Edwardian Classical sterling silver gravy boat on stand. Made by Dominick & Haff in New York in 1907. Boat has helmet mouth, leaf-capped high-looping handle, and 3 leaf-mounted scroll supports. Stand has oval well. Turned-down and irregular scrolled rims with chased leafing scrolls and applied scallop shells. Engraved interlaced script monograms. Fully marked including dated maker’s stamp, retailer’s (Bigelow, Kennard) stamp, and no. 2340. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Boat: H 5 1/2 x W...

Pair of Antique Russian Classical Silver Candlesticks, ca 1888. Each: Round socket; flared rim mounted with pierced and scalloped border. Baluster spool socket with floral garland knop and leaf flanges on domed foot mounted to square base. Chased and tooled leaf-and-dart ornament. Marks include assayer’s stamp (Josef Sosnkowski) dated 1888, city stamp (St Petersburg), and 84 alloy stamp (that is, 84/96 or 875 silver). Very good condition.

Dimensions (taller): H 14 x W 4 5/8 x D 4 5/8 in. To...

Edwardian Classical brilliant-cut glass water pitcher with sterling silver collar. Made by Wilcox (part of International) in Meriden, Conn., ca 1910. Baluster with c-scroll handle; ornament in form of leaf flutes, ferns, and stars. Beaded collar with helmet mouth; engraved interlaced script monogram. Silver marked “Sterling” with maker’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 9 1/4 x W 8 1/2 x D 5 1/2 in. #BZ300

This tall and lovely Hagi chawan rests firmly on a wari kodai or “split foot” pedestal that is unglazed—displaying the coarse rich clay. The crackled milky glaze covers the curves and contours of the bowl, contrasting dramatically between the foot and the clay body. Hagi-ware such as this is part of a tradition stretching back over 400 years and is a high-fired stoneware type of pottery. Hagi-ware is prized for its subdued colors and classical features, especially the glazing, ...

Midcentury Modern sterling silver decanter set. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Sterling silver frame with central pole on shaped base between two round and open wells. Pole has sliding mechanism with hinged hasp and bracket handle to which are mounted two decanter covers. The covers descend on two ovoid bottles with cut diaper ornament, and sterling silver collar. With lock and key.

Stand marked “Tiffany & Co. / Sterling Silver” and numbered S1625. Bottle collars marked “Sterling...

Set of 4 Edwardian sterling silver figural place card holders. Made by Levi & Salaman in Birmingham 1906. Each: Pair of perched owls with scrolled back clip; raised and round base. Wise birds standing ready to tamp down excessive dinner party levity. In leather-bound case with fitted velvet and silk lining with gilt retailer’s stamp (“Leighton / Lancaster”). Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 3/4 x D 1 1/2 in. Gross weight: 2.3 troy ounces. #BW863

A beautiful and very old Hagi tea bowl; showing signs of long use and appreciation. The gold repairs add to the overall composition and highlight the important role this piece played in someone’s tea practice. Though still functional to be used as a ceremonial implement, this would fit much better as a treasured display object.

In excellent condition this tea bowl is 5.1 inches in diameter at its widest point (13cm), and stands 3.1 inches tall (8cm). It comes with a pe...

Set of 4 Victorian Classical sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Hawksworth, Eyre & Co. Ltd in Sheffield in 1880. Each: Gadrooned urn socket with detachable bobeche mounted to stepped top of tapering and fluted pillar on raised square base. With one 4-light inset comprising central socket on wax pan to which are mounted 3 scrolled and reeded arms each terminating in same. Central socket has domed cover with vasiform finial. Low relief pendant flowers and garlands with ribbon and paterae. Beadi...

Striking Modern Classical sterling silver bowl. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Round and curved. Chased imbricated and graduated egg-and-dart ornament. Tactile with beautiful shimmer. Marked “Tiffany & Co. / Sterling / Portugal”. Excellent condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H 4 x D 8 3/4 in. Heavy weight: 26.5 troy ounces. #BZ340

This lovely Shino tea bowl fashioned from coarse Mino clay is covered in feldspar glazing, has a classic ferrous abstract painting across the front, and shows nice age—most likely from early to middle Edo.

Shino-ware dates to the Momoyama period when potters were attempting to recreate white porcelain-wares that were being imported from China at the time. Originally they were made in a single-chamber anagama style kilns set into the hillsides. Later, with the advent of large-batc...

