Set of 13 American Modern sterling silver place card holders, ca 1950. This set comprises 12 place card holders and 1 menu holder. Each: Cast figure of recumbent whippet with gracile limbs and imperious pointy head mounted to oval base with applied gadrooned rim. The place card holders have a ring clip and the menu holder has a heart clip. Mondaine novelties guaranteed to raise the tone of one’s dinner parties. Marked “UV [in circle] Sterling”. Excellent condition.
Dimensions: Place card...
First born son to Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun, Koichiro (b. 1974) has quickly made a name for himself as an independent artist. Not content to rely solely on family reputation, he has set off on his own path, making innovations in clay and also in the ideas and principles surrounding his craft.
With its well-proportioned ridged design, natural ash glaze, and coarse grade of Bizen clay still containing visible stones; the vessel seen here would be a good choice for someone ...
American applied sterling silver perfume vial, ca 1880. Clear glass cylinder with twisted fluting. Sterling silver collar and hinged cover with tendril, flower, and insect on hand-hammered ground; gilt interior. Unmarked. Very good condition with deep patina.
Dimensions: H 2 3/4 x D 1/2 in. #BN380
Victorian Georgian Queen sterling silver soup ladle. Made by John and Henry Lias in London in 1839. King-shaped handle has engraved armorial with sword-bearing lion rampant and motto “Courage”. Deep ovoid bowl. A substantial and traditional piece made shortly after young Victoria ascended the throne. Stylistic continuity in the new reign. Fully marked. Very good condition.
Height: H 13 3/8 in. Heavy weight: 12 troy ounces. #BV250
Dramatic sterling silver seafood serving bowl. Made by Buccellati in Italy. Two joined scallop-shells bowls on scallop-shell supports. A traditional form enlivened by the figure of an octopus squatting in the center, its curled and tangled legs draped over the bowls. A graphic contrast between the scales and suckers of the octopus and the controlled and stylized ornament on the shells. Very original. Beautiful craftsmanship. Fully marked including “Buccellati” stamp and post-1967 Italian mar...
A student of Itaya Hazan, one of the most sought after potters in the world of Japanese art, the ceramicist who crafted this fine vase displays here a high degree of mastery, both in form and glazing technique. For the collector who has always wanted a Hazan but has never been lucky enough to chance upon one, this may be a worthy acquisition. Although much of Inoue’s work is quite different in style to that of Hazan’s, you can find a number of pieces where the influence is unmistakeable—th...
Market-fresh Japonesque mixed metal and sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1879. Gently curved bowl and inset undulating rim with wide lip spout and integral scroll handle with tendril mounts that wraparound mouth rim. Handle has lily pad “cap” with crouching figure of frog. Applied leaves with copper-inlaid veins with one overlapping bold and scrolling interlaced acid-etched monogram on neck. A solitary beetle meanders along near the bottom. Dense allover s...
First born son to Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun, Koichiro (b. 1974) has quickly made a name for himself as an independent artist. Not content to rely solely on family reputation, he has set off on his own path, making innovations in clay and also in the ideas and principles surrounding his craft. With its well-proportioned ridged design, natural ash glaze, and coarse grade of Bizen clay still containing visible stones; the vessel seen here would be a good choice for someone looking for a ...
Over the years we have taken a special interest in Raku-ware and especially in works produced by the Tamamizu kiln, such as the 300+ year old ceremonial tea bowl seen here. The first in this line of potters was Yahē (1662 - 1722), an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (1615 - 1768) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho). Though he is the first potter of this branch, he is sometimes referred to as Tamam...
Elizabeth II sterling silver serving tray. Made by Edward Viner in Sheffield in 1960. Round with well and molded and gently scrolled rim. Pretty and old fashioned. Fully marked. Excellent condition.
Dimensions: H 7/8 x D 14 1/2 in. Weight: 33 troy ounces. #BU963
Living in Kyoto it is not uncommon to come across beautiful antique tea bowls, however, finding pieces that are in good condition, aesthetically compelling, and with all of the trappings that let you know they were cared for by a devoted cha-jin can be quite challenging. Here we see all three. The shape of this tea bowl is exquisite and something I have not seen before in a Mino piece. The lacquer box, while not the original was undoubtedly custom made for this tea bowl and looks to be 100 - 200...
Created by Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun, Bizen pieces like the one seen here originated in Okayama (south-western Japan) and have a long history that is closely intertwined with that of tea culture. Known for employing a natural-ash glazing techniques that require extremely long firing times (7-14 days) at very high temperatures, constant attention is required to ensure good results. Here Isezaki can be seen pushing the bounds of tradition Bizen orthodoxies in interesting and creative wa...
Accents formed using iron pigment stand out across a backdrop of blue-green glaze. The base and a portion of the inside of this ceremonial tea bowl are unglazed displaying rich clay. Created by Shibayama Toshiya, this is an example of contemporary Japanese ceramics at its finest.
