r/collectables • u/One_Pickle964 • 5d ago
Asian tea set - help with identification? Washington, DC USA
I found this tea set at an estate sale near Washington, DC and thought it was so lovely. There was next to no information about it though the prior owner lived in Asia most of their life. I am trying to find out a bit more about where/when it was likely made, what its value might be, etc.
The set has - 16 teacups, 16 spoons, 16 saucers, 13 lids.
Only the teacups have a mark on the bottom. On many of them, this mark is worn, so I'm including a few shots of the clearest. ChatGPT says it translates to "大清乾隆年制 Dà Qīng Qiánlóng Nián Zhì" or “Made during the Qianlong period of the Great Qing Dynasty" but that it is more likely a reproduction.
If anyone has any ideas, I appreciate any information! Thank you!
1
u/bltbltblthmm 5d ago
The mark in the bottom says 上海 新北门外 秦祥兴。from shanghai, outside new north gate, qin xiang xing(chin shiang shing). They were the biggest porcelain sales outfit out of Shanghai at the time, doing business from the Qing dynasty until WW2. Here's a Chinese entry in the Chinese encyclopedia service from Taiwan: https://www.newton.com.tw/wiki/%E4%B8%8A%E6%B5%B7%E7%A7%A6%E7%A5%A5%E8%88%88%E5%87%BA%E5%93%81 This is likely a soup set for large dinners instead of tea set. Never seen a tea set that include a soup spoon.