American Modern sterling silver tumbler. Sides comprise three concave rings with flared mouth rim. Marked “Tiffany & Co / Sterling / 549”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 5/8 x D 3 in. Weight: 4.6 troy ounces. #BY651

Set of 4 Victorian sterling silver place card holders. Made by Saunders and Shepherd in Chester in 1899. Each: A rifle is propped against a shilling coin dated 1899, the year war broke out in South Africa between the British and Dutch colonial settlements. The rifle is the famous Lee-Metford, which was by then a tad old fashioned, but still considered reliable by British as well as Dutch troops, who made use of captured specimens. Open lunette base with vertical support. Fully marked including d...

George V sterling silver figural place card holders. Made by William Suckling, Ltd in Birmingham in 1931 Each: Cast canine figure with plain silhouette back mounted to oval base. Each dog different as they are in real life. For a special “pack” night with a few close friends. In leather-bound case with fitted velvet and silk lining with gilt retailer’s stamp (“Jewellers / Nathan & Co / Birmingham”). Very good condition.

Tallest: H 1 1/8 x W 1 5/8 x D 1 1/4 in. Case: H 3 x W 7 7/8 x ...

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Snow at Shiba Park (Shiba Koen no Yuki)
Date: 1931
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Edition: First. Watanabe B seal (used 1927-32) in right margin.
Reference: Hotei #244.
Condition: Formerly matted with some tonal difference primarily near lower margin. One foxing mark in lower foreground.
Note: This famous Hasui design was also used later in a 1953 Pacific Transport Lines calendar.

Gyosui Suzuki
Two Egrets (Herons) Among Flowers with Moon
Date: 1930s.
Print size: Approximately 9.5 x 5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Stamp on verso).
Artist's seal lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back top edge has paper residue. Very light crease upper left (photo).
Note: Very rare. We could find no other example of this design.

Yoshimoto Gesso
Blue Bird on Plum Branch
Date: 1930s.
Print size: Approximately 9.625 x 5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Stamp on verso).
Artist's signature lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back top edge has paper residue. Point-sized dot in sky.

Yoshimoto Gesso
Sparrows and Red Flower
Date: 1930s.
Print size: Approximately 9.75 x 5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Stamp on verso).
Artist's signature lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back top edge has paper residue.

Yoshimoto Gesso
Cherry Blossoms
Date: 1930s.
Print size: Approximately 10 x 5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Stamp on verso)
Artist's signature lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back top edge has paper residue.

Kaoru Kawano (1916-1965)
Two Kittens
Date: 1950s-60s.
Size: Approximately 16.75 x 11.25 inches.
Sealed by the artist at lower right and on verso.
Self-published by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Tape residue at back margins and top front margin.

When the founder of the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Sen-So Soshitsu (1622 -1697) was invited to Kanazawa as the master of tea ceremony for the powerful Kaga lords in 1666, the first Chōzaemon came with him and established Ōhi-yaki in Kanazawa. Chōzaemon had been the chief apprentice to the Raku family in Kyoto and took with him many of the principles and ideas associated with Raku-ware. Since those auspicious beginnings, Ōhi-ware has held a high place in the world of tea cere...

Cactus sterling silver dinner set. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. This set comprises 84 pieces (dimensions in inches):

Forks: 12 dinner forks (7 3/4), 12 luncheon forks (6 1/2), and 12 seafood forks (6 1/4);

Spoons: 12 dessert spoons (6 3/4) and 12 teaspoons (6);

Knives: 12 dinner knives (9) and 12 butter spreaders (6 1/8).

Dinner knife blades are stainless steel.

For a special dinner party. Cactus was designed by Gundorph Albertus (1887-1970) and first produced in 1930.

Fully...

Pair of Old Country sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Elgin Silversmith Co., Inc. in New York, ca 1950. Each: Bellied socket on baluster shaft; domed foot with three embossed scroll supports. Naif-style pointille ornament. Marked “ESCO / Sterling”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 13 1/8 x D 5 7/8 in. Total weight: 18 troy ounces. #BY595

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

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

Kawase Hasui
Dawn Over Lake Shoji
Size: Approximately 8.75 x 7 inches.
Date: 1935. First and only edition.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo for a calendar commissioned by Japan Government Railways. Please see the included original Japanese Government Railways tag.
Reference: Hotei #370.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margins trimmed. Back has areas of paper residue and slight thinning.
Note: Not many examples of this woodblock print have survive...

Ohara Koson (Shoson)
Redstarts on Flowering Cherry Branch
Size: O-tanzaku. 13.5 x 7.25 inches.
Date: 1910s
Koson signature and seal at lower right.
Publisher: Daikokuya.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: K26.5 in Koson catalog.
Condition: Top back corners have paper residue.
- This print features lovely woodgrain.

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....