Antique magnifying glass, ca 1900. Tapering mother of pearl handle overlaid with silver scrollwork. Circular lens in metal frame. Handle marked “sterling”. Nice condition.

Length: 11 in. Lens diameter: 4 in. #BM975

Set of 4 Edwardian sterling silver and enamel place card holders. Made by James William Benson in Birmingham, 1906 to 1908. Each: Enameled coat of arms and open oval clip mounted to flat octagonal base. Same design comprising yellow cross and birds on cobalt ground. In leather-bound case with silk lining and fitted velvet. Case has retailer’s stamp (Army and Navy Co-Operative Society) All fully marked including date letters 1906 (3) and 1908 (1). Design no. 454426 and retailer’s stamp (“Ro...

Set of 4 George V sterling silver place card holders. Made by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths in London in 1911. Each: Round gilt ring inset with cast animal head. Two holders have fox heads and two have hound heads. Prey and predator have long pointed snouts and red glass bead eyes. In original leather-bound case with silk lining and fitted velvet. Fully marked. Very good condition with nice patina and toning.

Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x W 1 1/8 x D 1 1/2 in. Case: H 2 1/8 x W 8 1/4 x D 2 5/8 in. Total w...

A rare and beautiful set from Margot de Taxco includes a large confetti enamel Necklace with a large Fish at the center and Wave shaped links at the sides along with the matching Wave earrings. Multi colored confetti enamel with green being the dominate overall color. The necklace measures 15" long and weighs 101.2 grams. The clip back earrings measure 1 1/2" long by 1/2" wide and together they weigh 16.4 grams. The necklace is hallmarked Margot de Taxco, 5644, Sterling Made in Mexico with the e...

Edwardian glass rouge pot with sterling silver cover. Made by William Neale in Chester in 1901. Pot clear and round with straight and faceted sides. Cover flat with inlaid ribbon-bedecked oil lamp, and sterling silver sides. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 3/8 x D1 1/2 in. #AY667

Equestrian-themed silver tankard with German imperial association, ca 1875. Straight and paneled sides with low-relief frieze depicting galloping riders, racing through the countryside, trees and buildings in the background; branch borders. Split-mounted s-scroll handle with thumb rest. At bottom applied branch and leaf border and open supports. Cover hinged and bellied with imbricated leaf rim; on top is cast finial in form of mounted jockey and engraved phrase citing Kaiser Wilhelm I in an all...

Set of 6 Victorian sterling silver equestrian place card holders. Made by Samuel Jacob in London, 1896-1902. Cut out with chasing, stippling, and tooling. Each different with jockeys, polo players, and hedge-jumping hunters. Hinged c-scroll support.

Fully marked including date letters 1896 (3), 1901 (1), and 1902 (2). Five holders have each a different design number; the numbers were registered between 1894 and 1897. Three have retailer’s stamp (Thornhill & Co.). Very good condition.

Ove...

English Victorian Modern sterling silver smoking box 1885. Rectangular with straight sides. Scroll-bracket handle mounted to central panel between two hinged covers. On one in blue enamel “Cigars”; on other “Cigarettes”. Cedar lined. Felt-lined underside. Fully marked including London assay stamp and maker’s initials “T.W”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 x W 7 3/4 x D 6 1/2 in. Gross weight: 28.3 troy ounces. #BX649

This scroll contains a sutra written as [寿至蓬莱不老僊], pronounced in Japanese as “Jyu-Ita-Hōrai-Furō-Sen.” Originating from Chinese, the characters “蓬莱” refer to the mythical land of “Penglai,” home to the immortals. According to legend the trees that grow here cure all disease; there are rice bowls and flasks of wine that never go empty; and its great castles are built entirely out of gold and silver.

The brushwork is done by a Rinzai sect m...

European silver ornament, ca 1920. Single plain hollow stem sprouting 3 flowers with ripe, splayed petals and prominent stamen surrounding 3 tight and tall buds. Pretty and hopeful. Appears to be unmarked. Silver tests 800. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 19 3/4 x W 6 X D 6 in. Weight: 4 troy ounces. #BW189

Art Deco sterling silver novelty camel flask. Made by R. Blackinton & Co. in North Attleboro, Mass., ca 1930. Rectilinear and gently curved; cover hinged and cork-lined. On front, in black enamel is a drooping dromedary. On back, the beast is revived, standing tall with head raised. A powerful testimony to the benefits of rehydration. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 9714. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7 1/8 x W 5 x D 1 in. Gross weight: 9.8 troy ounces. #BY532

Japanese inlay ceramics (zōgan) are created by making incisions on the surface of a clay body which are then filled with various colored clays, creating a pattern. After the pattern is finalized, an overglaze is applied and the piece is sent to the kiln to be fired. As can be seen here, the results are quite striking and produce unique patterns that cannot be replicated through painting alone. Inlaying as a technique is thought to have originally derived from practices in metal and ...

An often overlooked implement in tea ceremony, here we have the humble kogo (incense box) with an image of a sleek and flowing dragon. Commonly thought to represent strength, freedom, good luck, and magic, dragons are a popular theme in the artwork across Eastern cultures. Interesting to note, the dragon here is portrayed in the Korean style with four claws, with dragons in China typically having five claws and dragons in Japan typically having three. Fashioned by one of the few great female Jap...

Pretty Victorian sterling silver tray. Made by Theodore B. Starr in New York, ca 1890. Round with deep well. Applied cast rim with leafing scrollwork and flowers. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 3868X. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x D 14 3/8 in. Weight: 26.3 troy ounces. #BY101

Turn-of-the-century European silver bell. Tulip-bowl with twisted gadrooning. Figural handle depicting an old-fashioned countryman holding two live fowl. Here’s dinner—eventually. Substantial and tactile with melodious ting-a-ling. Marked. Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H 4 1/2 x D 1 7/8 in. Weight: 5 troy ounces. #BN700

Traditional Japanese art tends to be timeless and inspiring in form, however, occasionally lacking in diversity and innovation. That is why artists who can incorporate centuries of experiential knowledge and technique into producing new and interesting forms are oh so valued. Though this Bizen jar fits into the category of mizusashi, a vessel central to tea ceremony that holds fresh water, it seems to transcend this narrow category and stands as an independent art object all its own....

In Japan, famous for its generational potting families, only a handful have made it all the way through to the 14th generation—the Nakazato line being one of them with over 400 years of history. Handcrafted by the current 14th potter in the renowned Karatsu tradition, this piece displays subtle, earthy tones and organic textures reminiscent of nature. Blending elements seamlessly, a canvas is created that complements the beauty of the floral elements in glossy contrast across the s...

With a masterfully applied black Raku glaze and a noticeable aesthetic of austerity and stillness, this piece is what is refereed to in Japanese as an “utsushi” or what we might call in English a “tribute piece.” Such pieces are typically made by all Raku potters, regardless of the kiln and tradition, and seek to emulate famous works from the early masters over 400 years ago—in this case, a tea bowl created by the brother of the second Kichizaemon, Tanaka Somi, born sometim...