Chinese Export Silver & Far East Trade Information

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The first electro-plating shop in Japan was opened at Mita, Tokyo, in 1887, and for a number of years it had to contend against great odds, but recently it may be said to have taken root. The Japanese electro-platers, however, are placed in a disadvantageous position in contrast to their western confreres, the art being kept secret in the west, and there being no Japanese electricians who can teach them on the subject beyond broad theories contained in books, and even these not up to date. There are at present some 200 electroplating shops in the city of Tokio, but of these there are only one or two where the business is carried on on a large scale, the others undertaking the work merely as jobs. Nickel plating is most in demand and more profitable compared with gold and silver.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 11th October 1899

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RAINBOW RATAN Co. Inc.

Hong Kong and New York


Rainbow Ratan Jewelry - Hong Kong - 2015


Rainbow Ratan Co. Inc., was established in 1985 by Madan Soni. The firm manufacture 10K, 14K, and 18K Jewelry at their factory in the Panyu District of Gunagzhou, China.



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Japanese Lapping Machines for Russia

The Japanese Government Information Service reports that 14 lapping machines worth a total of £12,000 for polishing and finishing precious stones are to be delivered to the Soviet Union in December by Iijima Optical Machine Co., of Fujisawa.

Source: Jeweller & Metalworker - 1st October 1962

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CUM WO

Queen's Road, Hong Kong


An example of the work and mark of Cum Wo:













Cum Wo's working period is thought to be from c.1860 until c.1920

See: http://www.925-1000.com/chinex_marks.html

and: http://www.925-1000.com/ch_CW.html

See also: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=24259&p=199173#p199173

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In Shantung, China, there is reported to be an unlimited demand for cheap watches and clocks. A German report gives it that the importation of watches into China increased from 16.029 during 1895 to 37,220 in 1896. Beside watches in running order, several firms in Shanghai import large quantities of parts of watches, which they put together themselves after importation, and as these are entered free of duty there is really very little opportunity to estimate the volume of this trade by the customs statistics. German watches are being driven from the market by American watches.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 3rd August 1898

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NETHERLANDS-JAVA

The French Consul at Batavia states that, speaking generally, Batavia and other towns in Java offer a fair market for the sale of jewellery, goldsmith's wares of different kinds, clocks and watches, &c. Articles of gold of ordinary use are of 14 carats fineness, and articles de luxe of 18 carats.

The following list of dealers who would be ready to enter into relations with European exporters is given by the French Consul under reserve :—

At Batavia:

Van Arcken & Cie, Ryswyk 20 74
Mayr & Cie, Noordwyk, 14/413
V. Olistaeger, Ryswyk
A. Coureur, Ryswyk
G. Steurvald, Ryswyk, 20/407


At Samarang:

H. W. Myer Hillerstrom
F. M. Ohlenroth

Source: Board of Trade Journal - 23rd August 1900

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FRANK CHAN - TIN WO & Co.

San Francisco


Frank Chan, San Francisco Jeweler, Tells of Present-Day Conditions in China

San Francisco, Cal., July 12.—Residents of San Francisco's Chinatown are celebrating the return of one of their prominent members, Frank Chan, who just arrived in San Francisco after an extended trip to the Orient.

Mr. Chan reports that although the main purpose of his trip was for business he had a very enjoyable visit in China and also a pleasant voyage both on the out-bound and return journey, the latter being made via Victoria on the new Canadian Pacific liner.

Mr. Chan was absent from his home city about four months, which was not as long an interval as he had originally planned, it being necessary for him to return to the United States as he found that the Civil War in China between North and South had handicapped business with our country considerably, especially in the money and exchange markets.

The cost of living in China at present is very high, due to the fact that rice, which is used as a substitute for bread, is now commanding a very high price because of the scarcity. Rice is now being exported to China from California. Another reason for the increased living costs is that many commodities have advanced in price because of the fact that the union labor movement, which was recently introduced in China, has become generally adopted and most of the working classes are now receiving higher wages than heretofore.

In addition to his connection with the local Chinese jewelry concern, Tin Wo & Co., Mr. Chan acts as foreign representative for the largest wholesale jewelry concern on the Pacific Coast and during his trip made arrangements for various shipments to be made from the United States to China as well as importation to the United States of Chinese merchandise such as jade and the new, fascinating Chinese game called "Ma Jong." Concerning the new game, he reports that upon leaving China, he found that few of the passengers on the Empress had a knowledge of the game, but prior to the time the steamer arrived at Victoria, nearly everyone aboard had become ardent Ma Jong fans, and in fact passengers of all classes spent day and night playing the popular game.

The Chinese traveler reports that at present there is a great shortage of jade owing to the fact all the jade mines are centered near districts in which the North and South armies are fighting at present. Due to war conditions, the price of jade has advanced recently over 35 per cent above the prices in effect during the past year.

