Catalog: Antiques: Furnishings (16)

An olive wood box, the lid decorated with an oval panel depicting an Italian couple, in the marquetry work typical of Sorrento. Late 19th c or around 1900. On the front is written Bellagio, meaning that the box was sold in this lovely resort by Lake Como as a souvenir. Width "8½/ 22 cm, height "2¾/ 7 cm and depth "6/15,5 cm. Condition: fine, except for the small key which is best left unturned, since it is difficult to maneuvre.

A lidded brass box, made around 1900, Chinese. Small brass medallions with auspicious flowers and birds have been soldered on to the box, and to the front are two enamel and copper medallions with cranes. One medallion is of the shou symbol surrounded by bats. The wooden lining suggests that the box was used for cigars. The back with stamped mark CHINA. Nice format, width "5 ¼ / 13.3 cm, height "2 / 5 cm. Condition: fine.

Oval wooden plaque decorated with a group of Tarantella dancers, in the marquetry work typical of Sorrento, Italy. Originally used as an ornament on the lid of a box, a souvenir of an Italian journey in the late 19th century or around 1900. Width "6¼/ 16 cm, height "4/ 10,5 cm. Condition: some wear (cf pics)

Lobed pewter bowl with an etched scenery of a rocky seascape, Mount Fuji in the background. The surface matted, silvery. Meiji period, c 1900, seal mark to the base. Diameter "6 ¼ / 16 cm. Condition: a black spot to the exterior removed by polishing (cf. pics).

Gilt metal and filigree pill box, the lid with a flowery micro mosaic. Italian, late 19th century. Diameter "1 ¾ / 4.5 and height "1/ 2.5 cm. Condition: some age wear.

A faux tortoise cigar case, inlaid with engraved bronze doré ornaments in the style and manner of Boulle. French, late 19th century. Width "5 ¾ / 14.5 cm. Condition: damage and antique repair (cf. pics).

Japanese cigarette case / tobacco box, lacquer on copper with mother of pearl inlay of flowers and birds to both sides. Made in Nagasaki and exported to Europe, where it was given as a Christmas present in 1867 - dedication and date engraved to the inside of the box lid. Measures: 6 " / 15.2 x 3 " / 7.3 cm, height 2/3 ” / 1.7 cm. Condition: the lid with cracks and some loss to the lacquer.

A tortoise shell and sterling silver inlay cigarette box, the interior cedar wood. The underline of the text with makers mark for Saunders & Shepherd (the firm founded in 1869 and still working), town mark for their Chester branch and L for 1894. Measures "4 / 10.3 cm x "4 / 10 x "2/ 5 cm. Condition: slight warping to the corners of the lid (cf. pics).

Lignum vitae seal box with screw thread, complete with lacquer seal and – most unusual – the corresponding agate intaglio ringstone with a family crest. Georgian, c 1810-20, with the seal engraver’s label, H. Lowe of Lambs Conduit, London. Diameter "1¼ / 3.3 cm. Condition: a dent to the border of the lid (the screw thread still works).

An 18th century cashier’s fob seal / stamp, made of steel with an engraved beehive surrounded by keys. This pictograph tells you to keep your fingers away: in the emblem books of the time the beehive used to be accompanied by a Latin sentence meaning “not for you”. The fob model as such is typically English. Width "4/5 / 2.1 cm and height "1 / 2.5 cm. Condition: fine. Price: $140, including worldwide registered / trackable shipping

A wall plaque with dancing putti and flower garlands, possibly depicting Spring in a suite of the four seasons. Plaster, patinated and polished to look like terracotta, possibly English around 1800, likely a Grand Tour souvenir. Unmarked, the back with two copper rings for hanging. Width "11/ 28 and height "5 ½ / 14 cm. Condition: a few glaze flakes to the left side (cf. pics).

A large lacquered papier maché table snuff box made in Braunschweig (Brunswick), Germany. The lid with a portrait of an old man, a prophet. Early 19th century, probably by Stockmann, unsigned. Diameter "4½/ 11 cm, height "1½/ 4 cm. Condition: a chip to the inner rim of the box, as seen on photo.

An early 19th century box, probably an eyeglass case. Made of cardboard, the top decorated with a pearl embroidered flower and owner’s initials in wool, all surrounded by gilt paper ribbons, so-called Dresden trims. Germany, c 1830-40. Width 6"/ 15.5 cm, height 1 ½" / 3.5 cm. A pair of antique eyglasses, damaged, to go with the box. Condition: wear consistent with age, the interior reinforced with a paper strip. Price: $80, including worldwide SH

An early 19th century lacquered papier maché snuff box. Germany (Brunswick), Stockmann type, the inside of the lid with impressed maker’s mark M.A.A. On the lid a “portrait” of a lady generously décolleté, with a tiara and pearl necklace, an opulent and luxurious mock fiancé that many a gentleman of the period liked to show his friends when bringing out his snuff box. Diameter "3½/ 9 cm, height "¾ / 2 cm. Condition: small damage to the lady’s neck (cf. photos), otherwise fine.

Rose quartz carnelian seal fob / stamp: an intaglio of three fleurs de lys under a royal crown, the French pre-revolutionary official seal, c 1790 or earlier. Width "4/5/ 2 cm. Condition: fine.

Small table snuff box made of lacquered papier-maché, the glass lid with reverse engraved and painted decoration. Inside is a shell and two strands of hair. There is no lock; the snuff box was intended not to be carried around in a pocket, but to be placed on a shelf or a table where it displayed well. Probably Scandinavian, made around 1800 or earlier, unusual. Diameter 2" / 5 cm, height ¾ "/ 2 cm. Condition: the mirror glass cracked, wear consistent with age (cf pics).