Dating from the 17th century, Kutani-ware is a type of fine porcelain that takes its name from the region from which it originates—the name literally means “nine valleys.” In sharp contrast to many other styles of Japanese ceramics which tend towards more modest color palettes, Kutani-ware are known for their vibrant red enameles, gold trimming, and complementary greens, yellows, and blues. This set of tokkuri is painted with a common hanging-lantern ornamental pattern known as youraku. Th...

Fin-de-siecle Classical sterling silver loving cup. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Urn-form with bellied bottom. Three leaf-capped and mounted scroll handles. In relief are men and women, nude with legs merging into leafing scrolls, their embraces abetted by cherubic cup bearers. Subdued eroticism on stippled ground with fruiting grapevines. Reeded foot with stylized egg-and-dart rim and three leaf-and-scroll mounted paw supports. Gilt-washed interior.

At top engraved presentation: “Samu...

Pair of German silver birds, ca 1920. A rooster and hen with downturned wings and flamboyant flouncy tails. The rooster has a shaggy crown and raised talon and looks down while the hen, who has a small trim crown and scaly wattles, looks up. Cawing beaks suggest a barnyard tiff. Marked. Very good condition Gilt wash traces.

Dimensions: Rooster: H 6 x L 6 1/2 x W 2 1/2 in. Hen: H 4 3/4 x L 6 3/4 x W 2 1/2 in. Total weight: 10.6 troy ounces. #BZ417

Stemming from the philosophy of wabi-sabi—often described as the beauty found in the imperfection and transience of the world—cracks and repairs in a work of pottery are often seen as highlighting the history and importance of a ceramic object. Practitioners of tea in particular are fond of reminding us that works repaired with lacquer and gold such as the one featured here become more resilient and beautiful for having been damaged. In this case, the gold repairs undoubtedly enhance the bea...

Belle Epoque Rococo 950 silver jardiniere centerpiece, ca 1900. Bombe oval bowl with wide and tapering rim. Embossed twisted fluting and applied round frames (vacant) with scallop shell crown supported by winged cherubs. Elaborate end handles, each with cast figure of lunging cherub, holding drapery in one hand and flowers in the other, between leaf-wrapped double-scrolls. Four leaf-mounted scroll supports. A sumptuous homage to the 18th century. Detachable brass liner. Fully marked including Mi...

Danish Biedermeier Gothic Troubadour silver hunting horn on stand, 1855.

Horn has two applied bands with leafing scrollwork and cast green man applied to front. At top a third band with mandolin-strumming maidens and coat of arms-bearing pages in cloister colonnade. Cover domed with leaf-mounted cast figural finial in form of winged Classical man in drapery and helmet pouring wine into a cup. Tail cap has acanthus leaf border with cast owl finial. Gilt-washed interior.

Shaped stand with stra...

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...

This scroll contains a sutra written as [寿至蓬莱不老僊], pronounced in Japanese as “Jyu-Ita-Hōrai-Furō-Sen.” Originating from Chinese, the characters “蓬莱” refer to the mythical land of “Penglai,” home to the immortals. According to legend the trees that grow here cure all disease; there are rice bowls and flasks of wine that never go empty; and its great castles are built entirely out of gold and silver.

The brushwork is done by a Rinzai sect m...

Several years ago we were invited by our very talented kintsugi craftsman to what is known as a “kura-ake” or storehouse opening. Many reading this may be familiar with the traditional storehouses in Japan (kura) with their thick plaster walls used to store valuable items—sometimes for hundreds of years—safe from humid air, insects, and the like. On occession, after the passing of a parent or relative, these storehouses are opened up and the art pieces and valuables inside ar...

Over the years we have taken a special interest in Raku-ware and especially in works produced by the Tamamizu kiln, such as the 300+ year old ceremonial tea bowl seen here. The first in this line of potters was Yahē (1662 - 1722), an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (1615 - 1768) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho). Though he is the first potter of this branch, he is sometimes referred to as Tamam...

German Rococo 930 silver sweet meat coach. Imported to England by David Bridge in 1894. A round coach harnessed to a prancing reindeer with large antlers. A trumpet-blowing cherub holds the reins, and two more cherubs support an armorial in strapwork frame. Chased scenes depicting pastoral landscapes and frolics. Wheels rotate for a quick journey around the table. Fully marked including Hanau maker’s marks and English import marks, including London assay stamp. Very good condition.

Overall d...

