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

Chinese export silver mug, ca 1880. Straight and upward tapering sides with allover low-relief battle frieze depicting soldiers—spearmen, lancers, and swordsmen—with a few hapless members of the flag corps wandering into the thick of things. In background (that is, at top) peacetime is represented by houses and trees. On front applied heraldic shield (vacant). Cast dragon handle—a horned scaly, serpentine serpent gripping the side with talons. Gilt-washed interior. Marked. Very good condit...

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...

Set of 12 American sterling silver mint juleps. Each: Straight and tapering sides, beeded rim and foot, and applied cast horse head. A great way to celebrate Derby Day with a dozen of your nearest and dearest. Marked “Sterling / Trees”. Benjamin Trees was active in Lexington, Kentucky from the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 3/4 x D 2 7/8 in. Total weight: 55 troy ounces. #BZ708

German Art Deco Classical 800 silver jewelry box, ca 1920. Rectangular with straight sides with incised corner pillars on block supports. Cover hinged with gently curved top and tapering tab. Velvet-lined interior. Open leather-lined underside. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (Hermann Bauer). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 5/8 x W 4 x D 3 1/4 in. Gross weight: 6.5 troy ounces. #BZ445

Edwardian sterling silver picture frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Rectangular window in same flat surround. Acid-etched meandering ivy on front and sides. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 16542, and director’s letter m. Very good condition with strong definition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 7 7/8 x W 5 3/4 in. Window: H 7 x W 4 7/8 in. #BZ656

Set of 6 Japanese Meiji silver cast figural knife rests, ca 1910. Each: A horned and taloned dragon with arched back and fan tail. Scaly, scampering serpents for the next dinner party. Unmarked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 x L 2 3/4 x W 5/8 in. Total weight: 5 troy ounces. #BY235

German Rococo 830 silver bowl, ca 1900. Round well with rosebud-gathering cherubs in relief. Sides tapering with scrolled and wavy rim. Heraldic shields with more cherubs and flower baskets as well as flower-strewn scrolled frames on pierced ground. Foot ring with scrolls and scallop shells. A fancy piece in the Hanau style. Marked. Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H 3 D 15 1/4 in. Weight: 22.5 troy ounces. #BZ141

American Edwardian Classical sterling silver tea caddy, ca 1910. Ovoid ginger-jar bowl with short neck and bellied cover. Three chased leafing-scroll frames of which 2 vacant and 1 engraved with interlaced script monogram. Shoulder has flower heads on stippled ground. Cover top has central triangle on leaves. Fully marked including stamp for Theodore B. Starr, a New York maker and retailer, and no. 249. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/2 x D 2 3/8 in. Weight: 3 troy ounces. #BZ577