Pair of Lancaster sterling silver ice tongs. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1900. U-form with beaded stem and floral terminal. One jaw ovoid and scalloped with ornamental piercing; the other a cast claw with five talons. A nice early piece in this pattern, which was first produced in 1897. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (Shreve & Co.) stamps. Condition: Nice definition. Taut and springy.
Height: 6 1/2 in. Weight: 1.8 troy ounces. #BY812
Finest quality Victorian repousse silver water pitcher. Made by S. Kirk & Son in Baltimore. Tall with scrolled helmet mouth and curved bottom. Cast leaf-capped and -wrapped high-looping s-scroll handle and raised foot with stippled fluting. Repousse with roses, calla lilies, and water lilies as well as scrolling leaves and spikey fronds. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1880-90), no. 315, and alloy (“11 OZ”), that is 11/12 or 916 silver. Excellent condition with deep patina.
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Modern carving pair with knife and fork. Made by Christofle in France, ca 1970. Tapering easy-grip silver-plated handles. Knife blade and 3-tine shank are stainless steel. Handy for the holidays and all the days in between. Marked. Good condition.
Dimensions: Knife: H 12 3/4 x W 1 1/2 x D 1/2 in. Fork: H 10 1/8 x W 1 1/8 x D 1/2 in. #BX127
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
Super luxurious Modern sterling silver colander. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Round bowl with two bracket side handles and 3 scrolled supports. Four pierced stars. A practical kitchen accessory wrought in precious metal. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp and phrase “Hand-Made”. Excellent condition.
Dimensions: H 6 1/2 x W 14 x D 10 1/2 in. Weight: 45 troy ounces. #BY860
Midcentury Modern sterling silver picture frame. Made by Watrous Mfg. Co. (part of International) in Wallingford, Conn. Rectangular window in clean and unadorned flat surround. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked including Watrous and International stamps and no. 30. Very good condition.
Dimensions: Frame: H 10 1/4 x W 7 1/2 in. Window: H 8 5/8 x W 6 in. #BY262
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....
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 ...
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...
First presented at the Ishikawa Traditional Crafts Exhibition, this fine mizusashi crafted with extraordinary precision is a testament to the generational knowledge, skill, and dedication of one of Japan’s top traditional craftsman. Its tapered polished sides have a beautiful texture and luster that compliment perfectly with the hand-crafted custom lid adorning the top. Truly an exceptional artwork fused with the aesthetics of tea culture that gives it a sense of stability, calm, a...
American Midcentury Modern sterling silver picture frame. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Rectangular window in same surround with convex front and flat sides. In hard-to-find landscape form with regal gold crown applied to top rail. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp, no. 47CC, and phrase “Hand Made”. Very good condition.
Dimensions: Frame: H 7 7/8 x W 9 7/8 in. Window: H 6 3/8 x W 8 1/4 in. #BY629
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
Super stylish Art Deco sterling silver compote. Round bowl with flared rim and curved and tapering sides. Ovoid support with Bakelite band to round foot with same. Visible hand hammering with nice shimmer. Italian marks (1934-44) including unidentified Roman maker’s stamp (14 Roma) and Milan retailer’s stamp (Fratelli Veneziani). Good condition. Bakelite crack on foot.
Dimensions: H 5 x D 9 3/4 in. Gross weight: 22 troy ounces. #BY685
Modern sterling silver tray. Made by Arthur Stone in Gardner, Mass., ca 1930. Round well with curved sides, tapering shoulder, and molded rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and craftsman’s initial T for Herbert A. Taylor, who was active from 1908-37. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 3/4 x D 12 1/8 in. Weight: 23.7 troy ounces. #BX526
Pair of pretty Edwardian sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Fisher Silversmiths, Inc. in Jersey City, ca 1950. Each: Ovoid socket with detachable and turned-down bobeche; baluster shaft on domed foot. Rims have applied shells and scrolls. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 3310. Very good condition. A few minor pings.
Dimensions: H 10 3/8 x D 5 1/8 in. Gross weight: 31 troy ounces (weighted in shaft). #BY678
Chippendale sterling silver tray. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton, Mass. Round with molded curvilinear ogee piecrust rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern name, and no. X365. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 7/8 x D 12 in. Weight: 20.4 troy ounces. #BX721
A beautiful old Kyo-ware tea bowl slightly elongated on one end producing an interesting and unique effect. The collector who furnished the box labeled it as being by the legendary potter Ninsei (17th C.). Though the potter’s mark suggests this could be the case, there is no way to confirm for certain other than by its age and undeniably elegant craftsmanship. Believing it to be quite precious, the previous owner bestowed it with the poetic name "Ibitsu" which means "warped" or "cu...