Lovely sterling silver keepsake box. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged and tabbed. Cover top has engraved border with dense and overlapping flowers and leaves. Stained-wood bottom, lining, and partition. Cover interior has rectangular tablet (vacant). Hallmarked “sterling silver”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 3/4 x W 7 x D 3 3/8 in. Gross weight: 11 troy ounces. #BQ281

Victorian silver baby cup. Made by S. Kirk & Son in Baltimore. Straight sides with allover floral repousse on stippled ground. Cast and capped leaf scroll handle and pointille foot border. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1846-61) and alloy “11 OZ.” (that is 11/12 or 916 silver). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 3/8 x W 4 x D 2 3/4 in. Weight: 4.8 troy ounces. #BY966

Edwardian sterling silver tray. Made by S. Kirk & Son Inc. in Baltimore. Oval well and wide shoulder with repousse floral garland on stippled ground; imbricated leaf rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1925-32), no. 2517, and phrase “Hand Decorated”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 x W 17 x D 11 3/4 in. Weight: 38.3 troy ounces. #BY473

Set of 8 Edwardian sterling silver coaster dishes. Made by S. Kirk & Son Inc. in Baltimore. Each: Plain well and tapering sides; rim turned down with repousse leaf and flower garland on stippled ground. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1925-32) and no. 424. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3/4 x D 4 1/8 in. Total weight: 16 troy ounces. #BY584

Edwardian Regency sterling silver trinket box. Made by Mauser Mfg. Co. in New York, ca 1910. Heart-shaped. Sides straight with chased garland. Cover hinged and raised with vacant center bordered by flowering branch. Gilt-washed interior. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 3666. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 7/8 x W 4 1/8 x D 4 3/8 in. Weight: 4.7 troy ounces. #BY419

Traditional sterling silver tray. Made by Stieff in Baltimore in 1956. Round and plain well and flat rim. Shoulder tapering with repousse floral garland on stippled ground. A nice piece in a regional style. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, date letter, no. 200, and phrase “Hand Chased”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 x D 14 in. Weight: 34.3 troy ounces. #BY068

Edwardian sterling silver gravy boat. Made by S. Kirk & Son in Baltimore, ca 1940. Ovoid with helmet mouth and raised oval foot; dense floral repousse on stippled ground. Cast leaf-capped and -mounted high-looping handle with low-relief flowers. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1932-61), no. 278F, and phrase “Hand Decorated”. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 6 x L 8 1/2 x W 4 in. Weight: 9.6 troy ounces. #BY992

Set of 12 Edwardian sterling silver goblets. Made by S. Kirk & Son Inc. in Baltimore.

Each: Ovoid bowl on cylindrical stemp flowing into domed foot. Dense fronds and flowers repousse. Mouth rim molded and foot rim crimped. Tactile easy-grip form with nice balance. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1925-32), no. 402, and phrase “Hand Decorated”. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 6 7/8 x D 3 1/2 in. Total weight: 89.5 troy ounces. #BZ582

Pair of American Edwardian sterling silver candlesticks, ca 1910. Urn socket on baluster shaft on domed foot. Plain bobeche and knop. Allover floral repousse and leaf-and-dart foot border. Traditional form with historic regional ornament. Marks including Baltimore retailer’s stamp (F. Bucher & Sons). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 10 1/2 x D 4 5/8 in. Weighted. #BY077

Pair of Edwardian sterling silver creamer and sugar. Made by S. Kirk & Son Inc. in Baltimore. Ovoid bodies and high looping handles. Creamer has helmet mouth and sugar has raised cover and finial. Frond and flower repousse; at bottom leaf and scallop shell border. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1925-32), no. 74, and phrase “Hand Decorated”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Creamer: H 6 x W 6 x D 4 1/4 in. Sugar: H 7 1/2 x W 7 1/4 x D 5 in. Total weight: 26 troy ounces. #BY449

Olympian sterling silver centerpiece bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Curved and tapering bowl on domed foot. At top a dense repousse frieze of love-making, harp-stumming nymphs, gods, and cherubs. Foot rim has rinceaux border. A beautiful piece in the celebrated Beaux-Arts pattern that was conceived by French designer F. Antoine Heller and debuted at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1878.

Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 6798, and director’s letter C (1902-7...

Olympian sterling silver wine cooler. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Each: Round with gently tapering sides and three reeded c-scroll handles with leaf mounts and caps. Foot ring with beading and bead-and-reel ornament, and 3 paw supports with leafy volute-scroll mounts. At bottom a dense repousse frieze of love-making, harp-strumming nymphs, gods, and cherubs. Gilt-washed interior. A beautiful early piece in the celebrated Beaux-Arts pattern that was conceived by French designer F. Antoine ...