Modern Classical sterling silver vase. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1913. Ovoid body with short inset neck and raised foot. Engraved and acid-etched stylized ornament: Imbricated leaf border on neck and egg-and-dart border on foot. Elongated leaf-and-dart on body. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 18564B (first produced in 1913), and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 10 3/4 x D 3 7/8 in. Weight: 17.3 troy ounces. #BZ520

Large Palm sterling silver sugar tongs. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1880. U-form. Each stem tapering with scallop shell jaw; fiddle terminal with low relief palm. A rare serving piece in the simplified Classical pattern designed by Edward C. Moore and first produced in 1871. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and director’s letter m (1869-75). Very good condition. Taut and springy.

Dimensions: H 6 1/4 x W 3/4 in. Weight: 2.2 troy ounces. #BZ588

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...

Beautiful turn-of-the-century red glass perfume with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence. Globular bottle with short neck and ball stopper. Classical rinceaux overlay and circular frame engraved with interlaced monogram. Maker’s stamp and no. D941. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 1/2 x D 3 1/4 in.#BT179

Pair of Edwardian Georgian sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1915. Each: Tapering shaft with base knop on stepped and raised foot. Socket has straight sides bellied bottom. Faceted. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 18910 (first produced in 1915), and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 9 x W 4 3/4 x D 4 1/4 in. Total weight: 21.5 troy ounces. #BY589

Charming Edwardian sterling silver picture frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Oval window in same flat surround. On front acid-etched daisy chain with dense leaf and flower arrangement; tubular cartouche (vacant). Sides plain with tooled linear borders. With glass, silk lining, and stained-wood back and hinged easel support. For portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 16401A, and director’s letter m. Excellent condition with strong defin...

Pair of Edwardian Georgian sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1915. Each: Tapering shaft with base knop on stepped and raised foot. Socket has straight sides and detachable bobeche. Faceted. Traditional form with showy gilding. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 18910 (first produced in 1915), and director’s letter m. Very good condition with nice toning.

Dimensions: H 9 x W 4 3/4 x D 4 1/4 in. Total weight: 15 troy ounces. #BW772

Edwardian Modern sterling silver basket. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Tapering and “squashed” ovoid body with flared mouth and spread foot. Reeded and tapering stationary handle. Graduated tubular piercing. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 16068 (first produced in 1904), and director’s C (1902-7). Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 8 1/4 x W 6 x D 3 in. Weight: 5.5 troy ounces. #BV570

Pair of Victorian Classical sterling silver open salts. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Each: Bellied bowl on 3 shell-mounted hoof supports. Repousse flowers and fronds. Everted rim with repousse scallop shells. Interlaced script monogram engraved on underside. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 4174, order no. 4997, and director’s letter T (1892-1902). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x D 2 1/2 in. Total weight: 3.4 troy ounces. #BZ171

Victorian Classical sterling silver paper knife. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1885. Serpentine and integral with hollow handle tapering into flat blade. Handle has allover floral repousse with feathered leaf border at bottom. Blade recto has acid-etched monogram with elongated, interlaced, and whiplash letters. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, director’s letter M (1873-91), and no. 730. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 10 x W 1 1/4 x D 3/4 in. Weight: 3 troy ounces. #BZ252...

A Zohiko covered rice bowl. Colorful leaf decoration sparsely applied on black ground with almost iridescent effect with gold and silver maki-e and red details. Zohiko mark in gold lacquer inside the bowl's foot rim. 20th century. Bowl diameter 5 1/16 inches (12.86 cm). The bowl has two small losses to the lacquer along the foot and one small loss to the rim. The cover is in good condition. The lacquer otherwise being in good condition with no distress or wear of note. Combine with other pieces ...

Chrysanthemum gilt sterling silver box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Traditional lobed and ovoid bowl with short and inset neck and splayed volute scroll supports. Cover hinged and domed with bud finial and plain and scrolled overhanging rim. Foot rim and supports applied with alternating flower head and leaf pattern. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 11133, and director’s letter T (1892-1902). Very good condition with nice toning.

Dimensions: H 4 5/8 x W 5 x D 4 in. ...

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...

