Victorian ring in platinum on 18k gold with rose-cut diamonds and rubies in crisscross design. England, ca 1880. Hallmarked. Excellent condition.

Size: 4 1/2. Weight: 2.1 dwt (3.2 g). #1221

Large Dutch silver cow creamer, 1910. A sweet beast with stocky body on slender legs and delicate hoofs. Head quizzically turned to side with flexed ears, sharp horns, red cabochon glass eyes, and gaping mouth spout. Flicked back tail handle and hinged back cover. Appears to be unmarked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7 1/4 x L 10 3/8 x W 3 3/8 in. Weight: 19.5 troy ounces. #BX771

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

German 800 silver cigarette case, ca 1910. Rectangular and hinged with curved corners. On cover are enameled sin symbols: Women (opera girl), wine (champagne), and gambling (cards and ponies). Three vices – but smoking is not among them. Marks include maker’s stamp (Louis Kuppenheim) and no. 130. Very good condition with intact color.

Dimensions: H 3 1/2 x W 3 1/4 x D 3/8 in. Gross weight: 4.3 troy ounces. #BX884

Twelve French Classical 950 silver plates. Made by Jean-Baptiste Gustave Odiot in Paris, ca 1870. Round well and shoulder with shaped frames; serpentine guilloche rim. Engraved armorial with Latin motto “Non sine labore”. The super sumptuous set to bring out when the book club gets round to Proust. Fully marked with Minerva head and maker’s stamp. Ten numbered 2690 (2), 3670 (1) 7225 (5), 7328 (1), 7329 (1). Very good condition with minor fire scale in well.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x D 10 5/8 ...

A technique most commonly seen in Tenmoku tea bowls, “konoha” is accomplished by applying a coating to an actual leaf and then attaching the leaf to the surface of an artwork before firing. The exact details of this process seem somewhat murky as it appears to be a well-guarded secret among potters. After some research we were unable to identify the potter; and, although there is a signature on the bottom that appears to read “Raishō,” we could find no potter by this name. R...

At various times over the long history of tea practice in Japan, Korean-ware has come into high fashion and ships full of the finest ceramics from the neighboring country were brought to its shores. Such pieces have long been favored by learned cha-jin (tea people); and, older pieces such as this are quite prized today as relatively few from this era have survived in good condition. While it is possible this piece is of Japanese origin, its apparent age would make it more likely to h...

Here we have a beautiful scroll with a mounted letter penned by famed Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa (1763-1828) who is known as one of the 4 great haiku poets of Japan along with the likes of Bashō, Buson, and Shiki. As one might expect, Kobayashi’s life was one of turbulence punctuated by several tragedies including the death of his mother at an early age and a lengthy legal battle with his step-mother over the family inheritance after the death of his father. Through it all Kobay...

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...

A collectible Scandinavian gold and amethyst pin by Kippittan Kulta of Finland. The pin is stamped with the anvil mark 585 Finland and measures 2 1/4" x 1-1/4". Weight 3.6gr.

Victorian Classical coin silver baby cup. Made by Wood & Hughes in New York, ca 1860. Curved and tapering bowl. Flared rim and spread foot with leaf-and-dart border on lined ground. Scroll bracket handle with quatrefoil mounts. Heart-shaped leafing scroll frame (vacant) surrounded by tendrils and flowers. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 4. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 3/4 x W 4 3/8 x D 3 1/8 in. Weight: 4.4 troy ounces. #BX724

German 800 silver box, ca 1910. Oval and lobed. Cover hinged and raised with scroll tab. Sides have chased and engraved fruits and foliage on stippled ground in curvilinear frames alternating with plain lobes. Cover top same with beaded frames. Gilt-washed interior. Marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 1/4 x W 7 x D 5 1/2 in. Weight: 13.7 troy ounces. #BX430

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....

Austrian Classical gilt-washed 800 silver box, ca 1875. Ovoid and bellied on plain inset foot. Cover hinged and domed with cast figural finial: A little girl sits cross-legged and barefoot and rests her hand on the back of a hungry animal while spooning sustenance into its mouth. Engraved ornament: Leafing rondels inset with heads alternating with same shaped frames (vacant) on engine-turned border. Shoulder has leaf-and-dart border and cover top leaf-and-patera border. Fully marked including ...

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...

German Classical silver beaker cup, 18th century. At top leafing scrollwork and scallop shells; at bottom twisted leaf-and dart border. Ornament chased and heightened with engraving. Interior gilt washed. Maker’s mark comprising letters S and I. Condition: Minor dent on bottom otherwise very good with excellent patina.

Dimensions: H 3 3/4 x D 3 in. Weight: 3 troy ounces. #BX624

Also known as "The Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Life,” here in this pre-Edo Buddhist painting we see Amida and his two assistant bodhisattvas, Seishi on the left (associated with wisdom and strength), and Kannon on the right (associated with compassion and mercy), descending from the Western Pure Land to welcome newly deceased believers into the realm of paradise. In this practice known as raigō, the faithful are transported via the small lotus pedestal the Kannon holds in his...

Although reports vary, it is generally thought that Zeze-yaki had its heyday in the late Momoyama to early Edo period under the influence and patronage of legendary artists/ men of tea, Honami Koetsu and Kobori Enshu. It was also counted among the seven best kilns selected by Enshu Kobori (1579-1647), a tea master and military commander of that era. In the mid-1600s the tradition died out for a time after the destruction of the kiln by fire. The kiln was later resurrected on two occa...