Mr. Chan has expressed himself as being very glad to return to the Golden State and also to greet his family as well as his business associates. He states further that he is trying to arrange his plans so that it will not be necessary for him to make another trans-Pacific voyage for at least six months.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 19th July 1922

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TOMIKI, SHOBEI

Nagoya


An example of the work and mark of Tomiki Shobei:





Tomiki, Shobei exhibited the following at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904: Flower vases, Cigar box, Book shelf, Flower plate, Pot, Hand box, Censers.



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ELIAS LAVINE

Batavia, Java


Elias Lavine, one of the largest jewelry and silverware merchants in Batavia, Java, is visiting the United States, combining a business and pleasure trip, and will spend a month in San Francisco.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 7th August 1918

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WHISKYBOY

17, Aioicho Itchome, Yokohama



The following card of a Yokohama, Japan, jewelry man reads as if its writer had followed the injunction contained in the final sentence. But its main interest comes from the illustration of how Japanese tradesmen endeavor to assimilate modern methods of their Occidental brothers.

JEWELRY MAKER

A finest in town. Whiskyboy, No. 17 Aioicho Itchome. Show this card to Jinrikshaman. Our shop is best and obliging worker that has everybody known, and having articles genuine Japanese Crystals and all kinds of Curios. Gold or silver plate in electro-plate or plain mending. Carving in Laid, work own name or monograms or any design according to orders we can work how much difficult Job with lowest prices insure, please try, once try. Don’t forget name Whisky!

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 15th May 1901

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A custom of the silverware trade of China deserves mention. In selling their goods the Chinese silversmiths give the weight in silver, its fineness and its value as bullion, and then as a separate item the cost of the workmanship. Thus one day in purchasing a pair of corded bracelets the writer’s bill ran as follows;

Silver, 4½oz. 85 percent, fine. . ..$4 20 Mex.
.........................Workmanship 2 15
........................................$6 35 Mex.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 23rd November 1892

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The Japan Weekly Mail announces that the committee recently appointed upon the question of a national exhibition in Japan have decided that it shall be held in Tokyo in 1912, and that it shall be a dual affair, part foreign and part domestic. The estimated cost is $5,000,000, one-half of which will be contributed by the government. There will be 15 principal halls and sundry smaller buildings, covering about 30 acres of the 250 acres allotted as a site.

Source: The Jewelers Circular - 7th November 1906

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WONG KAI KAH

Shanghai


Indianapolis

After a sojourn of almost two years in this city, Wong Kai Kah and family have returned to their home in Shanghai. Mr. Wong represented the Chinese Empire at the St. Louis Exposition. The distinguished Chinaman made many friends, not only in Indianapolis but in America. The Wong home was full of rare art treasures and many beautiful and rare jewels and artistic pieces of jewelry were worn by Mr. Wong and his wife. Wishing to take a number of presents to his Chinese friends and relatives, Mr. Wong placed an order with the diamond house of J. C. Sipe for gifts amounting to over $6,000. A necklace of opals and diamonds, with earrings to match, were chosen for the Empress Dowager. Rings, gold pocket knives, all set with diamonds, and opera glasses were the principal articles chosen. Most of the rings contained opals.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 15th February 1905

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K.T. KITADE

Osaka


Among the members of the “Asahi” round-the-world touring party of prominent Japanese who were in this city last week were K. T. Kitade, a jeweler of Osaka, and Mr. and Mrs. Y. Hori. Mr. Hori is also a jeweler in the same Japanese city. The party sailed on the White Star liner Cedric for Liverpool, Eng., last Thursday.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 29th April 1908

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MATSUMOTO JUTARO

Osaka


Mr. Matsumoto Jutaro, a well-to-do merchant of Osaka, with the assistance of several others, has established a factory with a capital of yen 50,000, for the purpose of manufacturing imitations of foreign goods imported into Japan, with the view of supplanting the foreigners’ trade.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - February 1889

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TOM'S SILVER

Jl. Ngeksigondo 60, Prenggan, Kotagede, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55172, Indonesia





An example of the work and mark of Tom's Silver:




TOM 838

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MU

Yogyakarta, Indonesia


An example of the work and mark of the as yet unidentified silversmith 'MU':


















MU 835

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WORLD'S FAIR - CHICAGO - 1893

A Stroll Among Japanese Art Works

Crosses and mantel ornaments of cut crystal and a line of crystal and Japanese agate cuff buttons are among the curios of this section of the Manufactures building.

