Gowned in court finery and garlanded in flowers, the Goddess Flora steps into a glade of poppy capsules (?) surrounded by stylized floral borders -- beauty in full bloom! Approximately 18-1/2 inches by 21-1/2 inches and in excellent condition, this superb example of wool-and-silk needlework might once have graced a noble seat-back or fire screen, French, late Seventeenth Century to early Eighteenth Century.

A golden phoenix has flown into a flowering tree and looks into a garden below where a chrysanthemum bush blossoms forth from a mystical rock. The poetry of this scene discloses a hidden reference to the ancient imperial lineage: the fortuitous phoenix, prime creature of the air hovers protectively over the sixteen-petaled chrysanthemum, the kiku, symbol of the Imperial house...

Approximately seven inches by three inches, this handsome repousse and finely cast silver reliquary consists of a hinged frame attached to a rococo handle. The hinged front opens to contain a relic or painting (there is now a mirror.) The tourgha mark of quality is about nine o'clock on the back of the main body, although it is hard to find in the elaborate working of the rococo work.

Elegantly graceful and in beautiful condition, this rare pair of classical sterling silver cups bear hallmarks that indicate that they were created by a Lisbon silversmith at the end of the Eighteenth Century. In crisp condition, the bright-cut engravings depict floral festoons encircling a frontal oval blank (never engraved!) topped by a basket of flowers. Approximately 3-1/4 inches at the widest point and 2-5/8 inches high, they weigh a bit over six ounces Troy.

This early tea bowl (chawan) or noodle cup (soba choko) is decorated in classic style with a single chevron on two sides and stripes and indented spaces on the others. There are gold lacquer repairs to five rim chips and a single crack. Approximately 3-5/8 inches high by 3-1/2 inches wide and deep. Japan, circa 1600.

This handsome 10-1/4-inch plate features a highly romanticized lakeside scene of Pomerania, with two ladies in local costume meeting near a mill. They are accompanied by a lanky dog, clearly not your standard Pomeranian. The borders are finely executed neo-rococo, with roses and lace and pearls. Approximately 10-1/4 inches in diameter, the Piece is in excellent condition and retains an old sticker saying that it came from someone's grandmother in about 1780...

Carved in very rare lustrous huanghuali this holder for joss sticks was fashioned from the heavy and now extinct "silver rosewood" in the form of a sacred lotus blossom, sacred to the Buddha and symbol of transcendental purity rising from the mire below. Approximately seven inches tall and eight inches in diameter at the widest point, it is in excellent condition.

After years of standing in for his sick father, years of impatience and excess, HRH the Prince Regent finally succeeded to the throne with the death of his father, "Mad" King George III, in 1820. This splendid little likeness in gleaming rich ormolu, based on the official -- and quite flattering -- full-length coronation portrait by Sir Thomas Laurence (1821.) With outstanding detail, considering that its full size with plinth is only 3-14 inches! The condition is also remarkable.

A common gift to a Chinese bride as a prayer for sons was representations of boy-children in many materials. (I have never seen one of a girl, but my mother, who always wanted a girl and only produced four sons over a twenty-year period, would have owned a collection!) This fine little fellow, with the Peach of Prosperity in his right hand and a rattle lifted in his other, is carved from softly glowing clam-broth agate, the face and peach bearing a somewhat whiter luster...

Finely carved in lustrous nephrite, soft green with a bluish tone, this figure of the Immortal Hotai shows the chubby god stepping forward, a branch over his shoulder that is ready to blossom into prosperity for its receiver. In superb condition, the figure is approximately 3-1/4 inches tall by 2-1/4 inches wide by 1-1/2 inches deep. Chinese, late Eighteenth Century to early Nineteenth Century.

These two old specimens of the dramatic volcanic conglomerate, septarian nodule, have long been used for display of antique bronzes. Each is approximately 3-1/3 inches in diameter,one about 1-1/4 inches high, the other about 1-5/8 inches high.Both are polished to a soft luster.

Finely carved with billowing scrolls surrounding the sacred mythical Garuda, half human, half eagle and very powerful and protective. India, late Eighteenth to early Nineteenth Centuries. Excellent, as-found condition. They would make a superb -- and protective -- headboard for a bed. Approximately seven inches by 27 inches by 1-1/2 inches in depth.