Danish Modern sterling silver box. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged and raised with flat border. Square corner supports. Fully marked including maker’s (1945-77) and designer’s (Harald Nielsen) stamps, and no. 827. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 7/8 x W 8 1/8 x D 3 1/2 in. Heavy weight: 17.5 troy ounces. #BZ773

Modern sterling silver box. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. Rectangular; straight sides bisected by wraparound rectilinear band. Corner bracket supports. Cover flat and hinged with stepped rim. Midcentury Danish design by Harald Nielsen. Fully marked including Georg Jensen & Wendel maker’s stamp (ca 1945-51), which was limited to wares sold in Copenhagen, and designer’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x W 6 1/4 x D 3 1/4 in. Weight: 15 troy ounces. #BZ775

Modern sterling silver box. Made by Georg Jensen in Denmark. Rectangular with wraparound reeded sides and inset corner bracket supports. Cover flat and hinged with rectangular and gently curved tab. Between-the-Wars Classicism. A made-in-Denmark Swedish design by the Duke of Uppland (that is, Sigvard Bernadotte). Fully marked including maker’s (1933-44) and designer’s stamps, and no. 712. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 7/8 x W 5 1/4 x D 3 1/2 in. Weight: 8.8 troy ounces. #BZ776...

Modern sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1907. Ovoid body, stepped foot, short neck, and helmet mouth; soft bracket handle with trefoil shaped tail mount. A spare full-bodied vessel. Nice heft. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 16974 (first produced in 1907), director’s letter m, and volume (4 pts). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 8 1/4 x W 7 1/2 x D 5 1/8 in. Weight: 28.5 troy ounces. #BZ676

Modern sterling silver hinged double picture frame. Each: Rectangular window in plain and flat surround. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support. Fully marked including stamp for Web Silver Co., a Philadelphia maker active from the 1950s to 1970s. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Each frame: H 10 1/4 x W 8 1/8 in. Each window: 8 7/8 x W 6 7/8 in. #BZ723

Set of 12 Modern sterling silver place card holders. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Each: Folded disc with turned down front mounted to round base. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x W 1 x D 3/8 in. Total weight: 3 troy ounces. #BZ695

Elizabeth II sterling silver box. Made by Padgett & Braham Ltd in Birmingham in 1980. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged and tabbed; on top stand a horse and jockey in a faint surround suggestive of a cloud (of dust?). Box interior cedar-lined and partitioned. Box underside leather lined. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 x L 8 1/8 x D 3 5/8 in. Gross weight: 19 troy ounces. #BZ737

Edwardian Georgian sterling silver mug. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1916. Baluster bowl with leaf-capped double-scroll handle and round stepped foot. Large with nice heft and plenty of room for engraving. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and pattern no. 19191 (first produced in 1916). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 1/4 x W 5 3/4 x D 3 3/4 in. Weight: 12.5 troy ounces. #BZ554

Large turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau glass cologne bottle with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence. Globular with everted rim in silver collar. Ball stopper with short plug. Loose and interlaced silver scrollwork with flower heads in open and symmetrical pattern. Shaped cartouche engraved with interlaced script monogram. Glass is green. Silver has maker’s stamp and no. D946. Fine condition.

Dimensions: H 8 1/4 x D 4 3/8 in. #BZ663

Enryakuji Temple, Hiyeizan (Hieizan), Kyoto.
Artist not identified.
Dated August 21st, 1937.
Size: 7.5 x 5375 inches (19 x 13.6 cm).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print as the cover of a dinner menu of the Nippon Yusen Line passenger ship, Chichibu Maru.
Publisher: Likely Nippon Mokuhan Co. Tokio (Japan Woodblock Co. Tokyo), who produced another of our ship menu woodblock prints.
Medium: Japanese shin-hanga woodblock print made from a carved wood block. Mechanization w...

Sabra Field (American, born 1935)
Going Home
Date: ca 1980 (as noted on separate board)
Paper size: 13 x 8.5 inches.
Image size: 9.5 x 5 inches.
Medium: Woodcut print.
Condition: Light scuff on mountain.

Japanese silver centerpiece bowl, ca 1900. Round and curved. Flat mouth rim with long and low scallops. Raised and spread foot. Applied iris flowers with loose and crisscrossing tendrils and stems in eddying water. Foot has cutout flower heads and engraved wraparound tendrils. Gorgeous period motif on spot-hammered ground. Double-walled. Meiji-era Art Nouveau centerpiece for the cosmopolitan West. Marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 8 3/4 x D 12 3/4 in. Weight: 78 troy ounces. #BZ691 ...

