A Superb Gold Earrings & Brooch Set by Leeching with Original Ivory Presentation Box
Guangdong/Canton, China, circa 1850
length of case: 11.8 cm; width of case: 8 cm; width of brooch: 5 cm
The suite comprises a brooch and a pair of pendant earrings by Leeching, a firm of 19th century silver and
goldsmiths based in Canton (Guangdong). Each has a blonde tortoise shell plaque finely carved with flowers in
high relief and surrounded by exceptionally fine twisted gold wire filigree borders. Birds with feathers and
delicate claws, all exquisitely rendered in filigree gold, sit over each earring and a pair of similar birds with a
filigree flower mounted with a single pearl sit on top of the brooch. A pair of snakes borders a floral edging
around the brooch, their tongues being held in the beaks of the birds. Filigree gold tassels in the shape of
flower buds with multiple fine stamens hang beneath the brooch and each earring. The set is presented in the
original ivory presentation box; the lid being carved with Chinese scenes and floral motifs. The box is in mint
condition. It retains its original crimson pink velvet lining and hinges, catch and maker’s mark all in high grade
silver.
References: an almost identical set, minus the pearl on the brooch and with carved tortoise shell inserts
instead of horn and minus the original ivory presentation box but with a replacement box is shown in Kernan, J.,
‘Chinese export silver’, Arts of Asia, May-June 1985. Other similar sets by Leeching but without the original ivory
presentation boxes are in Spink & Son Ltd, ‘The Minor Arts of China II’ catalogue, London 1985, p. 62-3.
Inventory no.: 31
Guangdong/Canton, China, circa 1850
length of case: 11.8 cm; width of case: 8 cm; width of brooch: 5 cm
The suite comprises a brooch and a pair of pendant earrings by Leeching, a firm of 19th century silver and
goldsmiths based in Canton (Guangdong). Each has a blonde tortoise shell plaque finely carved with flowers in
high relief and surrounded by exceptionally fine twisted gold wire filigree borders. Birds with feathers and
delicate claws, all exquisitely rendered in filigree gold, sit over each earring and a pair of similar birds with a
filigree flower mounted with a single pearl sit on top of the brooch. A pair of snakes borders a floral edging
around the brooch, their tongues being held in the beaks of the birds. Filigree gold tassels in the shape of
flower buds with multiple fine stamens hang beneath the brooch and each earring. The set is presented in the
original ivory presentation box; the lid being carved with Chinese scenes and floral motifs. The box is in mint
condition. It retains its original crimson pink velvet lining and hinges, catch and maker’s mark all in high grade
silver.
References: an almost identical set, minus the pearl on the brooch and with carved tortoise shell inserts
instead of horn and minus the original ivory presentation box but with a replacement box is shown in Kernan, J.,
‘Chinese export silver’, Arts of Asia, May-June 1985. Other similar sets by Leeching but without the original ivory
presentation boxes are in Spink & Son Ltd, ‘The Minor Arts of China II’ catalogue, London 1985, p. 62-3.
Inventory no.: 31
