Sincere & Co Antique Chinese Export Solid Silver Figural Tea Spoons Set - Hong Kong / Shanghai

A fine set of six antique Chinese Export solid silver teaspoons, made circa 1900 by Sincere & Co, a renowned silversmith with establishments in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Each spoon is hand-crafted, featuring a bamboo-patterned handle, with the finial depicting a Mandarin scholar in traditional Imperial Qing attire - complete with a court hat, bead necklace, holding a ruyi sceptre, and wearing the distinctive long plait (queue). Each piece bears the silver marks of Sincere & Co. Sincere & Co, now known as The Sincere Company Ltd, operates one of the oldest department store chains in Hong Kong (Chinese: 先施百貨) and was the first Chinese-owned department store in China. It was founded by Ma Ying-piu. Prior to 1949, its largest operation was in Shanghai. Along with Wing On (which still operates in Hong Kong), Sun Sun (新新公司, 1926-1951), and Da Sun (大新公司), Sincere was regarded as one of the "Four Great Department Stores" of Shanghai - and, by extension, of China as a whole. Hallmarks: Chinese Export marks, Silver fineness 850, Maker Sincere & Co.