A native of Nagoya Shibayama (b. 1959) is exceptionally versatile, working in styles such as Seto, Shino, Karatsu, and Shigaraki among others. A practitioner of tea himself, Shibayama is known for crafting ...
Midcentury Modern jar. Made by E. Dragsted in Denmark. Thick and ovoid clear glass bowl with sterling silver grape bunches loose-mounted to ends. Flat sterling silver cover with grape bunch finial. Beautiful Jensen-inspired design. Cover fully marked and numbered 1810. Fine condition.
Dimensions: H 4 x W 6 3/8 x D 4 in. #BU374
Midcentury Modern sterling silver and cut-glass creamer and sugar. Made by Hawkes in Corning, New York. Each: Conical bowl on flutes and diaper, and scalloped rim border. Creamer has c-scroll handle and small u-form spout. Stepped and round sterling silver base. Fully marked including silver weight (16 pwts/each). Very good condition. Sugar has minor base ping.
Dimensions: Creamer: H 4 x W 5 1/4 x D 3 3/4 in. Sugar: H 4 x D 4 in. #BU361
A beautiful example of Ohi inspired Raku-ware; the body of this stylish tea vessel is a mix of a dark black gradating to charcoal grey with undertones of reddish maroon. A hasami-no-ato mark can be seen where the tongs were used to remove this piece from the kiln, and the potters mark can be seen near the foot of the bowl. Simple and refined, perfect for collectors and practitioners of tea alike.
Born into a generational line of tea-ware potters from Kanazawa, Fumiaki Kaihatsu (b. 1...
Being based in Kyoto we occasionally come across fine Chinese and Korean tea-ware to mix in with our Japanese offerings. Here we have an example of a ceremonial tea bowl from the Shinragi kiln in Korea. Pieces like the one seen here are baked in a traditional wood-fired “climbing kiln” at a temperature of over 1,300 degrees for 5 days. Fashioned after classical works held in museum collections, the motifs are timeless and captivating.
In excellent condition, this piece is 5.5 in...
Master of a very difficult technique from the Chinese Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) known in Japanese as Neriage, the potter who created this elegant vase uses extreme precision to combine sheets of differing types of clay, culminating in a unique visual effect. While many of his pieces are ringed with swirls of colors, this one is more modern and subdued. With quite a lot of character, this lovely vase will draw attention without being overpowering.
Born in Nagano, Kosei Matsui (1927-20...
Sensitive and endearing 800 silver animal figure. Made by Buccellati in Italy. A chimp with raised arm, big funny ears, and expressive face sits on amethyst crystal base with joined feet. A playful primate with tensile hands and feet, and shaggy wire fur. Marked “Buccellati Italy 800”. Excellent condition with deep patina.
Dimensions: H (with base) 13 x W 8 1/2 x D 8 in. #BU120
Japonesque sterling silver and mixed metal water pitcher. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1885. Globular body, straight neck, and c-scroll handle. Allover honeycomb hand hammering. Applied flowers, leafing tendrils, and butterflies. A restrained design with graceful plant and insect motifs. Fully marked including pattern no. 3077 and phrase “Sterling silver and other metals”. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 7 3/8 x W 8 x D 5 1/2 in. Weight: 25 troy ounces. #BM963
Ca 1910 A beautiful, transitional Art Nouveau-Art Deco ring by Newark jewelry designer, M.B. Bryant ( 1858-1931). The smooth bezel set stone measures 1/2" square and the ring is a size 6.5. In excellent condition, the pictures tell all. Marked 14k along with the Bryant stamp.
Set of 3 Etruscan Revival sterling silver tureens. Made by JC Moore & Son for Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1865. This set comprises 1 large round tureen and 2 small oval tureens.
Each: Tapering, ovoid body on raised foot. Egg-and-dart border. Reeded bracket side handles with cast ram’s head mounts. Cover domed with cast Roman helmet finial. Beading. Super stylish midcentury design. Bold Classicism that works in a contemporary interior.
Early marks (1854-70) with Moore and Tiffany stamps...
Chrysanthemum sterling silver 5-light centerpiece candelabrum. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Sizable baluster shaft on raised squarish foot with corner volute supports. Four scrolled arms, each terminating in single socket, joined by applied leaves and surrounding central raised socket. Flowers and leaves wrapped around shaft and arms and applied to foot. Massive and sculptural. A hard-to-find solo stick in the fashionable Japonesque pattern that was first produced in 1880. Fully marked inc...
Very large Art Nouveau sterling silver picture frame. Rectangular window in flat surround engraved with dense and fluid scrolls and flowers. Top rail center is vacant. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged support. For portrait (vertical) display. An eye-catching showcase for an important forbear. Fully marked including no. 720 and stamp for IN Deitsch, a New York maker who was active from ca 1904 to 1915. Very good condition.
Dimensions: Frame: H 17 x W 14 1/2 in. Window: H 14 x...
