A beautifully done Pennsylvania Quaker sampler, featuring three sets of the alphabet, two bushes, an urn of flowers, birds and dogs, and the verse:

Let the most blessed be my guide
If it be his blessed will
Unto his vale into his fold
Up to his holy hill.

The sampler is signed Martha Graham Work Done in her 11th Year 182X...

1800s or earlier

Bronze handle terminates in a symbolic thunderbolt and lower part of the handle is cast in the form of a “makara” (mythical sea creature) whose open mouth and exposed fangs form part of the element for securing the disk-like blade, the upper-side of which is encased in bronze. The handle has a slightly mottled brownish patina with some small areas of verdigris near one end of the part encasing the blade...

Rare complete single bag (small saddlebag or large chanteh) from the Luri-Bakhtiyari tribes of West Persia, last quarter of the 19th Century. This rare weaving measures 19.5" by 17" and is in nearly mint condition, with full pile and complete piled closure system, tassels and original side finishes. All dyes are natural, including a great purple and apricot. Nice flatweave back with patterning in weft wrap technique typical of Luri/Bakhtiyari work.

Beautiful Japanese tama (ball) kanzashi with a pink agate ball above a twin pronged gilt mixed metal pin in the original box with a seal. Taisho period. Length 6 3/4"

A nicely executed, watercolor on paper, small American folk art portrait of a young woman. The subject is wearing a vibrant blue dress, and is holding a book as she sits in a chair beside a table with a vase of flowers. Fine detailing abounds in her jewelry, and the lace accents on her clothing.

The paper has some overall light toning and the painting is in excellent condition, with no creasing, tears, or stains. The cherry frame is period and might be original...

A wonderful and strong American freehand watercolor on paper folk art theorem. Strawberries, apples, cherries, and pears, with their foliage, are depicted in bold colors with a whimsical style. They rest in a large bowl with a light brown tint (not stained).

In contrast to the creasing, heavy foxing and flaws that many examples of this type art have, the overall condition is excellent, with no tears and only a spot or two or discoloration...

A Japanese silver kanzashi (hair pin) with pierced and engraved circular design of peacock, original box with printed seals, Taisho period. Length 6 9/16", 1 1/12" in diameter.

An amazing whimsical game board reverse painted on glass. The checkerboard design is worked in bright shades of lime green and burgundy, the individual squares outlined with borders painted in orange, red, lavender ocher and gray. The board is decorated with ornate flourishes at each corner bearing the names “Agnes”, “Edd”, “Beulah” and “Mother”. The outer edge is painted in burgundy. The overall appearance is very graphic and reminds us of a good patchwork quilt...

Bandori is the local term in the Shonai area for woven straw and indigo fabric back-pads.It is approximately 80+ years of age, dating to the late Meiji Period. Size is 40" long.

Two characters on this Japanese banner are Yoshitsune (Minamoto family) and Noritsune (Taira family). It was towards end of the Genpei War (1180-1185), Yoshitsune (Minamoto family) flying high on the top escaping the attack of Noritsune (Taira family). Yoshitsune was said to hopped eight boats at this scene...

Early 1800s

Dish-shaped stand is set on a rather high foot. The open center of the dish is ringed with a raised collar with the opening designed to accommodate a footed lacquer or ceramic tea bowl. Decorated in the doucai manner with a design of two four-clawed dragons chasing jewels, outlined in underglaze blue. The outlines are then filled in with colored enamels and both the central collar rim and the outer dish rim are gilded with gold enamel...

This is a charming stoneware Japanese bowl censor from 1750. It fits perfectly into the hand carved wooden stand which was probably made for the incense burner around 1900. There are no makers marks on either the bowl on the stand for identification. Covered with a thick matte gray white glaze with iron flecks and decorated solely with 3 button tabs below the rim, the censor is a wonderful early example of Japanese mingei stoneware ceramics.

Rare Rockingham hound handled pitcher with molded scenes of stag and boar hunts and a grapevine design decorating the neck. Attributed to the Salamander Works, Woodbridge, New Jersey, 1840-50...

Charming Rockingham Ware pitcher in the form of a seated dog. American, circa 1860-80.

Provenance: Eveleth/ Summerford Estate, Washington, D.C.

Height: 8.75”

See: Collectors Guide to Yellow Ware, Book III by Lisa McAllister, page 103 for another example of this pitcher.

A 19thC W.R. Loftus, London bronze cup measure. This late 19thC hand-made 2-1/4" bronze measuring cup was made by W.R. Loftus of 146 & 320 Oxford St., London, England. In business from c1860-1940, this company made pewter, beer machinery, bar fittings and also scientific equipment. This tapered cup has a ringed design and it is stamped LOFTUS LONDON 3...

This is a freely painted swatow dish with a pair of mandarin duck and flower spray in the centre of the dish, with tendrils around the shallow cavetto and flowers in cartouches on the rim with diaper boarders. The glaze is opaque, thick, and covers the body and foot. There are sand grits around and inside the base of the foot rim. Cir. Late Ming dynasty, 17th century.

There is no hairline crack, glaze fritting, chip, repair or restoration...

This is an old Japanese silk purse, or a tissue holder in a wallet style with a silver clasp. It is truly a beautiful piece. The detail photos show the intricate weaving pattern, Sagara embroidery (Peking, French knot) and deep color of genuine gold. The light reflects on the silk in such a beautiful way. They bounce between the delicate indentions that were created from the weaving pattern...

Nobori banners, samurai Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, carps, musha ningyo (warrior doll) were all a part of the display used for Boy's Day (renamed to Children's Day) on May 5th in Japan. They reflect the parents’ wish to inspire their sons in manliness, discipline, bravery and the honor codes that are associated with them.

This is an old Japanese nobori banner with Hideyoshi (Toyotomi), retainers, and a streamer in the background. A golden gourd (yellow dye) with small gourds underneath i...