A silver plated wedding or banquet set in the exhibit of T. Otsuka in the Kaga and Yokohama room has a base 4 feet long by 18 inches wide at the center and some 3 inches deep. It rests on ten scroll legs, 2 inches high. In the center a gold lined bowl 6 inches deep and 12 across, with
chrysanthemum flower and leaf decoration on the side overlying a gold background, has around the base an inch band of the same flowers in colored enamels. The bowl is supported on eight scroll legs, extending outward several inches beyond the circumference of the bowl. On projecting scrolls on the legs, eight birds, distinctive of Japanese bird life, stand in different postures. As side pieces at either end are two storks 10 inches in height with bright silver plumage on the bodies, black tails, bronzed legs, peacock finished necks, oxidized heads and polished beaks. These stand upon mountains of peacock silver of brilliant colorings. Two artistic flower vases with silver stands and four three-light candelabra of bright, oxidized and peacock silver and enameled bands constitute the set. Peacock tints prevail throughout the set.

An interesting case in Japanese silver work has sparrows in bronze finished silver on shocks of grain with gold kernels ; an oxidized stork wading in a stream of running water ; a carved crysanthemum bowl of rare beauty ; a wooden barrel six inches long by five in diameter on a silver stand four inches high, and on top of the barrel a silver rooster six inches high with gilt beak and legs—a finely executed piece of work ; and some two dozen bright silver souvenir spoons with crysanthemum flowers as the chief ornamentation on handles, and bowls engraved with birds, butterflies and flowers peculiar to that country.

There are many beautiful things in Japanese art work as it relates to jewelry lines, but though of marked beauty and originality they are so foreign to anything seen in this country, that they are to be regarded more in the light of curios than as articles of commercial value to Americans.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 16th August 1893

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SIAM'S JEWELRY IMPORTS AND INDUSTRY

[Vice Consul Carl C. Hansen, Bangkok.]

During the fiscal year 1916 Siam's imports of gold and silversmith's work showed considerable decline, but for the succeeding fiscal year ended March 31, 1917, the figures reached about the usual level, namely, $168,246 worth of gold and silver and plated ware, $40,344 worth of mounted and $228,982 worth of unmounted precious stones, while the amounts for the corresponding period of the preceding year were $66,732, $34,074, and $275,636, respectively.

During 1916 there was, however, a reexport of $7,851 worth of silver and gold ware, and of $229,463 worth of precious stones, while for 1917 the reexports amounted to $61,176 in gold and silver ware and $85,486 in precious stones. It is understood that these reexports arise from the fact that certain European jewelry houses send out travelers with large stocks, from which buyers select what they need and the remainder is carried by the salesman to the next stopping place, the duty being remitted on the goods reexported. For the last two years the bulk of the jewelry imports into this country has come from the United Kingdom and dependencies, whereas previous to that the continental European countries were the leading suppliers. The United States contributed $27 worth in 1916 and $1,685 worth in 1917. The small share of American manufacturers in the jewelry imports appears to be due to the fact that their representatives do not visit Bangkok, and not to any prejudice against American jewelry, as a local merchant recently stated that a consignment of jewelry which he received from the United States during last year was sold out immediately after its arrival.

Local Production of Jewelry

Considerable quantities of artistic ornaments are made yearly by the Siamese, Chinese, and Burmese workers in gold, silver, and precious stones throughout the country. Among the poorest classes there is a demand for finger rings, bracelets, anklets, hairpins, earrings, belts, and other personal adornments. Formerly auspicious or lucky rings were much valued, and of these the most interesting is an exquisitely enameled gold ring, studded with nine different gems representing the nine gardian planets, and the stones selected for this purpose usually were the diamond, ruby, sapphire, pearl, topaz, hyacind, garnet, moonstone, and catseye. A gold ring in the form of a coiled serpent or naga, the watcher over hidden treasures, was also popular. A continental European firm did a lucrative business for many years in making Siamese jewelry locally, and now a British company is about to establish a factory in Bangkok for the production of such jewelry and gold and silver ware as the market in Siam and throughout the Far East especially demands. The factory will be under the supervision of experienced British workmen, and skilled Chinese, Siamese, and Burmese goldsmiths will be employed. A valuable site has been secured for the erection of a four-story building for workshops and spacious show rooms. According to the prospectus issued by this company it will also take over the interests and handle the products of British manufacturers of all classes of jewelry, watches, clocks, scientific instruments, gold and silver ware, precious stones, pearls, and glassware. In addition the firm will represent one of the largest British manufacturers of motor accessories. From these activities the company, which has been formed with a capital of £20,300 ($98,790), expects to make a net profit of not less than £7,000 ($34,065) per annum.

Source: Commerce Reports - 27th February 1918

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YENJIXING

Swatow/Shantou


An example of the work and mark of YenJiXing:








Member denmarkhill wrote:

吉興 JiXing ( = YenJiXing 顏吉興, maker, based in 汕頭 Swatow/Shantou )

點銅 DianTong ( Although "Tong" alone means "copper", this term actually means "pewter"; some items made by JixXing are marked also in English so it's clear)

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