A beautifully crafted vase from a studio potter in the hills of Iga, a few hours drive east of Kyoto. Iga-ware has quite a long history—by some accounts dating back to the 7th and 8th century—with the major kilns being established some time around the end of the 16th century. Similar in many ways to Shigaraki pottery, the glaze is the result of kiln ash being vitrified and melted on to the surface of the clay body at extremely high temperatures during firing, which can last many days. To add...
Exotic mixed metal tea caddy. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Sterling silver ginger-jar with squat and tapering sides, short neck, and snug-fitting cover. Copper ornament with irregular scrollwork. Fully marked including pattern no. 11975, director’s letter m, and phrase “Copper and Silver”. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 3 3/4 x D 3 3/8 in. Weight: 5.6 troy ounces. #BT602
If you are familiar with the work of Hiramatsu Ryoma you know that he creates very unconventional ceramics inspired by forms found in nature. Here we have a sake set he describes as “Ou-tekko” (pyrite) and “Ammonite” (same in English - a kind of sea fossil). Part of a series he has been developing, the ancient Ammonite fossil has been the inspiration behind his latest creations. Pyrite, meanwhile refers to the metallic patterning on the outer surface of the clay body. Truly unique pieces...
If you are familiar with the work of Hiramatsu Ryoma you know that he creates very unconventional ceramics inspired by forms found in nature. Here we have a set of sake cups he describes as “Ou-tekko” (pyrite) and “Ammonite” (same in English - a kind of sea fossil). Part of a series he has been developing, the ancient Ammonite fossil has been the inspiration behind his latest creations. Pyrite, meanwhile refers to the metallic patterning on the outer surface of the clay body. Truly uniqu...
Magnificent American Classical coin silver tureen. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1860. Curved ovoid bowl on stepped oval foot mounted to four beaded and round supports. Cover domed. Bowl rim has bold beading bordered by applied guilloche. On each end is cast satyr’s head with flamboyantly ribbed horns and slack jaw holding loose-mounted ring. Also cast is cover finial, a gentle herbivore quadruped standing on tooled grassy mound. Marked with maker’s and retailer’s (JE Caldwell) stamps a...
Pair of Japonesque sterling silver open salts. Made by John C. Moore for Tiffany & Co. in New York. Round with open rectangular bracket handles and straight foot. Engraved overlapping seals decorated with modish motifs, including fan, bug, vase, and bamboo. Foot decorated with acid-etched spirals and lunette-form flower heads, and pierced leaves. Union Square mark (1870-5) with pre-1875 pattern no. 3007 and order no. 901. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 1 7/8 x W 4 5/8 x D 3 3/8 in. Total w...
Lovely 14K gold and sapphire pin. Pierced floral wreath interspersed with 6 square-cut sapphires. United States, ca 1930s.
Diameter: 1 1/2 in. Weight: 3.9 dwt (6.1 g). #1182
English Egyptian-Revival 18K gold brooch with scarab, ca 1870. Winged sun with fluted and stepped form. Entwined and scaly serpent forms round and open center, inset with rotating double-sided carnelian scarab: On front is a carved beetle; on back the Roman God Mercury. Fine condition with beautifully toned patina.
Overall dimensions: H 7/8 x W 2 5/8 x D 3/8 in. Gross weight: 9.5 dwt. #1180
Gorgeous American Retro 18k yellow gold link bracelet, ca 1940s. A dense and interlocking design comprising 3 rows of rectangular links bordered by narrow ones. Satin finish. Fluid and slinky with a nice hang. Marked “750” and maker’s stamp. Fine condition.
Dimensions: H 3/16 x L 6 5/8 x W 1 1/8 in. Heavy weight: 63.1 dwt. #1176
Turn-of-the-century French Rococo gilt bronze and pink guilloche enamel picture frame. Rectangular window in same surround with beading and leaf-and-dart ornament. Window bordered by diaper with applied flowers and leaves, and open block corners over wraparound pink guilloche enamel. Floral wreath and ribbon crown with torch and quiver. With glass, silk lining, and hinged wire support. Very good condition apart from a few lines in enamel.
Dimensions: Overall frame: H 19 1/8 x W 13 3/4 in. Wind...
Seated in meditation with open and compassionate heart, this bodhisattva is on a spiritual journey, postponing his own salvation in order to remain on earth to help others achieve enlightenment. In contrast to some images of the Japanese Bodhisattva (Bosatsu), often depicted as austere and inward looking, here, Kimura depicts the Bodhisattva as playful, carefree, and decidedly ornate. The inverted image of white contrast dye on black silk also makes for a striking composition.
A mas...
An exceptional, pierced yellow gold slip-on bangle with floral design. For a smaller wrist, the inner diameter is 2-3/8" and it weighs 8 grams. It appears to be hollow and shows light wear on the inside band with a few very faint scratches and a very, very tiny indentation. Marked 14kt along with the Sloan hallmark.