Dealer Esme Parish.
After more than 40 years in the trade Parish is selling her collection via a timed online auction held by Hotlotz. Here she discusses her career and its highlights.
ATG: You spent a decade in banking, what then pulled you across to dealing full-time?
Esme Parish: It was a great chance to combine a hobby and business. I was looking for sterling silver !atware and realised I could source Victorian hallmarked sets for much less than Christo!e plated sets.
Four young children meant I could also have !exible hours and less travelling.
While waiting for the few people to come and buy I started selling photo frames and then antiques. At one point I thought Asia would sink under silver photo frames but that was fine by me.
For a time, I had a Tupperware-type network. I set up ladies all over Asia and even the Middle East to sell for me – everybody made money and had fun.
What is it about Chinese Export silver that you enjoy so much?
Chinese Export silver is special: the craftsmanship, the attention to detail, the fun pieces you find when you realise directions might have not been understood. I once found a round ball-shaped tea caddy which had chicken feet coming off the base. Presumably the person asking for the caddy wanted it to be on feet and the silversmith obliged.
So many of the pieces are specially commissioned – for a wedding or a christening or another special event. One has to try to work out the who, the where and the why.
Also there is the fact that export silver is limited – it was an era now long gone. We will never see this level of craftsmanship again. I find even getting things properly repaired difficult.
Among the highlights from Fine Silver: The Esme Parish Collection at Hotlotz, ending on October 4 is this Chinese export silver bowl, On Hing, 19th century, 29.5cm diameter, 16cm high, 1.36kg, estimate Sin$10,000-15,000.
What has changed most in the Asian silver trade since you started, in terms of who’s buying, and why?
When I started more than 40 years ago it was mainly expat wives with money and time on their hands.
As I moved more into antiques then my clients changed.
Hong Kong became my big market, selling via Hong Kong into Mainland China. Over the past few years this trade has reduced. Covid made me get much more involved in digital marketing and upgrade my website. No more touchy-feely sales but shopping on the internet.
Is there a piece that got away, one you wish you’d bought, or one you sold too early and regret?
I almost got a fabulous standing cup. Just an extra £100 and it could have been mine… maybe!
Definitely I should have kept some special pieces over the years. You always think you will find another one but you never do!
Why have you decided to move on from the trade now?
Maturity – never say old! Selling silver via exhibitions and shows is hard physical work and I wasn’t enjoying it so much anymore. It’s time to say goodbye to what was a pretty full-time activity.
You could do many things with your stock including various ways of selling it. Why did you choose a public auction?
Hotlotz has gained a good reputation in the last few years. I have every confidence this is the way I should sell my collection – and this type of event has more impact.
Among the highlights from Fine Silver: The Esme Parish Collection at Hotlotz, ending on October 4 is this Chinese export silver twin-handled tray, late 19th century, estimate Sin$4000-6000, 58cm wide over handles, 1.4kg.
What are you going to do next?
I am hoping to keep up my interest but on a more bespoke basis – if someone wants a special bowl with an unusual motif…
And I have loads of grandchildren scattered around the world!
Dealers often say they are retiring but still seem to be trading some years later. Do you think that will happen to you?
See above. It will be hard to resist looking for that extra-special silver piece.
What’s been the more important to you during your decades of dealing: the items themselves or the people you have met?
Definitely the people I have met: private lunches overlooking Aberdeen, drinks with famous people, meeting so many learned experts. I would never have met people like that if I hadn’t got involved in the silver business.
Among the highlights from Fine Silver: The Esme Parish Collection at Hotlotz, ending on October 4 is this Chinese export silver three-piece silver tea service and tongs, late 19th century, by Wang Hing, Hong Kong, the sugar tongs by Hung Ching & Co, 18cm high including handle, 893g. Estimate Sin$3000-5000.
