A nice Griffin, Smith & Hill majolica pitcher in the "Wild Rose" pattern. The bulbous sides are decorated with yellow wild rose blossoms and green foliage against a stippled ivory background. The base has a medium-blue basketweave pattern and the lip is finished in a reeded pattern in the same shade. The pitcher has an applied twig handle and a butterfly forms the pouring spout. The interior is pink.

Origin: America, ca. 1875...

A terrific folding paper knife, the body covered in the colorful “Caledonia” tartan. The blade is carved from bone and has a locking mechanism just as any other pocket knife would have. These are sometimes called fruit knives, but I’m reasonably certain they were intended for use as paper knives or letter openers. Tartanware became popular after Queen Victoria caused a rage for all things Scottish through her love of Scotland.

Origin: Scotland, ca. 1860...

Gorgeous and dramatic antique Japanese Satsuma ware lidded container, stands on 3 legs, decorated with three lively fu-dogs, body is decorated with designs of noblemen on one side and children playing on the other, minor repair to one leg, Meiji Period (c. 1880's). Size: 17 1/2" high x 13" wide.

Rare and massive 4-colour (white, blue, black and red) hand painted porcelain Hibachi, top condition, Pine branch tips and Crane motif. This piece has smaller key fret designs encircling the top and the bottom as well as very elegant and decorative diaper patterns. Pre 1920, Japan, size: H. 24cm x 30cm diameter

A small eggshell-thin dish with a decoration of two birds and two fan-shaped panels - one with a landscape, the other with a poem (?), all in a variety of colours, 19th c. Wing of one bird has been painted as to conceal a glaze bubble, an indication of age. Overglaze red marks: Hirado san, Mikawachi. Diameter "5 ½/ 13 cm. Condition: fine.

A very nice pair of Staffordshire spaniels highlighted with gilt decoration. Each dog wears a collar with a padlock and a chain. The muzzles are decorated with pink and black overglaze enamel, and the eyes are set with glass eyes. Both have the whimsical "Joan Crawford" eyebrows. Spaniels with glass eyes, although a bit later than some of the other Staffordshire figures, are difficult to find.

Origin: England, ca. 1890...

A lovely Staffordshire pottery inkwell and quill holder in the form of a swan. The wings are painted vivid shades of pink with black and gilt accents. The bird rests on a colorful "confetti" nest. The hole in the swan's back served as the inkwell, while the two holes in the front were to hold quills. This swan is a particularly colorful example.

Origin: England, ca. 1840. Condition: excellent, no damage. Size: 3" x 2" x 3-1/4".

A nice Staffordshire inkwell or quill holder in the form of a recumbent deer. The naive painted decoration almost makes it look as if she's wearing a little black hat. The doe is posed on a white base molded as a rocky outcropping. The base is highlighted with a burnished gilt line.

Origin: England, ca. 1850. Condition: excellent, no damage. Size: 4-3/4" x 2" x 4".

A nice early Staffordshire pottery child's cup decorated with a transfer scenes of children playing leap frog on one side and "peg top" on the other. The black transfer is highlighted with red overglaze enamel. The cup is accented with a molded foot and a strap handle. Teh glaze has the slight bluish tint found in Staffordshire pottery of this period.

Origin: England, ca. 1850. Condition: normal crackling to glaze, a few small flakes at the rim and two tight hairlines. Size: 2-3/4" tall.

A wonderful Staffordshire pottery cow creamer standing on a oval base. The cow is decorated with rust spots on the white background and the horns are gilt. The oval base is decorated as a grassy outcropping. Cow creamers were very popular in the early 19th century and were produced by a number of potters in Staffodshire, Wales and southern Scotland. This example is from the Staffordshire region.

Origin: England, ca. 1850. Condition: excellent, no damage. Size: 6-3/8" x 3" x 4-3/4".

A delightful Bennington-type yellowware cow creamer with mottled brown glaze. The cow stands on a concave oval base. This example is more nicely potted than some, with good detailing in the ribcage area and a quirky facial expression. These creamers were made in both America and England, but the style of modelling suggests this is an American example. The tail has been reglued nicely, and a professional restorer could make the repair completely invisible.

Origin: America or England, ca...

I have seen weapons such as this one described as everything from ancient Roman, Celtic and Chinese to medieval and on and on. Though I have been unable to find much in the way of references, I am fairly certain that this spear and others like it are ceremonial polearms from the Qing Dynasty. They are most likely 18th or 19th century. They have crudely decorated brass collars between the socket and blade. This one and the three others I have listed are in good condition with no signs of repair...

I have seen weapons such as this one described as everything from ancient Roman, Celtic and Chinese to medieval and on and on. Though I have been unable to find much in the way of references, I am fairly certain that this spear and others like it are ceremonial polearms from the Qing Dynasty. They are most likely 18th or 19th century. They have crudely decorated brass collars between the socket and blade. This one and the three others I have listed are in good condition with no signs of repair...

I have seen weapons such as this one described as everything from ancient Roman, Celtic and Chinese to medieval and on and on. Though I have been unable to find much in the way of references, I am fairly certain that this spear and others like it are ceremonial polearms from the Qing Dynasty. They are most likely 18th or 19th century. They have crudely decorated brass collars between the socket and blade. This one and the three others I have listed are in good condition with no signs of repair...

I have seen weapons such as this one described as everything from ancient Roman, Celtic and Chinese to medieval and on and on. Though I have been unable to find much in the way of references, I am fairly certain that this spear and others like it are ceremonial polearms from the Qing Dynasty. They are most likely 18th or 19th century. They have crudely decorated brass collars between the socket and blade. This one and the three others I have listed are in good condition with no signs of repair...

A marvelous and very rare Victorian patchbox, the body carved from a single piece of ivory and the cut crystal lid enclosing a cameo incrustation (“sulphide”) depicting a pansy. A ribbon tied around the flower’s stem reads “a moi”. This is a clever play on words. The French word for pansy is “pensé”, which is very nearly the same word used to mean “thought”. So, when combined with the words on the ribbon, the sulphide expresses the sentiment “Thoughts of me”. This is ...

A phenomenal Victorian sterling silver soup ladle in Whiting’s “No. 26” pattern. The top of the handle features incredibly detailed peony foliage. The twist stem leads to the fluted and scalloped bowl. At the junction of the bowl and stem, a full-blown peony blossom is delicately engraved into the silver. The bowl is parcel gilt. “No. 26” is an extremely rare pattern. It is always very finely made and exceptionally heavy, even by Whiting’s standards. The pattern is a multi-mot...

A phenomenal Victorian sterling silver cheese scoop in Whiting’s “No. 26” pattern. The tip of the handle features a gorgeous full-blown peony blossom and bud. The twist stem leads to the deeply curled bowl. “No. 26” is an extremely rare pattern. It is always very finely made and exceptionally heavy, even by Whiting’s standards. The pattern is a multi-motif design, so each piece has a slightly different, but related, decoration on the handle. The back is marked with Whiting’s o...