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...
Unusual Antique Russian 875 silver sugar tongs. Stepped and rectilinear frame; jaws trapezoidal with raised diaper interior. Marked. Condition: Taut and functional.
Dimensions: H 5 1/2 x W 3/4 in. Weight: 2.5 troy ounces. #BR772
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...
Set of 6 Japanese Meiji silver cast figural knife rests, ca 1910. Each: A horned and taloned dragon with arched back and fan tail. Scaly, scampering serpents for the next dinner party. Unmarked. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 1 x L 2 3/4 x W 5/8 in. Total weight: 5 troy ounces. #BY235
Edwardian Classical gilt sterling silver jewelry box. Made by Ahrendt & Kautzman in Newark, ca 1910. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with tapering tab and gently curved top. Acid-etched leafing scroll borders. Velvet-lined interior. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (Theodore B. Starr) stamps and no. 671. Very good condition with nice toning.
Dimensions: H 3 1/8 x W 8 3/8 x D 5 1/2 in. Gross weight: 25.3 troy ounces. #BX772
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...
German Rococo 800 silver casket, ca 1900. Rectangular with straight sides and sharp corners. Cover hinged with curved top. Chased scenes of frolicking cherubs in nature. Hanau marks. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 1 5/8 x W 2 1/2 x D 1 3/8 in. Weight: 1.8 troy ounces. #BZ624
Art Deco sterling silver and enamel box. Made by Harman Brothers in Birmingham in 1972. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged and tabbed; top gently curved with rectangle (vacant) surrounded by purple guilloche enamel. Interior cedar lined. Laminate-lined bottom. Fully marked. Good condition with strong and intact color. A few pings to cover.
Dimensions: H 1 5/8 x W 4 1/2 x D 3 3/8 in. Gross weight: 10.6 troy ounces. #BW001
Edwardian Regency sterling silver box. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1917. Square with straight sides. Cover hinged with gently curved top and scrolled top. Allover engine-turned wave ornament on box sides and cover top, which also has engraved garland and wreath (vacant) with pendant flowers; cover sides plain with pointille borders. Interior velvet lines. Perfect for jewelry and keepsakes. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, date symbol, no. 7113, and letter R. Excellent condition.
Ove...
Two pairs of German 800 silver 2-light candelabra. Made by M. H. Wilkens & Söhne in Germany, ca 1890. Each: tapering pillar on raised foot with spread c-scroll supports. Garland-entwined figure mounted to pillar top. On two, a bosomy, drapery-clad caryatid; on other two, a naked atlantes. Soft youthful flesh that contrasts with the statuary pillar. Each figure holds a stem with two open and scrolled branches terminating in single socket. Fluid and dynamic Art Nouveau mixed with frothy Rococo. ...
French Belle Epoque Classical 950 silver gravy boat on stand, ca 1910. Boat has ovoid bowl with helmet mouth and raised oval foot with imbricated leaf rim. High-looping and split leaf-mounted handle with armorial engraved in beaded oval frame. Stand oval with open well and four trefoil supports. Both have stippled tubular frames alternating with stylized flower heads. Reeding. Fully marked with Minerva head and maker’s stamp (Alphonse Dutac). Very good condition.
Dimensions: Boat: H 6 x W 8...
Turn-of-the-century French Belle Epoque Classical 950 silver gravy boat on stand. Oval bowl with curved sides and elongated end spouts. Side handles entwined and split-mounted with leaves and flowers. Stepped oval foot mounted to stand with oval well and reeded and serpentine rim. Armorial engraved on stand shoulder. Marks include unidentified maker’s stamp and Minerva head. Very good condition.
Overall dimensions: H 4 1/4 x W 10 1/2 x D 7 in. Weight: 20 troy ounces. #BX235
German sterling silver place card holders. This set comprises 8 holders in 3 designs. One holder features an elegant courtly couple executing a cozy minuet. Three holders feature spirited country jiggers. Four holders feature entwined Bacchic babes, and are gilt. Marked “Sterling” and “Germany”. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 1 3/4 x W 1 1/2 x D 1 in. Total weight: 2.7 troy ounces. #BQ399
Gorgeous French Belle Epoque Rococo 950 silver and crystal decanter, ca 1890. Crystal baluster bowl with acid-etched leafing and flowering branches and wavy bands. Silver mounts with dynamic wave and scrollwork, shells, and leaves. Cover hinged with fish-mouth spout and scallop shell thumb rest. High-looping leaf-capped handle. Four scroll supports. Minerva head mark. Very good condition with deep patina.
Dimensions: H 12 5/8 x W 6 1/2 x D 4 1/2 in. #BX727
Belle Epoque Classical 950 silver wine bottle holder. Made by Odiot in France, ca 1890. Open body comprising two rectilinear supports mounted to round bowl with straight sides. Conical neck with adjustable screws. Leaf-capped double-scroll handle. Meandering fruiting grapevine on stippled ground. Perfect for enjoying a special vintage. Note: The bowl is smallish, so the best fit is going to be one of the really old bottles down in the cellar. Fully marked with Minerva head and maker’s stamp....
European silver flagon after the antique, late 19th century. Tapering bowl with curved front and back Tapering sides and curved front and back on spread and ribbed rectangular foot. Rectilinear neck with flat top. Round and domed cover with same ribbing and finial chained on both sides to ribbed rings loose-mounted to applied Classical satyr’s heads. Engraved Renaissance figures on front and armorial on back; leafing scrollwork and birds. Marked. Very good condition with deep patina.
Dimens...
European silver fish-form spice box, 19th century. Hinged head and lower mouth, and faceted red eyes. Articulated and scalloped wide body, and hinged fins and tail. Loose-mounted ring. Unmarked. Very good condition with deep patina.
Overall dimensions: H 1 5/8 x L 3 1/8 x D 1 7/8 in. #BS513
Equestrian-themed silver tankard with German imperial association, ca 1875. Straight and paneled sides with low-relief frieze depicting galloping riders, racing through the countryside, trees and buildings in the background; branch borders. Split-mounted s-scroll handle with thumb rest. At bottom applied branch and leaf border and open supports. Cover hinged and bellied with imbricated leaf rim; on top is cast finial in form of mounted jockey and engraved phrase citing Kaiser Wilhelm I in an all...