Romantic Edwardian Art Nouveau sterling silver frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Heart-shaped window in same and curved surround flowing into bracket feet. Acid-etched leafing scrollwork and flowers. At top shaped cartouche vacant for engraving a lovey-dovey message. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 14282, and director’s letter C (1902-7). Excellent condition with stro...

Occasionally while browsing through the temple markets of Kyoto or perusing backstreets tea-ware shops, an attractive piece will catch my eye for no particular reason. When this happens, I typically buy it immediately without hesitation, trusting that I will be able to place it to a specific period or kiln given enough time and research. In some cases however, this proves to be a fruitless task and I am left only to appreciate the beauty and form of the object without having access to too many d...

A delightful Hagi tea bowl from the Jōzan Kiln in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Very representative of the genre with its milky glaze and ido-shape. This piece is a step above their typical offerings as can be discerned not only from the lovely composition but also from the quality of the box and the silk pouch that was also custom furnished. For those interested in getting better acquainted the world of Hagi without spending the thousands of dollars typical for works by better known artist...

Set of 12 Edwardian sterling silver holders. Made by Schofield in Baltimore, ca 1910. Each: Round and curved bowl with floral repousse; open bottom and plain spread foot. High-looping side handles with case repousse-style floral ornament. With: Cream porcelain inserts with gilt rim bands. Originally intended for bouillon but perfect for rich treats like ice cream and custard. Holders marked “Sterling” with maker’s mark. Inserts have maker's mark (Lenox). Very good condition.

Overall dime...

Pair of Repousse sterling silver ice tongs. Made by S. Kirk & Son in Baltimore. U-form applied with dense flowers and leaves in crisp relief; leaf jaws. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1932-61). Condition: Strong definition. Taut and springy.

Height: 6 1/4 in. Weight: 2 troy ounces. #BY816

Charming Original photograph of smiling village children by the famous photographer, Si Cho Ko. From Taiwan, Si Cho Ko has traveled and exhibited extensively including the National Art Museum of China in 2007. Si Chi Ko is the first Taiwan photographer to hold a photograph exhibition in the Chinese mainland. He brought over 80 pieces of art works, reflecting his passion towards life, love of nature and also the loneliness from the bottom of his heart. This photograph is signed in pen by...

Ca 1892 An ornately stamped gilt metal blue chalcedony (dyed agate) bracelet in original condition with detailed crimped frames and expandable panels all accented by flowerheads and small opals. The stones' facets and tables show light wear; one stone has a small chip on a table facet, another has a small section missing adjacent the setting (please refer to pictures). Hidden box clasp and safety chain. There is some darkening to the metal. A lovely piece sold as is. 7 -1/4".

Turn-of-the-century cut-glass perfume bottle with sterling silver stopper. Globular with short and faceted neck and shoulder, and everted rim. Star, fern, and diaper ornament. Globular stopper with dense repousse-style flowers and ferns on stippled ground. Marked “Sterling” with stamp for James R. Armiger Co., a Baltimore maker that began working under that name in 1896. Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H 6 7/8 x D 3 5/8 in. #BM943 & BM944

Japanese Jubako, traditional stacked lacquerware food boxes, represent not only culinary refinement but also an important aspect of Japanese food culture. These elegantly tiered containers, often adorned with intricate designs and vibrant colors, are integral to the presentation of special occasion meals such as New Year’s celebrations and formal picnics. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, Jubako boxes like the one featured here showcase the artistry of Japanese lacquerwa...

German 800 silver playing card box, ca 1920. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with chamfered tab; top flat with two glazed windows faced with a King of Hearts and Queen of Spades. Interior wood-lined and partitioned with ribbon tabs. Leather-lined bottom. With cards. Perfect for a quiet evening at home. Marks include maker’s stamp HB (probably Hermann Bauer). Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 1 1/2 x W 5 5/8 x D 4 1/2 in. Gross weight (box only): 11 troy ounces. #BZ291 ...

Restauration Classical silver gilt box. Made by Jean-Baptiste Claude Odiot in Paris, ca 1820. Drum form with spread base; cover raised. Cast egg-and-dart and floral rims. Heart engraved with single script letter monogram set in flower wreath on cover top and body. Sumptuous Return-of-the-Bourbons luxe from the Ancien Regime do-over years. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and the fineness (950) stamp instituted in 1819. Very good condition with nice toning.

Dimensions: H 2 1/4 x D 1 5/8 i...

