Leeching Gold Filigree Brooch Earring Set, Export Chinese Gold

A Superb Gold Earrings & Brooch Set by Leeching with Original Ivory Presentation Box

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 an ivory 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. The gold employed in such pieces by Leeching typically is all 22 carat.

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.

Leeching was a silversmith and jewellery firm that operated from the early 1840s to the 1880s at various locations in Guangdong (Canton) such as East Street, Sai Hing Kai and Club Street in Guangzhou, and 24A Queens Road in Hong Kong. There also an outlet in Nanking Road, Shanghai. It enjoyed an excellent reputation for producing the finest items of export gold jewellery work and items in silver.

Acquired from the antiques market, Sydney, Australia.

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; and in Kernan, J.D., The Chait Collection of Chinese Export Silver, Ralph M. Chait Galleries, 1985, p. 116. 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.