Classic Midcentury Modern sterling silver vase. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. In form of abstract calla lily with asymmetrical mouth and irregular seam. Raised round foot. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, postwar pattern no. 23425, and director’s letter L (1956-ca 1965). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 12 1/8 x W 6 x D 4 1/2 in. Weight: 17.7 troy ounces. #BZ424

Edwardian Art Nouveau sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1907. Four curved and wavy sides with concave corners and molded rim. On exterior are acid-etched ogee frames (vacant) surmounted by dense leafing branches. Engraved monogram. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 17032C (first produced in 1907), and director’s letter m. Very good condition with strong definition.

Dimensions: H 3 1/2 x W 8 3/4 x D 8 3/4 in. Weight: 22.5 troy ounces. #BZ555

Large Edwardian Art Nouveau sterling silver basket. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1907. Bowl has solid center with engraved leaves and tendrils, surrounded by pierced interlaced scroll and leaf pattern heightened with engraving. Rim has molded c-scrolls interspersed with scallop shells. Foot solid and spread. Tapering c-scroll swing handle engraved with same. Fully marked including pattern no. 16976C (first produced in 1907) and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H...

Edwardian Modern sterling silver picture frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Rectangular window in same plain and flat surround; bottom rail canted. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 11878, and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 10 3/4 x W 8 in. Window: H 9 1/4 x W 6 1/2 in. #BY329

An excellent offering from Higaki Ryota of Katsura Kiln, this piece displays a classic and iconic shape coupled with a beautiful Kase-guro glaze said to be used over 400 years ago by Chojiro. The color of this tea bowl changes quite dramatically, taking on the characteristics of its environment; light and cheerful in direct and bright lighting, more austere, deep, and reflective in standard tea room lighting. Perfect for those venturing into the world of Raku tea-ware or for those lo...

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

During the Meiji period in Japan, the humble iron kettle, known as a "tetsubin," emerged as an iconic symbol of traditional craftsmanship and functional artistry. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and often adorned with intricate designs—as can be seen here with a cherry blossom motif and a what appears to be a pine-cone for a gripper—they became an essential tool in the Japanese tea ceremony. These kettles were prized not only for their practicality in boiling water bu...

Edwardian glass tobacco jar with sterling silver cover. Made by S. Kirk & Son Co. in Baltimore, ca 1910. Jar has curved sides with cut bead-and-reel fluting and short inset neck; star cut to underside; Cover curved with allover floral repousse on stippled ground. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1903-24) and no. 189. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7 3/4 x D 5 3/8 in. Weight (silver only): 4.8 troy ounces. #BZ221

Edwardian Neoclassical sterling silver covered urn. Made by Howard & Co. in New York in 1905. Ovoid bowl with high-looping leaf-mounted side handles; domed foot. Cover domed; top stepped with cast pineapple finial. Sides open with flutes and guilloche and egg-and-dart bands. Chased ribboned garlands on cover and foot. Beading. Detachable cobalt glass liner. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and year. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 14 1/2 x W 8 x D 5 3/8 in. Weight (silver only): 28.7 ...

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

Pair of American Edwardian Georgian sterling silver candlesticks, ca 1910. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Bellied socket with bobeche on tapering shaft mounted to domed foot. Ovoid, faceted, and reeded. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp and no. B12. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 9 1/2 x W 4 1/4 x D 3 3/8 in. Weighted. #BY789

French 950 silver inkwell on stand, ca 1910. Straight sides with vertically applied strapwork bands; curved bottom and raised foot. Cover hinged and domed with flower-head finial. Gadrooned rims. Interior has engraved curvilinear border and clear-glass liner. Mounted to oval curvilinear stand with ornamental border. Fully marked including maker’s stamp CG. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 5 x W 9 3/8 x D 5 7/8 in. Weight (without glass): 15.5 troy ounces. #BT381

Pair of English Neoclassical sterling silver 3-light candelabra. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1928. Each: Two leaf-wrapped arms, each terminating in single socket, wrapped around a central socket. Arms set in single socket mounted to tapering shaft on raised foot. Each socket tapering with detachable bobeche and wax pan. Faceted and reeded. Applied acanthus leaves on sockets and foot. Leaf-and-dart borders. Converts to candlestick. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 212...

