A handsome silver-plate magnifying glass has been fashioned with an antique Japanese cloisonne pommel as its chief ornament. The design of colorful five-petaled florets it set off against a background of silver foil-backed (gin-bari) transparent scarlet enamel. Of approximately 8-1/2 inch full length, the pommel is about two inches long. Meiji Period, Japan, Nineteenth Century. Excellent condition.

In mint condition, this fine Georgian service unit, an oval platter and original mazarine (strainer plate, bear the hallmark of early Sheffield platers, T. & J. Creswick. Protecting the back of the copper body of the mazarine is a coating of tin that bears the hallmark of T.& J. Creswick. The solid-cast and applied silver border features elegant gadrooning with corners of acanthus leaves and scallop shells. English, ca. 1811. Approximately 16 inches by 12-1/2 inches.

The birdlike character of this handsome and well-balanced walking stick has not been "enhanced" by carving. Its feel is lustrous and attractive and its strength makes it suitable for leisurely strolling or for cracking the skulls of untoward varlets. Approximately 34 inches in length, it is in excellent condition. Nineteenth Century, probably American.

The central part of this extraordinary watch fob consists of graduated handmade chainwork in gold, silver and that special Japanese dark-brown alloy, shakudo. Approximately 4-1/2 inches in length, the elegant item is is excellent, unrepaired condition. Japan, Nineteenth Century.

This excellent specimen of Flemish weaving is made of of several sections of a much larger piece. At the top is the figure of a kneeling angel, below are cascades of verdure with borders on either side. Belgium, Sixteenth Century. The item is pieced and patched, but beautiful and healthy. Approximately 17 1/2 inches wide by 99 inches long.

Quite different in feel from the other tape in our collection (956288), this soft and warm band of red, russet brown, black and white vicuna wool reverses to the same stepped design. It is in very fine, healthy condition, with several holes where it was attached to the main wrappings of the mummy. (It is here that is revealed the original blue-gray color of the black.) Chimu Culture, ca. 1200. 1-1/4 inches wide and approximately 225 inches long.

Its colors still brilliant, this tape was used to bind up a mummy buried in the Andes. The fine stylized pattern repeats on the other side to quite a different effect. Chimu culture, circa 1000 A.D. Approximately 1-1/4 inches wide and 16 feet long.

This elegant Georgian entrée dish of fine Sheffield plate, with cast-silver mounts and overlapped edges, has a cover that can be inverted, without its detachable finial, to serve as another dish. It is in excellent condition, not replated, with the minimal wear normal to a piece of its age. England, circa 1810. Approximately 9-1/4 inches by12-1/4 inches by six inches tall.

Consisting of five elements -- deep warming base, pewter splash guard, primary dish, cover and detachable finial this impressive covered entree dish converts into two service dishes when required. The mechanically applied silver plate is original and shows the wear common to well-cared-for Sheffield plate. The applied cast sterling details and overlapping rims are in excellent condition. Sterling panels for engraving are inset on either side of the cover. Hallmarked with the hand symbol of J...

Classical grace is reflected in this pair of urns, turned to hold spills -- twisted paper "matches" for carrying fire from the hearth, etc., to light candles or a pipe. They are in lustrous lignum vitae, a very hard tropical wood, valued for its beauty and durability. British, approximately seven inches tall and four inches in diameter, they are hand-turned. (Note the variation in the lower details.)

Together for more than a century, these mated gourds were used for generations of the same family in Japan. The gentleman's gourd is approximately 14 inches long and the lady's is about 8-1/2. (The latter one has a fine lacquer repair that shows in the close-up photo. The stoppers are carved persimmon wood, the lady's has a brass ring and a bone ring for hanging the two gourds.

Bearing the hallmarks of noted London silversmith Thomas Chawner, this heavyweight meat skewer was made in 1777. It it is fine condition, with only minor signs of use. Rare today, such skewers are usually displayed on desks as paperweights and letter-openers, rather than for holding a cut of meat in place for dressing it.