Profusely carved with stylized flowers and hearts, this superb wooden snuff box was created in Wales in the Eighteenth Century. In splendid condition, it measure abou four inches long, 1-1/2 inches high and 1-1/4 inches wide.

Dating from around 1875, this fine porcelain brush vase retains its Communist Government seal on the bottom, releasing for sale as antique. Gold-highlighted enamels depict a young man scaling a wall and pushing away willow branches to interrupt two ladies playing checkers in a garden, probably a scene from a popular play. The piece is approximately 4-3/4 inches tall and three inches in diameter, and is in pristine condition, with only normal wear to the gilding.

Of superb quality and in excellent condition is this French desk ornament that opens to reveal an ink pot, sander, two seal pots and four quill stands, with their removable rack. Including the rouge royale marble base, the finely detailed piece of circa 1800 is about six inches tall and of 4-3/4-inch diameter. An elegant addition to a classical setting.

This superb Italian Renaissance ormolu monstrance frame is in the form of a starburst with a winged angel head at the base on either side. Dating from the third quarter of the Sixteenth Century, it measures approximately 6-1/4 inches high by seven inches wide, exclusive of its modern marble base.

On a very simple covered cylinder of highly polished bone are engraved in minute detail a couple of face cards and replicas of the contents: six bone dice. Japanese, late Nineteenth Century or early Twentieth, the little set is in mint condition and measures about 1-5/8 inches high and 1-1/4 inches in diameter.

In unusually fine state of preservation, this handsome French country snuff box is formed of blond horn studded and bound with brass. Engraved with stylized designs of birds and flowers and highlighted with deep yellow stain and inlaid red enamel, this fine folk art piece dates from the mid-Nineteenth Century and measures approximately 4-1/8 inches by 2-3/4 inches and 7/8 of an inch deep. (For a charmingly time-worn example, see Trocadero item 418544.)

Hand-fashioned in the Nineteenth Century for ceremonial food service, this Chinese sweetmeats box is in the form of a brilliant acid green melon, the glaze skillfully powdered on to create a natural "orange-skin" texture and depth of color. (Photographically illusive, the color is more intense than shown.) The compartmented interior is glazed in rich turquoise...

In glowing, lustrous cinnabar lacquer, this elegant temple table has two drawers, lacquered black within, that slide all the way through. They are decorated with raised cloud-form plaques in all four fronts; this motif is repeated on the sides of the table. Fine carved diaper patterns adorn the sweeping legs and edges of the top. The piece measures approximately 35-3/4 inches by 23-1/4 inches by 29-3/4 inches high. There are few small flaws and those only minor. Japanese, Meiji Period.

The finest Etruscan bronzes I have owned in 50 years of collecting, this extraordinarily pair of belt hooks are in the form of Lasa, the winged “angel” attendant of Turan, the Etruscan equivalent of Aphrodite, goddess of love, particularly appropriate for this time of year. Dressed in a full-length chiton, the goddess presses her right hand to her heart and raised her left in the age-old sign of testament...

Two extraordinay beauties in Sienese Renaissance costumes are depicted in these highly detailed ivory chess figures. Both are about 4-1/4 inches in height, 1-3/4 wide and 7/8 of an inch deep. For stability they have been lightly attached to clear plastic plinthes. They are in excellent patinated condition. Italian, circa 1600.

Not having found a similar example, I do not know if this mustard pot is American, English or Continental. The glass body, with its design of stylized scallop shells, is formed in a three-part mould, and the hinged pewter top is of good weight and secure. It probably dates from the mid-Nineteenth Century and is about four inches tall, 2-1/2 inches in diameter, with a stemmed base about 1-3/4 inches in diameter.

In an unusually fine state of preservation, this finely detailed sculpture is in the Sino-Tibetan tradition, revealing the Buddha seated in meditation (dhyanasana) on a double-lotus plinth with his hands in the dhyanamudra gesture and holding the image of a crenelated pagoda...