Aesthetic coin silver baby cup. Made by Juergens & Andersen in Chicago. Tapering and inset sides engraved with stylized ornament, including swags and scrolls, centered on oval frame (vacant) bordered by beading and dentil interspersed with trefoils. Top and bottom have ornamental borders on ribbed ground. Thick scroll bracket handle. Marked “Coin” and “Chicago” with maker’s stamp (1857-71). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 3/8 x W 4 1/8 x D 3 in. Weight: 3 troy ounces. #BT449 ...

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

European silver sauce boat, ca 1900. Ovoid with fluted v-spout and scrolled monopodia side handles with lion heads. Molded curvilinear rim. Stepped oval foot. A nice revival piece in the 18th-century style. Mark and pseudo-marks. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 3 5/8 x W 6 1/8 x D 5 1/4 in. Weight: 9.5 troy ounces. #BM739

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

A beautifully crafted vase from a studio potter in the hills of Iga, a few hours drive east of Kyoto. Iga-ware has quite a long history—by some accounts dating back to the 7th and 8th century—with the major kilns being established some time around the end of the 16th century. Similar in many ways to Shigaraki pottery, the glaze is the result of kiln ash being vitrified and melted on to the surface of the clay body at extremely high temperatures during firing, which can last many days. To add...

If you are familiar with the work of Hiramatsu Ryoma you know that he creates very unconventional ceramics inspired by forms found in nature. Here we have a sake set he describes as “Ou-tekko” (pyrite) and “Ammonite” (same in English - a kind of sea fossil). Part of a series he has been developing, the ancient Ammonite fossil has been the inspiration behind his latest creations. Pyrite, meanwhile refers to the metallic patterning on the outer surface of the clay body. Truly unique pieces...

If you are familiar with the work of Hiramatsu Ryoma you know that he creates very unconventional ceramics inspired by forms found in nature. Here we have a set of sake cups he describes as “Ou-tekko” (pyrite) and “Ammonite” (same in English - a kind of sea fossil). Part of a series he has been developing, the ancient Ammonite fossil has been the inspiration behind his latest creations. Pyrite, meanwhile refers to the metallic patterning on the outer surface of the clay body. Truly uniqu...

Magnificent American Classical coin silver tureen. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1860. Curved ovoid bowl on stepped oval foot mounted to four beaded and round supports. Cover domed. Bowl rim has bold beading bordered by applied guilloche. On each end is cast satyr’s head with flamboyantly ribbed horns and slack jaw holding loose-mounted ring. Also cast is cover finial, a gentle herbivore quadruped standing on tooled grassy mound. Marked with maker’s and retailer’s (JE Caldwell) stamps a...

Turn-of-the-century French Rococo gilt bronze and pink guilloche enamel picture frame. Rectangular window in same surround with beading and leaf-and-dart ornament. Window bordered by diaper with applied flowers and leaves, and open block corners over wraparound pink guilloche enamel. Floral wreath and ribbon crown with torch and quiver. With glass, silk lining, and hinged wire support. Very good condition apart from a few lines in enamel.

Dimensions: Overall frame: H 19 1/8 x W 13 3/4 in. Wind...

Conceived by 20th century master ceramicist Kawai Kanjiro—here an abstract depiction of flowers is used to adorn an exquisite “henko” shaped vase. The glaze used is known as “tetsu-yu” for its use of iron compounds to achieve this distinctive look. Though many pieces by Kanjiro remain today, this exact combination of style, shape, and glazing is uncommon, making this a must-have work for serious collectors. Interestingly, though it may likely not have been intentional, the abstract sym...

Seated in meditation with open and compassionate heart, this bodhisattva is on a spiritual journey, postponing his own salvation in order to remain on earth to help others achieve enlightenment. In contrast to some images of the Japanese Bodhisattva (Bosatsu), often depicted as austere and inward looking, here, Kimura depicts the Bodhisattva as playful, carefree, and decidedly ornate. The inverted image of white contrast dye on black silk also makes for a striking composition.

A mas...

Yuzo Kondo is one of the more recognized names in the world of modern Japanese pottery of the 20th century. Though known mainly for his sometsuke creations (blue and white porcelain), he did not settle on this style until well into his potting career that lasted over seven decades. The piece shown here then would be from an earlier period and is evidence of his competency with varied styles and glazes—not just the one he is most well-known for. As any experienced potter will tell you, tenmoku ...

Over 400 years ago the first Takatori potter known as “Hachizan” was brought to Japan by the powerful Kuroda clan and was tasked with establishing a kiln in the town of Fukuoka. Since that time, the Takatori lineage has produced many fine works and gained a reputation across Japan for their skill at producing porcelains of thin construction, using many layers of glaze, and with a variety of unique colorations.

Born in 1907, the 11th generation Takatori potter (Seizan), along wit...

The artist who produced this piece, Wataru Motomura, prides himself in living a traditional life in the eastern hills of Kyoto—long known for its rich clay and idyllic pastoral lands. Though the form of this vessel appears innovative and modern, the techniques and materials used to produce it have been around for many hundreds of years. Taking inspiration from the varied pottery traditions of his native Hyogo, Motomura is also known to use clay and methods from the Shigaraki region and many of...

A truly unique work of Shino pottery developed among the company of some of Japan’s most respected and influential potters of the last century. Defying conventions of form and genre, this exceptional mizusashi looks like it could have emerged from the ground fully formed, the result of geological processes lasting millennia. The creator of this fine work is none other than Tsuboshima Dohei, a true master of the ceramic arts.

Born in 1929, at the age of 17 Tsuboshima took an appre...

Early red glass silver overlay perfume. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1886. Globular with short neck and flat everted rim. Ball stopper. Dense and engraved overlay with scrolls and flowers. A concentrated design with small reveals of the glass. Scrolled cartouche engraved with scrolled monogram. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, patent year 1886, and no. S684. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 1/4 x D 3 1/2 in. #BT177

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...

German 800 silver wine trolly nef, ca 1920. A 3-mast galleon with billowing sales and complicated rigging. Gun ports open and cannons ready to fire. Lots of deck action, too with fighting swordsman and fallen sailors. Holds a special cargo because wood-style hull is a wine trolly. Figurehead spigot with threaded plug, and dolphin side mounts with rotating wheels for cruising across the table. Gives new meaning to the expression “getting sloshed”. Memorable dinner party guaranteed.

Hana...