Edwardian glass tobacco jar with sterling silver cover. Made by S. Kirk & Son Co. in Baltimore, ca 1910. Jar has curved sides with cut bead-and-reel fluting and short inset neck; star cut to underside; Cover curved with allover floral repousse on stippled ground. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1903-24) and no. 189. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7 3/4 x D 5 3/8 in. Weight (silver only): 4.8 troy ounces. #BZ221

Splashed across a beautifully textured backdrop of shimmering black, the willow leaves painted in silver bring with them a sense of calm and contemplation. Generously proportioned though not too heavy in the hand, the wide base ensures stability while the upward curvature of the sides breaks with convention and offers a unique and decidedly modern flair.

Born in Kyoto as the 4th son of a famous lacquer artist named Shogo, Banura Shiro (1941-2001) followed suit and went i...

Restauration Classical silver gilt box. Made by Jean-Baptiste Claude Odiot in Paris, ca 1820. Rectangular with straight sides and leaf-and-dart base rim. Cover flat and hinged with same as well as leaf-and-flower border. Cover top has central heart engraved with single script letter monogram set in flower wreath; leaf and flower border. Sumptuous Return-of-the-Bourbons luxe. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and the fineness (950) stamp instituted in 1819. Very good condition with nice ton...

Restauration Classical silver gilt box. Made by Jean-Baptiste Claude Odiot in Paris, ca 1820. Rectangular with straight sides and leaf-and-dart base rim. Cover flat and hinged with same as well as leaf-and-flower border. Cover top has central heart engraved with single script letter monogram set in flower wreath; leaf and flower border. Sumptuous Return-of-the-Bourbons luxe from the Ancien Regime do-over years. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and the fineness (950) stamp instituted in 18...

Appearing to be from a 2006 excavation site in Tokyo known to be a former residence of the Owari Tokugawa clan—the most senior contingent of the Tokugawa clan that united Japan under one rule—this lovely Mishima tea bowl is one of just two I have seen appear on the Japanese art market over the years. The previous bowl also listed on our site had a large portion reconstructed with a gold repair. This piece meanwhile is entirely intact and even has its original box. Details about t...

Over 400 years ago the first Takatori potter known as “Hachizan” was brought to Japan by the powerful Kuroda clan and was tasked with establishing a kiln in the town of Fukuoka. Since that time, the Takatori lineage has produced many fine works and gained a reputation across Japan for their skill at producing porcelains of thin construction, using many layers of glaze, and with a variety of unique colorations.

Born in 1907, the 11th generation Takatori potter (Seizan), along wit...

In the tranquil pond, a solitary turtle finds repose upon a weathered rock. With its ancient shell glistening under the gentle sunlight, it sits in serene contemplation. The stillness of the water mirrors the turtle's quiet presence, as it basks in the harmony of its surroundings. In this harmonious scene, time seems to slow, and the turtle becomes a symbol of patience and tranquility amidst the ever-changing world.

Deep in the water A serene heart resides Floating above it...

A testament to the brilliance of traditional Japanese craftsmanship, this lacquered mizusashi—skillfully handcrafted from bamboo—showcases a deep crimson hue that radiates warmth and sophistication. Its seamless design and flawless finish reflect the skilled hands of the first generation artisan who crafted it, achieving a harmonious balance between form and function. Designed for use in Japanese tea ceremony, this indispensable implement would love to be put back into service o...

This lovely Shino tea bowl fashioned from coarse Mino clay is covered in feldspar glazing, has a classic ferrous abstract painting across the front, and shows nice age—most likely from early to middle Edo.

Shino-ware dates to the Momoyama period when potters were attempting to recreate white porcelain-wares that were being imported from China at the time. Originally they were made in a single-chamber anagama style kilns set into the hillsides. Later, with the advent of large-batc...

Master of a very difficult technique from the Chinese Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) known in Japanese as Neriage, the potter who created this elegant vase uses extreme precision to combine sheets of differing types of clay, culminating in a unique visual effect. While many of his pieces are ringed with swirls of colors, this one is more modern and subdued. With quite a lot of character, this lovely vase will draw attention without being overpowering.

Born in Nagano, Kosei Matsui (1927-20...

Seated in meditation with open and compassionate heart, this bodhisattva is on a spiritual journey, postponing his own salvation in order to remain on earth to help others achieve enlightenment. In contrast to some images of the Japanese Bodhisattva (Bosatsu), often depicted as austere and inward looking, here, Kimura depicts the Bodhisattva as playful, carefree, and decidedly ornate. The inverted image of white contrast dye on black silk also makes for a striking composition.

A mas...

This tall and lovely Hagi chawan rests firmly on a wari kodai or “split foot” pedestal that is unglazed—displaying the coarse rich clay. The crackled milky glaze covers the curves and contours of the bowl, contrasting dramatically between the foot and the clay body. Hagi-ware such as this is part of a tradition stretching back over 400 years and is a high-fired stoneware type of pottery. Hagi-ware is prized for its subdued colors and classical features, especially the glazing, ...