American Colonial sterling silver bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1948. Curved and tapering sides, flared rim, and stepped foot. For serving or presentation with lots of room for engraving. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, date code, and no. 41660 as well as phrase “P. Revere / Reproduction”. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 4 1/2 x D 9 in. Weight: 23.6 troy ounces. #BX965
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, ...
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...
Japonesque mixed metal on sterling silver bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1881. Curved sides, molded rim, and foot rim. On exterior are applied vegetation rooted in granulated soil, a stray dragonfly, and solitary fisherman who has hooked a fish. Fully marked with maker’s stamp and “Sterling / 385 / N / & Other Metals”. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 1 7/8 x D 5 in. Gross weight: 5 troy ounces. #BV126
Victorian Classical coin silver baby cup, ca 1860. Baluster bowl with cast leaf-capped double-scroll handle and raised foot. Chased leaf and tendrils forming frame (vacant). Beaded and Greek key rims. Unidentified marks associated with Philadelphia and phrase “Pure Coin”. Very good condition with deep patina.
Overall dimensions: H 4 7/8 x W 4 1/2 x D 3 in. Weight: 6 troy ounces. #BX744
Set of 4 Federal-style sterling silver mint julep cups. Made by Spaulding & Co. (part of Gorham) in Chicago, ca 1920. Each: Straight and gently tapering sides and molded rims. A wonderful way to relax and reflect on the founding years of the Republic. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, no. 351, and phrase “Antique Reproduction / Originals of this Cup Were Made / About 1820 by C. Guiteau / for the Fairfax Family / of Virginia”. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 3 1/2 x D 3 in. Total ...
Edwardian crystal decanter with sterling silver stopper. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1897. Bell-form bowl with baluster neck, u-form spout, and c-scroll handle. Engraved and acid-etched flowers and leaves. Stopper ovoid with scrolls and flowers. Engraved interlaced script monogram. Stopper fully marked including date symbol and no. S2822. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 12 x D 5 1/4 in. #BD104
Japonesque mixed metal sterling silver bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1883. Curved sides with allover spot hammering and gilt-washed interior. Applied copper and silver ornament: Rim overhung with fruiting and leafing branch mounted to exterior with exploratory fly, and opposite, a bonsai branch. On side are cattails rooted in granulated soil with perched crane as well as dragonfly and butterfly. Three splayed supports. Fully marked with maker’s stamp, date letter, no. 1725, and phrase ...
Splashed across a beautifully textured backdrop of shimmering black, the willow leaves painted in silver bring with them a sense of calm and contemplation. Generously proportioned though not too heavy in the hand, the wide base ensures stability while the upward curvature of the sides breaks with convention and offers a unique and decidedly modern flair.
Born in Kyoto as the 4th son of a famous lacquer artist named Shogo, Banura Shiro (1941-2001) followed suit and went i...
Pair of Victorian cut-glass and sterling silver decanters. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1891. Each: Moon body with large stylized flower head on both sides and diaper and stars on front and back. C-scroll handle mounted to shoulder and cylindrical faceted neck. Repousse sterling silver collar and hinged and cork-lined cover. Silver fully marked including maker’s stamp, date symbol, and S830. Very good condition with deep patina.
Dimensions: H 8 3/8 x W 5 x D 3 3/8 in. #BV952
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...
Imperial Chrysanthemum sterling silver soup ladle. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1900. Tapering stem with waisted terminal and lobed round bowl. Dense ornament with flowers and leaves. Bowl interior gilt-washed with same. A nice serving piece in the late-comer Japonesque pattern, which was first produced in 1894. Fully marked including maker’s stamp. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 12 3/4 x W 4 x D 3 7/8 in. Weight: 8.2 troy ounces. #BY819
Occasionally while browsing through the temple markets of Kyoto or perusing backstreets tea-ware shops, an attractive piece will catch my eye for no particular reason. When this happens, I typically buy it immediately without hesitation, trusting that I will be able to place it to a specific period or kiln given enough time and research. In some cases however, this proves to be a fruitless task and I am left only to appreciate the beauty and form of the object without having access to too many d...
Bird’s Nest sterling silver egg spoon. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1880. Leafing twig stem and nest terminal lain with 3 eggs. Bowl elongated oval and gilt with monogram engraved on verso. Marks include maker’s stamp from last quarter of 19th century. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 4 1/2 x W 1 in. #BY578
Aesthetic sterling silver olive spoon. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1885. Cast stem with entwined leaf and olive. Shallow and pierced bowl with engraved leaves. At other end pick comprising graduated triangles. Butler finish. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 267. Very good condition with deep patina.
Dimensions: H 11 3/4 x W 1 x D 3/4 in. Weight: 2.2 troy ounces. #BZ228
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...
Victorian sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Globular bowl and drum-form neck with small lip spout; c-scroll handle with stylized flower-head mounts. Bowl has embossed border of imbricated leaves or chevrons, a bold motif popularly known as Wave Edge. Neck applied with same. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pre-1875 pattern no. 3077, and director’s letter M (1873-91). Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 7 3/8 x W 7 1/2 x D 6 in. Weight: 22 troy ounces. #B...
Art Nouveau glass perfume with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1900. Globular with short neck and everted rim in silver collar; ball stopper. Overlay in open stylized pattern with leafing tendrils and interlaced and whiplash scrolls; heraldic cartouche engraved with interlaced script monogram. Glass is red. Silver has Gorham maker’s stamp and no. D942. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 6 3/4 x D 4 in. #BZ505