Pair of English Neoclassical sterling silver 3-light candelabra. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1930. Each: Two leaf-wrapped arms, each terminating in single socket, wrapped around a central socket. Arms set in single socket mounted to tapering shaft on raised foot. Each socket tapering with detachable bobeche and wax pan. Central socket has cover with acorn finial. Faceted and reeded. Applied acanthus leaves on sockets and foot. Leaf-and-dart borders. Converts to candlestick. Fully marke...

Pretty Edwardian sterling silver basket with roses. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Circular well with flared sides and wide mouth. Sides have alternating solid and pierced trellis. Scrolled and wavy rim in form of flowering rose vine with both tight buds and full blooms. Stationary u-handle applied with graduated flower heads and split scroll mounts. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 16268 (first produced in 1904), and director’s letter C (1902-7). Very good condition.

...

Set of 12 Modern sterling silver goblets. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1940. Each: Conical bowl mounted to tapering stem; foot round and gently raised. Easy grip with nice balance. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and pattern no. 20168. Nine have order no. 11053 and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 1/4 x D 3 1/4 in. Total weight: 90 troy ounces. #BZ422

Classical coin silver baby cup. Made by Eoff & Connor, a partnership active in New York from 1833 to 1835. Bellied bowl with drum-form neck, flared rim, and capped s-scroll handle; raised and stepped foot. Shaped frame (vacant) with chased scrolling leaf surround, and leaf and flower bands. Foot has cast egg-and-dart border. Handwork visible on interior. Lovely with strong regional association. Marks include “J.H. Connor” and “G. Eoff” stamps. Very good condition with nice patina.

Over...

Victorian Classical sterling silver vase. Made by Mauser in New York, ca 1890. Narrow conical body between vertical acanthus leaves mounted to bottom; knop and raised round foot. Open irregular fruiting grapevine applied to turned-down mouth rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 11244. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 8 1/4 x D 5 7/8 in. Weight: 11.6 troy ounces. #BY541, BY542, BY544 & BY545

Set of 3 Chrysanthemum sterling silver butter pats. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Plain and round gilt well. Shoulder has rinceaux-style flower heads and tendrils. Rim scalloped. Engraved interlaced script monogram. Marked “Tiffany & Co. / Sterling / 925”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1/4 x D 3 1/2 in. Heavy total weight: 6 troy ounces. #BX135

The term “tenmoku” (heavens eye) refers both to a shape of tea bowl popularized in the Song Dynasty dating back almost 1,000 years, and also to a style of glaze that these pieces are renowned for. In the case of tea bowls themselves, the troughs often have darker coloration with radiating colored rays and, depending on the style, often resemble the iris of a human eye. In the case of the glaze, the individual oil spots that appear on the walls of the vessel can sometime also rese...

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 ...

Grande Imperiale sterling silver dinner set. Made by Mario Buccellati in Italy. This set comprises 48 pieces (dimensions in inches):

Forks: 8 dinner forks (8 5/8) and 8 salad forks (7);

Spoons: 8 tablespoons (8 1/2), 8 dessert spoons (6 7/8), and 8 ice cream spoons (5 1/4);

Knife: 8 dinner knives (9 3/4).

Dinner knives have stainless steel blades.

Complete with impressive sculptural heft.

All pieces fully hallmarked including maker’s stamp (“M. Buccellati”). Very good condition...

Pair of striking midcentury Classical coin silver ewers. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1860. Each: Ovoid bowl with helmet mouth and raised foot. On neck applied frieze with ring of Bacchic boys gripping drapery swags; below applied bead-and-reel border. High-rising handle with cast cupbearer mounted to volute terminal; bottom mount in form of male head in stylized leaf and scroll surround. On front engraved armorial in form of winged gryphon. Both have variant leaf-and-dart ornament. Not iden...

Set of 10 Art Deco sterling silver cocktail cups. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1915. Each: Cone on baluster mounted to round foot. Spare and functional. Nice balance for swishing the booze around. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 18885 (first produced in 1915) and director’s letter m. Seven have order no. 547 and three no. 9. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/8 x D 2 1/2 in. Total weight: 29 troy ounces. #BZ327

Set of 12 Midcentury Modern sterling silver cocktail cups. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Each: Curved conical bowl on tapering columnar stem with incised bands. Foot round and raised with applied cutout snowflake. A snowflake motif but not for snowflakes. These ones are for the grownups. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and postwar pattern no. 23411. One cup has director’s letter M (1947-56) and 11 have director’s letter L (1956-ca 1965). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 3/4...

