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Ceramics (83)
American, English, French, German, Low Countries, Eastern Europe, Chinese Export
Folk Art (3)
Glass (80)
American, Bohemian, English, French
Enamel (7)
Minerals (1)
Hardstone
Metals (284)
Brass, Bronze, Copper, Iron, Silver
Textiles (1)
Rugs
Organics (21)
Ivory, Lacquer, Wood
Guest Book
Sales Policy
Special Items From Our Collection
(11)
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Boucheron 18K Gold, Diamond & Emerald Cocktail Ring |
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Barry Kieselstein-Cord 18K Yellow Gold Scroll Earrings |
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19th Century French Silver Napoleon I Tastevin
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Antiques:
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Silver:
Continental:
Pre 1900 item# 1094774
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Kensington House Antiques
(301)942-0955
SOLD, PLEASE VISIT US AGAIN!
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A fine mid-19th century French silver tastevin (wine taster), the base inset with an 1810 Italian silver coin from the reign of Emperor Napoleon I as King of Italy. The bottom edge of the bowl is decorated with curved, scalloped "godrons" which were intended to reflect light through white wine to judge clarity. This tastevin does not have the "cupules" ("ovoides") specifically intended to deepen the color of red wines. The sides are decorated with grapevines and clusters of fruit. The handle is formed as a coiled serpent--as style particularly popular in Burgundy. The whole is raised on a circular ropetwist foot. Napoleonic coins are rarely seen in tastevins, and this piece probably dates to the Second Empire when Napoleonic items were viewed with some nostalgia. Fully hallmarked.Origin: France, ca. 1850. Condition: excellent, sharp detail. Size: 3" diameter excluding handle. Weight: 72.3 grams.
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Imperial Russian Tsar Nicholas II Coronation Blood Cup
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Antiques:
Decorative Art:
Enamel:
Pre 1900 item# 1087369
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Kensington House Antiques
(301)942-0955
$850
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A rare enameled beaker made as a souvenir of the 1896 coronation of Imperial Russia’s last monarchs, Czar Nicholas II and Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna. One side of the beaker features the Imperial double-headed eagle and the reverse shows the Imperial cipher. The remainder of the body is decorated with traditional Russian strapwork. The beakers were to be given away to the public on the Khodinka field in Moscow. When the gates were opened, there was a great rush to get to the cups, and hundreds of people were trampled to death. Shortly after, the cup became known as the “Blood Cup” or “Cup of Sorrows”. The incident was thought at the time to be a bad omen for the future of the Imperial couple—an estimation that proved unfortunately correct. These beakers are often in very bad condition, but this one is excellent, with just a small enamel nick on the rim and light rust staining in small spots on the inside bottom.Origin: Russia, 1896. Size: 4-1/8" tall.
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Sperm Whale Silhouette Sheet Iron Weathervane
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Antiques:
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Iron:
Pre 1910 item# 1085795
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Kensington House Antiques
(301)942-0955
$450
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A wonderful late 19th or very early 20th century sheet iron weathervane in the form of a sperm whale silhouette. The vane is hand sawn and retains its old coat of oxidized green paint (may be original, but appears to be a second coat). One side still has its black painted eye. The silhouette is attached to its original copper mounting pole. Found in Maine.Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: very good, old paint, light rust spotting around edges, welding of mounting pole showing some separating. Size: 15” x 8-1/2” (including pole).
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Imperial Russian Tsar Nicholas II Coronation Blood Cup
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Decorative Art:
Enamel:
Pre 1900 item# 1085766
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click for details
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Kensington House Antiques
(301)942-0955
$825
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A rare enameled beaker made as a souvenir of the 1896 coronation of Imperial Russia’s last monarchs, Czar Nicholas II and Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna. One side of the beaker features the Imperial double-headed eagle and the reverse shows the Imperial cipher. The remainder of the body is decorated with traditional Russian strapwork. The beakers were to be given away to the public on the Khodinka field in Moscow. When the gates were opened, there was a great rush to get to the cups, and hundreds of people were trampled to death. Shortly after, the cup became known as the “Blood Cup” or “Cup of Sorrows”. The incident was thought at the time to be a bad omen for the future of the Imperial couple—an estimation that proved unfortunately correct. These beakers are often in very bad condition, but this one is excellent, with just a small enamel nick on the rim, light rust spots in the interior bottom and light wear to the gilding on the rim.Origin: Russia, 1896. Size: 4-1/8” tall.
