Painted lacquerware in Asia is thought to have more than 3,000 years of history; originating in China and then later spreading to South East Asia, Korea, and Japan. One reason this craft has taken centuries to perfect is that the sap of the tree used is highly toxic and irritating to the skin and to the lungs. Even minor contact with the raw materials can cause serious issues, making collecting and refining it quite labor intensive. Additionally, once collected it takes on average 3-5 years for ...

Art Deco sterling silver box. Made by Harman Bros in Birmingham in 1990. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover flat and hinged. Corner bracket supports. Engine-turned ornament in plain frames on sides and cover top. Front side has applied rectangular plate (vacant). Cover top has engraved diagonal band with chevron in lower-right corner, and tooled ornamental border. Box and cover interior cedar lined. Box underside laminate-lined. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 2 5/...

Pretty Victorian sterling silver and enamel perfume vial. Made by Harrison Bros. & Howson in London in 1885, Tapering and curved body and hinged ball cover. On front enameled yellow flowers and green leaf. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 7/8 x W 1 x D 3 /4 in. Gross weight: 1 troy ounce. #BV900

Born the second son of Ryônyû, the 10th Raku Kichizaemon Tannyû took over the family kiln in 1811 at the age of 16 and served until his retirement and subsequent handing on of the title of Kichizaemon to his son-in-law Keinyû some 34 years later. Retaining many of the unique stylistic innovations of his father including his clay trimming technique, Tannyû went on to establish several new family kilns and to produce wares for both 10th and 11th Tokugawa Lords. The piece seen here is a classi...

Fresh and pretty turn-of-the-century Austrian Art Nouveau 800 silver casket. Rectangular with curved sides. Cover hinged and raised with scroll tab. Chased and engraved wrapround ornament with entwined and whiplash tendrils and flower heads. Rococo scrolled corner supports. Gilt-washed interior. Marks include maker’s stamp HS. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/4 x W 5 3/8 x D 4 in. Weight: 13 troy ounces. #BW139

Old-fashioned sterling silver and glass double jam jar, ca 1950. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1950. Two jars, each with straight and tapering sides and raised diaper and fern pattern. Sterling silver collars joined by mount with open and tapering swing handle. Shaped tubular cartouche (vacant) applied to handle top. Domed covers opened by lowering handle. Silver marked “Tiffany & Co. in New York”. Glass has Hawkes maker’s stamp.

Overall dimensions: H 6 3/4 x W 6 3/8 x D 3 1/...

Set of 8 Cactus sterling silver salt & pepper shakers. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. Each: Ovoid body on raised round foot. Four shakers have pierced cover with bead finial. The other four have single central spout. The cactus motif is tucked away on the body underside. Functional form and discreet ornament. Fully marked including postwar maker’s stamp and Gundorph Albertus designer’s stamp. Four shakers have no. 629 and 4 have no. 629A. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 3 1/4 x D 1...

Rare sterling silver punch ladle. Made by Spratling in Taxco, Mexico. Round hand-hammered bowl with curved spout. Mount has tooled bands and applied rope band and is inset with tapering stained-wood handle. An early piece by this maker. 1940s marks. Very good condition with beautiful patina.

Dimensions: H 13 x W 3 3/4 x D 1/4 in. Gross weight: 5 troy ounces. #BR829

Ca 1950 A wide copper cuff signed Renoir. It measures 2-7/8" in width and the inner diameter is 2" with a bit of give to open.

Chippendale sterling silver tray. Made by Frank W. Whiting in Gardner, Mass. Round with flat and scrolled Georgian piecrust rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern name, and no. 1864. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 1/4 x W 14 1/8 x D 13 5/8 in. Weight: 21.5 troy ounces. #BV659

Delightful Victorian sterling silver rattle. Made by WH Collins & Co. in Birmingham in 1897. Kitty stands stiffly in snug fitting jacket and trousers. Only the tail is free to flick back and forth. A funny depiction of feline ill grace. A bit of a sour puss, but endearing nonetheless. Mother of pearl handle. Fully marked. Good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 4 3/8 x W 1 1/2 x D 7/8 in. #BV513

La Rochelle silver dinner set for 12. Made by Tetard Frères in France. This set comprises 90 pieces (dimensions in inches):

Knives: 12 dinner knives (9 3/4) and 12 fish knives (8 1/8);

Forks: 12 dinner forks (8 1/4), 12 dessert forks (6 7/8), and 12 fish forks (6 7/8);

Spoons: 12 soup spoons (6 7/8) and 12 teaspoons (5 3/4);

Serving pieces: gravy ladle (6 7/8), spoon (8), sugar spoon (5 1/2), cold meat fork (9 5/8), butter spreader (6 1/2), and pie server (10 7/8).

Dinner knives, butt...

Turn-of-the-century French gilt bronze picture frame. Rectangular window in same surround with raised leaf-and-dart, imbricated leaf, and beaded borders. Red guilloche border and applied and pierced flower baskets, cornucopias, bouquets and shells. Ribboned and leafing rinceaux crown. With glass, silk lining and hinged easel wire support. For portrait (vertical) display. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H (overall) 12 1/8 x W 8 7/8 in. Window: H 7 1/8 x W 5 in. #SW13

Turn-of-the-century French gilt-bronze picture frame. Rectangular window in same surround with raised beaded, leaf, and guilloche borders and scallop shells applied over ribbon border in pink guilloche enamel. Wreath-and-ribbon crown. With glass, silk lining, and hinged easel wire support. For portrait (vertical) display. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H (overall) 14 3/4 x W 11 in. Window: H 9 x W 7 in. #SW16

Stunning American Edwardian platinum brooch, ca 1900. Barbell form with cylindrical pipe opal. Ends encrusted with rose-cut diamonds. Excellent condition.

Length: 2 1/8 in. #1197

Turn-of-the-century French gilt bronze picture frame. Rectangular window in same surround with raised leaf-and-dart, imbricated leaf, and beaded borders. Red guilloche border and applied and pierced flower baskets, cornucopias, bouquets and shells. Ribboned and leafing rinceaux crown. With glass, silk lining and hinged easel wire support. For portrait (vertical) display. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H (overall) 12 1/4 x W 8 3/4 in. Window: H 7 1/8 x W 5 in. #SW14

Here is an exceptional early creation by Georg Jensen USA designer, Laurence Foss. It features square lapis stones accented by sterling floral panels with a hint of goldwash at the buds. Signed L/F Sterling, it measures 7" x 5/8" and weighs 38.1gr.

A concave sterling bangle signed Hans Hansen Denmark 925S. For a smaller wrist and hand, it measures 2-1/4" ( inner diameter), is 1/4" wide and weighs 29.2gr.