Turn-of-the-century Belle Epoque 950 silver and mother of pearl fruit set. Made by Gustave Veyrat in France. This set comprises 24 pieces with 12 forks and 12 knives. Each: Mother of pearl handle with ornamented mounts and lobed oval terminal with bead. Silver is gilt and mother of pearl is tinted brown. In leather-bound case with silk lining and fitted velvet.

Fully marked with maker’s stamp and Minerva head. Case lining has gilt stamp for Monte Carlo retailer. Very good condition with nice...

Appearing to be from a 2006 excavation site in Tokyo known to be a former residence of the Owari Tokugawa clan—the most senior contingent of the Tokugawa clan that united Japan under one rule—this lovely Mishima tea bowl is one of just two I have seen appear on the Japanese art market over the years. The previous bowl also listed on our site had a large portion reconstructed with a gold repair. This piece meanwhile is entirely intact and even has its original box. Details about t...

Set of 10 Modern sterling silver bread and butter plates. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1912. Each: Round and deep well, wide tapering shoulder, and molded rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 18249 (first produced in 1912), and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1/4 x D 6 1/4 in. Total weight: 43 troy ounces. #BZ533

George V sterling silver picture frame. Made by William Comyns in London in 1912. Oval window in rectangular surround. Window border entwined with entwined with engraved and overlapping open ribbon with bows at top and bottom. A sweet way to “tie up” a special memory for posterity. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back with hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 8 1/4 x W 5 3/4 in. Window: H 6 7/8 x W 4 3/8 in. #BY19...

Austrian Classical 800 silver and glass vanity jar on stand, ca 1910. Jar clear glass with fluting. Cover silver; gently raised with beaded border. Stand oval with tapering sides and beaded rim. Marks include Schwarz & Steiner stamp and letters RS. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 2 1/2 x W 5 7/8 x D 4 3/8 in. Weight (silver only): 7 troy ounces. #BU140

Art Deco sterling silver tray. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1911. Round with soft faceting. A nice piece in the emerging geometric style. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 18072 (first produced in 1911), and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3/4 x D 14 3/8 in. Weight: 41 troy ounces. #BW625

Fiddle Thread & Shell sterling silver dinner and lunch set. Made by James Robinson in London, 1980-2000. This set comprises 61 pieces (dimensions in inches):

Forks: 12 dinner forks (8 1/8) and 12 luncheon forks (7);

Spoons: 12 soup spoons (7 1/8), 12 teaspoons (5 3/4), and 1 tablespoon (8 1/8);

Knives: 12 dinner knives.

Dinner knife blades stainless steel.

Traditional Georgian spanning the early Thatcher era to Tony Blair’s Cool Britannia.

All pieces fully marked including maker...

German Biedermeier Classical silver tray, ca 1860. Plain oval well. Sides have open border in form of leaves set in ovals. Cast leaf-and-dart rim on lined ground. A practical serving piece with lots of Mitteleuropa charm. Marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 3/8 x W 18 x D 12 3/4 in. Weight: 37 troy ounces. #BY866

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...

Going back over 1,300 years, Seto-ware has the distinction of being Japan’s oldest pottery tradition still active today. Made from the rich clay and silica of the region of production, Seto porcelain in particular has been highly prized throughout the history of Japan. The piece shown here can be described as Seto-guro (Black Seto) and is an excellent example of this type of pottery. The writing on the box describes it as being from Muromachi, so well over 400 years old. The form and compositi...

American sterling silver 5-basket garniture, ca 1890. Retailed by Bailey, Banks & Biddle in Philadelphia. There are 4 small baskets and 1 large basket. Each: Oval bowl with fixed c-scroll handle and raised oval foot. Open flowering scrollwork on rim and foot. Handle same. Bowl exterior engraved with flowers and scrolls. All baskets have silver-plated frog and 4 baskets have detachable silver-plated liner with loose-mounted rings. Perfect for floral arrangements or passing around treats. Fully ma...

Stemming from the philosophy of wabi-sabi—often described as the beauty found in the imperfection and transience of the world—cracks and repairs in a work of pottery are often seen as highlighting the history and importance of a ceramic object. Practitioners of tea in particular are fond of reminding us that works repaired with lacquer and gold such as the one featured here become more resilient and beautiful for having been damaged. In this case, the gold repairs undoubtedly enhance the bea...