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Bohemian Biedermeier Cut & Engraved Glass Spa Beaker
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American:
Glass Shades:
Pre 1900 item# 1085753
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Kensington House Antiques
(301)942-0955
$295
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Fine Bohemian green-to-clear cut glass Biedermeier footed spa beaker ("spaglas") featuring five panels, each beautifully engraved with Classical symbols. Beakers of this sort originated in the great spa towns of Bohemia, where they were used to take the waters. Wealthy visitors often brought back a goblet as a souvenir of their restorative stay at the spa. This example is packed with finely-engraved symbols of all sorts--an anchor symbolizing hope; a cornucopia symbolizing prosperity; a swan symbolizing erotic love; a lyre symbolizing harmony; and the serpent of Epidaurus drinking from the bowl of Hygeia symbolizing health. The stem is panel cut, while the foot is simply decorated with printies and notches that match the cut vesicas on the sides.Origin: Bohemia, ca. 1830. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 6-1/4" tall.
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Imperial Russian Brass Romanov Double Eagle Tea Caddy
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Brass:
Pre 1900 item# 1079639
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Kensington House Antiques
(301)942-0955
SOLD, PLEASE VISIT US AGAIN!
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A unusual brass tea caddy from the Imperial Romanov era. These boxes are much more frequently seen as rectangular shapes rather than ovals. The hinged lid is decorated with an ornately detailed appliqué of the imperial Romanov double-headed eagle. The interior is tin-lined in the traditional Russian style. The lid can be locked with a small padlock—a reminder that tea was once an expensive, luxurious commodity that had to be protected from household thieves. The interior is tin-lined as expected in a Russian brass box.Origin: Russia, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, no dings, all original. Size: 5-3/16" x 3-7/8" x 2-13/16" high.
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6 Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver FLORAL Demitasse Spoons
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Sterling:
Pre 1910 item# 1079624
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Kensington House Antiques
(301)942-0955
$450
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A lovely set of six sterling silver demitasse spoons in the "Floral" pattern by Tiffany & Co. This lovely Victorian spoons feature a different old-fashioned flower on each handle. The tip of each handle is the flower blossom, while the neck is fashioned as the plant stem and foliage. The flowers represented are marigold, clover, daisy, iris, violet, and wild rose. The unusual elongated bowls are similar to those on egg spoons, and retain their original matte gilding. The backs are marked "Tiffany & Co. Stg."Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, sharp detail. Size: 4-1/16" long. Weight: 52.4 gr.
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Charles X French Silver Tastevin Wine Taster
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Silver:
Continental:
Pre 1900 item# 1038437
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Kensington House Antiques
(301)942-0955
$795
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An outstanding Restoration period French silver wine taster in the 18th century style typical of Lyon. With the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy, many old styles from the ancien regime once again came into fashion, and this tastevin, building on decorative elements typical of the 1770's, is a perfect example. Tastevins with snake-form handles were particularly popular. Those with a pair of snake heads that somewhat resemble bird's heads flanking a sphere are typical of silver from Lyon. The punchwork decoration of grape clusters surrounded the bowl is also a typical 18th century design. The tastevin is completely handmade and was raised on a lathe in the traditional method, as is evidenced by the pinprick in the middle of the bowl and the remnants of hammer marks. The outer rim is engraved "F. Porcheret-Billard". Stamped with 2nd standard "tete de Minverve" hallmarks.Origin: France, ca. 1840. Condition: excellent, sharp detail. Size: 3-1/2" diameter, excluding handle. Weight: 113.4 grams.
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Victorian Cervantes DON QUIXOTE Bronze Jewel Casket
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Bronze:
Pre 1910 item# 1031843
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Kensington House Antiques
(301)942-0955
$425
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A finely detailed cast bronze jewel box, the cover decorated with a scene of Don Quixote astride his horse followed by his loyal Sancho Panza on his donkey. The end panels feature bas relief images of Cervantes flanked by cherubs, and the back panel a bas relief of Don Quixote wearing an armored helmet. Cherubs and dolphins decorate the front. The interior is lined in a bright red velvet. The box retains its original key and the lock is in working order. Bronze boxes of this sort were often purchased as souvenirs of the European "Grand Tour". Often, they represent important architectural or artistic monuments or are related to great cultural figures such as Cervantes. The bottom is marked "Made In Spain" to accommodate British import regulations beginning in 1887.Origin: Spain, ca. 1890. Size: 6-9/16" x 3-11/16" x 2-5/8". Condition: excellent.
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