A pair of yellow glazed sycees modeled after the traditional "boat" shaped silver ingot that was used as currency during the Qing dynasty. The interior having an incised design resembling a fingerprint and the on the base opposing incised ruyi heads are outlined in underglaze blue. The foot rim is unglazed.

Actual silver sycees were not denominated or made by a central mint and their value was determined by their weight in taels. They were made by individual silversmiths for local exchange, and as such the shape and amount of extra detail on each ingot were highly variable; square and oval shapes were common but "boat", flower, tortoise and others are known. Sycees were not denominated or made by a central mint and their value was determined by their weight in taels. They were made by individual silversmiths for local exchange, and as such the shape and amount of extra detail on each ingot were highly variable; square and oval shapes were common but "boat", flower, tortoise and others are known. Sycee can also refer to gold ingots minted in similar shapes.
清代 Qing Dynasty, 道光 Daoguang Period (1821-1850)
Height:  2" (5.1cm)  Length: 4 7/16" (11.3cm) Width: 2 1/16" (5.2cm)
Provenance: Walter Bareiss Collection, Greenwich, Connecticut, No. 6-8A and 6-8B
Condition: Excellent, an old restoration of rim chips and crack on one.
Please refer to item #MO-674 when inquiring.