American Midcentury Modern sterling silver picture frame. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Rectangular window in wide and flat surround. With glass, paper lining, and wood laminate back for portrait (vertical) or landscape (horizontal) display. Liner has retailer’s stamp. Frame fully marked including retailer’s stamp, no. 53, and phrase “Hand Made”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 12 x W 10 in. Window: H 10 x W 8 in. #BZ570

Pair of George III sterling silver goblets. Made by Henry Chawner in London in 1793. Ovoid bowl on cylindrical stem flowing into raised foot. Bowl underside and foot rim reeded. Bowl interior gilt. Spare Neoclassical form that works on traditional and Modern tables. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 7/8 x D 3 1/4 in. Total weight: 14 troy ounces. #BZ791

Edwardian Regency sterling silver box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1909. Oval with straight sides. Cover hinged and tabbed; top overhanging with chased patera; center (vacant) has bead-and-reel border, radiating flutes, and stylized flowerheads. Interior has traces of gilt wash. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 17518 (first produced in 1909), and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 3/4 x W 5 1/4 x D 3 3/8 in. Weight: 5.8 troy ounces. #BZ517...

Edwardian Classical sterling silver picture frame. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1909. Rectangular window with concave border and molded rim. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support for landscape (horizontal) display. Perfect for a special wide-angled shot with room for everyone. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, no. B3936, and date symbol. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 8 1/2 x W 11 3/4 in. Window: H 6 3/4 x W 9 7/8 in. #BZ575

German silver figural dog stirrup cup, ca 1920. Cast bust of spaniel with long snout, resolutely closed mouth, and direct, concentrated gaze as well as floppy ears and thick fur. Mounted to plain and upward tapering bowl. A loyal hunt companion. Marked with maker’s stamp “Föhr” (probably, Eduard Foehr) and old-fashioned “13” (that is, 13/16 loths or 812 silver). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 3/4 x D 3 5/8 in. Weight: 8 troy ounces. #BZ714

Modern sterling silver mini martini shaker, ca 1930. Straight and tapering sides, curved shoulder, and short neck with snug-fitting bun cover. Spout diagonal with chained ball cap for secure shaking. Handy small size for stylish solo drinking. Fully marked including New York maker’s stamp (Currier & Roby), Boston retailer’s stamp (Shreve, Crump & Low), and no. 6711L. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7 x W 4 1/4 x D 3 3/8 in. Weight: 7.2 troy ounces. #BZ687

Large Palm sterling silver sugar tongs. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1880. U-form. Each stem tapering with scallop shell jaw; fiddle terminal with low relief palm. A rare serving piece in the simplified Classical pattern designed by Edward C. Moore and first produced in 1871. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and director’s letter m (1869-75). Very good condition. Taut and springy.

Dimensions: H 6 1/4 x W 3/4 in. Weight: 2.2 troy ounces. #BZ588

George V sterling silver picture frame. Made by William Comyns in London in 1912. Oval window in rectangular surround. Window border entwined with entwined with engraved and overlapping open ribbon with bows at top and bottom. A sweet way to “tie up” a special memory for posterity. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back with hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 8 1/4 x W 5 3/4 in. Window: H 6 7/8 x W 4 3/8 in. #BY19...

Art Nouveau sterling silver table mirror. Made by William B. Kerr in Newark, ca 1910. Oval glass in rectangular surround. On front acid-etched ornament with dense and fluid leafing scrolls and berries; sides plain. With velvet back and hinged easel support for vertical display. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and indistinct number. Very good condition with strong definition.

Large dimensions: Frame: H 18 x W 14 5/8 in. Window: 14 3/4 x W 11 1/2 in. #BX553

Midcentury Modern gilt sterling silver flowerpot. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Two blossoms with overlapping, ready-to-bloom petals and leaves on stem planted in a bucket filled with granulated quartz. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and postwar pattern no. 24061. Very good condition with nice toning.

Overall dimensions: H 4 1/2 x W 2 3/8 x D 1 5/8 in. Weighted. #BZ650

Swedish Neoclassical 830 silver serving bowl, 1932. Ovoid bowl with high-looping end handles and raised foot. Engraved leaf-and-dart mouth rim. Pierced colonnade foot rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (G. Graumann) and date code. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 3 3/4 x L 11 x W 4 3/4 in. Weight: 8.7 troy ounces. #BZ125

Pair of Victorian sterling silver goblets. Make by Elkington & Co. Ltd in Birmingham in 1860. Each: Ovoid bowl on knopped stem; raised foot. Chased and engraved horse scenes. On one, mounted horses amble through the countryside. On the other, it’s a race to the finish with raised whip, the grandstand in the background. Victor’s wreath grapevine frame engraved with interlaced script monogram. Tooled and beaded borders. Gilt-washed interior. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6...

Midcentury Modern sterling silver box. Made by Poole in Taunton, Mass. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with curved top. Cast corner bracket supports in form of Classical colonnade. Box interior cedar lined. Open leather-lined underside. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 15. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 1 3/4 x W 4 x D 3 3/4 in. Gross weight: 7.7 troy ounces. #BZ618