The so-called Chinese silver is called “ paktong” in Cantonese and “baitong” in Mandarin.It is an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc. No silver is involved. China flooded with it all foreign markets, especially Europe, as far back as 16 century.
German metal workers figured out how to make bright silvery paktong at
the beginning of 19 century. This is why it is often called German Silver or neusilber. It was also called “alpaca”
It is virtually the same as “Melchior” ( Ital), mutilated “maillechort” ( French) after its inventors Maillot and Chorier.
Germans and French predictably still argue about the true European origin of cupronickel, but such nationalistic pride is very commonplace. The only example of scientific generosity I know is syphilis that is called “French disease” all over the world except for France, where it generously call “Italian Disease”.
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