Dramatic Chinese silver centerpiece bowl, ca 1890. Oval with solid well. Sides open with scaly, slithering wraparound dragons; haunches and legs terminating in talon-gripped balls form supports. Cast heads with gaping jaws and lolling tongue. Detachable metal liner; interior has copper patina. Marked with Chinese characters and stamp for Luen Wo, a silversmith and retailer in Canton, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 6 1/4 x W 16 1/2 x D 7 1/4 in. Weight (sil...

Chinese silver mug, ca 1910. Straight and upward tapering sides and c-scroll handle. A spare form enlivened with applied wraparound dragon chasing its tail. Marks include stamp for Wang Hing, a maker and retailer in Canton and Hong Kong. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 x W 5 x D 3 1/4 in. Weight: 10.8 troy ounces. #BX461

Beautifully carved soap stone figure of sage Fulushuo, he leans on an elaborately carved staff and hold the peach of longevity, on an intricately carved dark stone stand on which are carved a bat and a deer, also symbols of happiness and longevity, wonderful expression, stone of a lovely orange and green, Republic Period (circa 1910-1930). Total size: 20 3/4" high x 8" wide x 5 1/2" deep.

Pair of Chinese export silver vases, ca 1910. Each: Flat and round moon body on domed foot; animal-head handles mounted to shoulder. On front and back is chased dragon—a horned and taloned serpentine serpent on hand-hammered ground. Marked Wang Hing & Co., an early 20th-century retailer active in Canton and Hong Kong. Very good condition. Handwork visible on foot underside.

Dimensions: H 4 1/2 x W 3 1/2 x D 2 in. Total weight: 7.5 troy ounces. #BY228

Pair of Chinese export silver mustard pots, ca 1890. Each: Cylindrical with fixed and entwined ratan-style handle; cover chained with inset and engraved diaper top. Applied wraparound horned and taloned dragon. For piquant condiments. Marks include stamp for Tien Shing, who was active in Hong Kong in the third-quarter of the 19th century. Very good condition. One pot has a detachable clear glass liner.

Dimensions: H 3 1/2 x D 1 in. Total weight (silver only): 2.3 troy ounces. #BZ583

Chinese export silver mug, ca 1860. Straight and upward tapering sides with applied pictorial frieze on engraved and stippled ground: Scenes of social life with contemplative sages and chaste maidens amongst palm trees and pagodas. Pastoral exoticism enlivened with scaly, slithering dragon handle, ferocious head peaking above the rim. Armorial cartouche (vacant). Marked “HCH”. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 5 1/2 x W 5 x D 3 in. Weight: 9.6 troy ounces. #BX463

Chinese silver mug, ca 1865. Straight and upward tapering sides with dense low-relief frieze: Spearmen and swordsmen on foot and horse thrust and lunge and, in some cases, fall in battle. Applied armorial shield with engraved presentation dated “May 4th 1865”. S-scroll handle in form of scaly dragon with horned head peering over rim. Marked. Very good condition with deep patina.

Overall dimensions: H 5 1/4 x W 5 1/4 x D 3 1/4 in. Weight: 10.8 troy ounces. #BX464

Rare mixed metal pitcher with lots of bugs. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1880. Globular with drum-form neck, small lip spout, and c-scroll handle. Modish insects—dragon fly, grasshopper, and butterfly—creep and dart among fluid and interlaced grass stalks applied to hand-hammered sterling silver ground heightened with floral engraving and copper inlay. A superb integration of Japonesque and Craftsman. Interlaced script monogram engraved to underside. Fully marked including pattern n...

Seto is a pottery tradition established in the 12th century with the aim of reproducing fine Chinese porcelain and tenmoku-style tea bowls—which were hard to come by in Japan at the time. Later, during the Muromachi period, Seto potters established kilns in Mino thus starting the period known as ko-Seto, or “old Seto.” These pieces were distinctive as they were produced in small batches and with great care. Later in Edo, the large-kiln style of production or “ogama” was introduced ushe...

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...

Several years ago we were invited by our very talented kintsugi craftsman to what is known as a “kura-ake” or storehouse opening. Many reading this may be familiar with the traditional storehouses in Japan (kura) with their thick plaster walls used to store valuable items—sometimes for hundreds of years—safe from humid air, insects, and the like. On occession, after the passing of a parent or relative, these storehouses are opened up and the art pieces and valuables inside ar...

Pair of German 800 silver pheasants, ca 1920. A rooster and hen, each with hinged wings, long overlapping tails, closed beak, and wary stare. An on-guard couple standing on scaly talons, ready to take flight if the party talk turns dull. Heads detachable for hiding a secret stash of treats or booze. Hanau maker’s marks (Vereinigte Silberwarenfabriken). Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: Rooster: H 8 1/2 x L 19 3/8 x W 4 3/8 in. Wingspan: 7 1/4 in. Hen: H 9 x L 18 3/4 x W 4 1/2 in. Wing...

Modern sterling silver porringer. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Round with straight sides. Cast open cinquefoil handle inset with acorn-nibbling squirrel. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 23111, director’s letter m (1907-47), and wartime star (1943-5). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 3/4 x W 5 7/8 x D 4 1/2 in. Weight: 6.5 troy ounces. #BZ175

German 800 silver figural stirrup cup, ca 1910. Cast boar head with flexed-back ears, fierce eyes, funny snout, and fearsome teeth and tusks. Bowl straight and tapering with tooled bands; gilt-washed interior. Pocket size. Marked. Very good condition with nice patina.

Dimensions: H 4 1/2 x W 1 7/8 in. Heavy weight: 5 troy ounces. #BZ597

George V sterling silver picture frame. Made by Docker & Burn Ltd in Birmingham in 1923. Rectangular window in flat cutout curvilinear shaped surround. A simplified postwar Edwardian design. With glass, silk lining, and wood back and hinged easel support. Very good condition. Wear and warping to wood.

Dimensions: Frame: H 10 1/2 x W 8 1/2 in. Window: H 8 x W 6 in. #BY909

Pair of English Neoclassical-style sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1917. Each: Urn socket mounted to tapering shaft on raised and round foot. Pointillé frames and Vitruvian scroll borders. Faceted. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 19221 (first produced in 1917), order no. 6727, and director’s letter m as well as phrases “Reproduction Original by John Green & Co. Sheffield 1797” and “Silver 13 1/2 OZS Wood Weighted”. Very good cond...

American Art Deco sterling silver tray, ca 1925. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Rectangular with chamfered corners, tapering sides, and molded rim. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp, no. 47/4, and phrase “Hand Made”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3/4 x W 16 x D 12 in. Weight: 43.8 troy ounces. #BY625

American Art Deco sterling silver tray, ca 1925. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Rectangular with chamfered corners, tapering sides, and molded rim. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp, no. 47/4 and phrase “Hand Made”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3/4 x W 16 x D 12 in. Weight: 43.8 troy ounces. #BY624