Sun. Feb. 1 at 10 AM EST with lots #705-1313. Be sure to view both catalogs. Case Auctions bid@caseantiques.com
View Full Catalog (702)
- Lot Description
Exceptional Antique Chinese multi-motif .900 Silver flatware set, 228 pieces, service for 12, in fitted canteen drawers. This unusual service, dating from the late 19th to early 20th century, features 12 Chinese "characters" represented in each form (dinner knife, salad fork, etc.) so that each place setting can be made up of pieces all modeled as the same character or a suite comprising different characters. Included are: 24 dinner knives (9 3/4 in. L, stainless blades); 24 dinner forks (8 1/4 in. L); 12 dessert knives (8 in. L, stainless blades); 12 salad or dessert forks (7 in. L, three tines); 12 fish knives (7 7/8 in.L); 12 fish forks (7 1/4 in. L); 12 large tablespoons 8 1/4 in. L); 12 place or Continental soup spoons (7 1/4 in. L); 12 dessert or ice cream spoons (5 3/4 in. L); 12 ice cream forks; 12 teaspoons; 12 small teaspoons or coffee spoons; 12 seafood/oyster forks; 12 seafood picks; 12 knife rests; 1 Fish serving fork; 1 fish serving slice; 1 cake/pastry server; 1 pie server; 1 ice cream server; 1 salad serving fork; 1 salad serving spoon; 3 graduated solid serving spoons; 1 gravy ladle; 1 butter serving knife; 2 small serving knives; 1 small serving fork; 1 small pierced serving spoon; 1 cheese spade; 1 pair ice tongs; 1 pr sugar tongs; 1 roast carving knife; 1 roast carving fork; 1 bone holder (carver's assistant); 2 toothpick holders. Note: The majority of the knife blades are stainless and etched with the name "Thine Seng" - a luxury goods store in Hanoi,Vietnam, operating circa 1930s. Aside from the knife blades (which may be 1930s era replacements), none of the flatware is marked, but the silver XRF tests at or above .900 fineness. The tines and bowls of the forks, bowls of spoons, and most of the bladed serving pieces are solid (.900) silver, but the decorative figural ends are all filled, preventing us from being able to accurately assess the true weight of the silver in this set. The approximate gross combined weight of all items, including items with filled handles but excluding the items with stainless blades (the individual knives and the carving set) is 337.28 oz troy.
Condition
All items overall very good condition with some light use wear. Knife blades may be 1930s era replacements. Some pieces had original gilt elements that now show wear, including the fish knife blades. Note: the Asparagus Fork, mentioned in the original sales receipt, is no longer present, but all other silver pieces are accounted for. The outer case that originally housed these drawers is no longer present, only the drawers. Optional: Drawers may be discarded for shipping. (Drawers not included in the reported weight).
- Provenance
Private Middle Tennessee collection, acquired July 30, 1995 from Butterfields & Butterfields Auction, San Francisco. (A copy of the sales receipt is available to the winning bidder). According to oral history passed along at the time of that sale, this set was one of two sets made in the late 19th-early 20th century by a Chinese silversmith living in the house of an American General and his wife, living in China, for their personal and entertaining use. One of the sets was melted to be used for bullets during a military conflict. This set survived, was brought back to the U.S., and descended to a family in Arizona, before being consigned to auction in San Francisco in 1995.
- Shipping Info
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The UPS Store of Bearden Contact – Joe 865-584-0081 (press 5) fax 865-584-0094 Email: store2630@theupsstore.com Click here to get a quote
The UPS Store of Northshore Knoxville Contact – Eve 865-951-2499 Email: store6461@theupsstore.com
Package Manager (FedEx, USPS, DHL) Offers crate & large freight services Contact – Burak 865-584-3000 Email: info@PackageManager.net
Crate Pros (International Shipping) Contact – Tim 865-217-6121 Email: knoxville@cratepros.net
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- Payment & Auction Policies
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Available payment options
Payment must be received no later than five (5) days after the sale.
If paying with a credit card, a 3.5% credit card processing fee will be applied to the final sales price (i.e. hammer price + buyer's premium + applicable taxes). If you have a credit card on file with Case, any winning bids will be automatically charged (up to $3000) along with applicable fees 72 hours after you receive your invoice unless other arrangements have been made.
If paying with wire transfer, please use the following information:
Bank: Pinnacle Bank
150 Third Avenue South, Suite 900
Nashville, TN 37201
Phone # (865) 766-3000
Swift Code: PNFPUS44
Routing, Transit, ABA: 064008637
Beneficiary: Case Antiques, Inc.
4310 Papermill Drive
Knoxville, TN 37909
Account #: NOT DISCLOSED (please refer to your invoice email for the Deposit Account Number or contact us )
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- Buyer's Premium
