German 800 silver figural bird bowl, ca 1910. A big beautiful swan with graceful downturned neck terminating in closed and tapering bill. Fan-shaped tail and hinged wings ready to spread for taking flight if the party chat gets too dull. Finely chased and engraved feathering from dense and imbricated to fluffy and plumy, and tucked-up taloned and webbed feet. Capacious hollow body for holding treats or flowers. Marks include maker’s (Friedrich Reusswig) and Munich retailer’s stamp (Rosenau) ...
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...
Edwardian sterling silver and enamel place card holders. Made by Sampson Mordan & Co. in Chester, 1905-13. Each: Two flat discs mounted to flat circular base. Front disc smaller and enameled scene with leaping, writhing fish, the hook and line barely visible. One has engraved 2-letter block monogram (ER). A second has same in script. Fully marked including 1905, 1912, and 1913 date letters as well as retailer’s stamps “Finnigan’s Manchester” (2) and “Wilson & Gill / 139 Regent St Londo...
This Meiji period vase is made of fine white porcelain fashioned after classic Chinese motifs.. The potter, first generation Miura Chikusen, is the same generation as many of the better known Imperial Court artists (Kozan, Siefu, Tozan, etc…) and just as accomplished in terms of mastery of technique, level of artistic expression, and volume of pieces produced.
An exceptionally skilled Meiji potter, Chikusen (1854 – 1915) specialized in high-quality Kiyomizu-yaki and...
Pair of German silver Renaissance hunting figures, ca 1890. The man wears doublet over baggy chemise and hose with belt hanging loosely around hips. A long hat feather drapes gracefully along his arm. The horn is raised expectantly while the other hand rests on his sword. The woman wears a bodice-revealing fitted hip-length coat over a pleated skirt. Her braids are coiled in the back and her hat sports a jaunty feather. On a raised arm perches a falcon. The figures stand on rocky mounds with sca...
Set of 4 Edwardian sterling silver place card holders. Made by Sampson Mordan & Co. Ltd. in Chester, 1904-6. Each: Two flat discs mounted to flat and circular base. Front disc smaller and enameled with fox loping through forest. In leather-bound case with fitted velvet and silk lining; lining has gilt retailer’s stamp (Arnold & Lewis, Manchester). Fully marked including date letters 1904 (3) and 1906 (1), and design nos. 402227 (2) and 429790 (2). Very good condition with strong color.
Dimen...
Set of 4 Edwardian sterling silver and enamel place card holders. Made by James William Benson in Birmingham, 1901 to 1902. Each: Enameled coat of arms and open oval clip mounted to flat octagonal base. Two each in two coats of arms. In leather-bound case with silk lining and fitted velvet. All fully marked including date letters 1901 (2) and 1902 (2). Design no. 454426 and retailer’s stamp (“Rowell / Oxford”). Excellent condition with strong and intact color.
Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x W 1 ...
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...
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...
Using local materials and traditional methods, the creator of this work Masahiko Imanishi, has brought a distinctively modern interpretation to the classical form of the tsutsu chawan. At the same time, he somehow manages to maintain the simple rusticity that Tanba-ware is renowned for. Stretching back over 800 years, Tanba is counted as one of Japan’s 6 ancient kiln sites and is known for making large pots with red ferrous clay and natural ash glazes with a distinctive greenish tinge. More re...
Enryakuji Temple, Hiyeizan (Hieizan), Kyoto.
Artist not identified.
Dated August 21st, 1937.
Size: 7.5 x 5375 inches (19 x 13.6 cm).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print as the cover of a dinner menu of the Nippon Yusen Line passenger ship, Chichibu Maru.
Publisher: Likely Nippon Mokuhan Co. Tokio (Japan Woodblock Co. Tokyo), who produced another of our ship menu woodblock prints.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print made from a carved wood block. Mechanization was added to...
Sabra Field (American, born 1935)
Going Home
Date: ca 1980 (as noted on separate board)
Paper size: 13 x 8.5 inches.
Image size: 9.5 x 5 inches.
Medium: Woodcut print.
Condition: Light scuff on mountain.
Art Nouveau sterling silver table mirror. Made by William B. Kerr in Newark, ca 1910. Oval glass in rectangular surround. On front acid-etched ornament with dense and fluid leafing scrolls and berries; sides plain. With velvet back and hinged easel support for vertical display. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and indistinct number. Very good condition with strong definition.
Large dimensions: Frame: H 18 x W 14 5/8 in. Window: 14 3/4 x W 11 1/2 in. #BX553
Swedish Neoclassical 830 silver serving bowl, 1932. Ovoid bowl with high-looping end handles and raised foot. Engraved leaf-and-dart mouth rim. Pierced colonnade foot rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (G. Graumann) and date code. Very good condition.
Overall dimensions: H 3 3/4 x L 11 x W 4 3/4 in. Weight: 8.7 troy ounces. #BZ125
Midcentury Modern sterling silver box. Made by Poole in Taunton, Mass. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with curved top. Cast corner bracket supports in form of Classical colonnade. Box interior cedar lined. Open leather-lined underside. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 15. Very good condition.
Overall dimensions: H 1 3/4 x W 4 x D 3 3/4 in. Gross weight: 7.7 troy ounces. #BZ618
Pair of American Modern Classical sterling silver candlesticks, ca 1925. Each: Faceted column applied with bead-and-reel borders at top and bottom; raised hexagonal foot and detachable bobeche applied with same. Marks include retailer’s stamp (“Made for Tiffany & Co.) and no. 472X. Good condition with a few minor pings on shaft.
Dimensions: H 7 1/2 x W 3 3/4 x D 3 1/4 in. Weighted. #BZ334
Pair of American Modern Classical sterling silver candlesticks, ca 1925. Each: Faceted column applied with bead-and-reel borders at top and bottom; raised hexagonal foot and detachable bobeche applied with same. Marks include retailer’s stamp (“Made for Tiffany & Co.) and no. 472X. Very good condition with a few minor pings on shaft.
Dimensions: H 7 1/2 x W 3 3/4 x D 3 1/4 in. Weighted. #BZ333