A fine example of the work on noted American artist, Frederick McDuff. Born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1931, Frederick McDuff's desire to be a painter brought him to New York City, where he attended for a short time the Art Students League. Finding his greatest inspiration in the Impressionist masters, notably Boudin and Corot, he developed his own vision. In the early 1960's he relocated in Washington, D.C., where he lives and paints today...

If you saw the delightful film "Julie and Julia" you will recall the showing of this bible of French cookery, as great an event as Julia Child's epic "Master the Art of French Cooking" many years later. This landmark tome became and has remained the main reference for professionals and skilled amateurs in the field...

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.

Of excellent manufacture, this pair of sticks in the red-brass alloy termed bell-metal for its enhanced resonant quality is in fine condition, due in part to their hefty construction. English, ca. 1830. Approximately 6-3/8 inches tall and 3-3/8inches in diameter at the base.

Beautiful and practical, this small gem is designed to protect a small pocket watch and to display it on a table or mantle when it is not being carried. The finely carved face, with its delicate design of a branch of edelweiss, opens to reveal the velvet-lined compartment and then folds under to form the footed easel stand. German or Swiss, late Nineteenth Century. Closed approximately 3-3/8 inches long by 1-5/8 inches by one inch high, the height when open is about 3-1/8 inches...

Partially glazed with a radiant copper-green, this rare, nicely detailed cream-ware mould for an individual "oeuf en gelee" dates from the last half of the Eighteenth Century. There are no breaks, chips or repairs and Only some small frits on the inside rim. Approximately 3-1/4 inches by 2-1/2 inches by 1-1/4 inches high.

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.

An elegant little vessel is this gleaming small mortar that was used for grinding small amounts of medicine, etc., probably in a pharmacy or clinic. Its proportions and sturdy construction make it very appealing. French or Italian, circa 1800. Approximately 2-5/8 inches high and 2-3/8 inches in diameter.

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.