Charming rectangular Shakudo brooch with gold and silver detail featuring a laughing man. The brooch is braced by a 12K gold mount. Made in Japan. Meiji era, ca. 1880. Excellent condition with fine patina.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x L 1 7/8 in. #1119

Geisha and Lanterns
Date: Early postwar
Print size: Approximately 6.75 x 3 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Seal at lower left.
A Japanese woodblock print tipped along its top edge to a filled out holiday card.
Condition: Tiny spotting in the yellow.

American Colonial sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany in New York, ca 1920. Bowl has curved sides and straight circular foot. Spare historic design that works equally well in Modern interiors. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 19750 (first produced in 1920), and director’s letter m as well as phrase: “Reproduction / Original by / Joseph Conyers / Boston / about 1700”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 x D 9 in. Weight: 24 troy ounces. #BV648

Beautiful Art Nouveau sterling silver and Favrile glass jam pot, ca 1910. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Cylindrical with straight sides. Glass greenish-gold with patches of blue and red. Pontil mark. Silver collar with flat hinged cover that opens by lowering the arched swing handle. Fine and functional. Glass signed “L. C. Tiffany Favrile”. Silver hallmark includes pattern no. 15111 and director’s letter m. Very good condition with nice shimmer.

Dimensions: H (with handle) 6 1/2 x...

A beautiful and very old Hagi tea bowl; showing signs of long use and appreciation. The gold repairs add to the overall composition and highlight the important role this piece played in someone’s tea practice. Though still functional to be used as a ceremonial implement, this would fit much better as a treasured display object.

In excellent condition this tea bowl is 5.1 inches in diameter at its widest point (13cm), and stands 3.1 inches tall (8cm). It comes with a pe...

American sterling silver 5-basket garniture, ca 1890. Retailed by Bailey, Banks & Biddle in Philadelphia. There are 4 small baskets and 1 large basket. Each: Oval bowl with fixed c-scroll handle and raised oval foot. Open flowering scrollwork on rim and foot. Handle same. Bowl exterior engraved with flowers and scrolls. All baskets have silver-plated frog and 4 baskets have detachable silver-plated liner with loose-mounted rings. Perfect for floral arrangements or passing around treats. Fully ma...

English Modern sterling silver cigar box, 1919. Rectangular with plain straight sides. Cover hinged with tapering tab; top gently curved with engine-turned wave ornament bordered by fretwork, and centrally mounted gold ring inset with word “CIGARS”. Interior cedar lined and partitioned. Underside leather lined.

Fully marked including Birmingham assay stamp and mark for WC Griffiths, a silversmith and retailer. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 3/8 x W 10 1/8 x D 5 3/4 in. Gross weigh...

Midcentury Modern sterling silver and cut-glass creamer and sugar. Made by Hawkes in Corning, New York. Each: Conical bowl on flutes and diaper, and scalloped rim border. Creamer has c-scroll handle and small u-form spout. Stepped and round sterling silver base. Fully marked including silver weight (16 pwts/each). Very good condition. Sugar has minor base ping.

Dimensions: Creamer: H 4 x W 5 1/4 x D 3 3/4 in. Sugar: H 4 x D 4 in. #BU361

Midcentury Modern sterling silver centerpiece bowl. Made by Alphonse La Paglia (d. 1953) in New Jersey. Deep and tapering with flared rim. Raised foot with short support in the bead and ring arrangement that proved influential with other American silversmiths. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 116. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 1/4 x D 10 1/8 in. Heavy weight: 33.3 troy ounces. #BZ270

Pair of Danish Midcentury Modern sterling silver 3-light candelabra. Each: Scroll encircled with fruiting grapevine mounted to tapering shaft with lobed knop at base mounted to raised and round foot. Three bud-mounted c-scroll arms, each terminating in single socket. Visible hand hammering. A Jensen-inspired design from the master’s homeland. Marked “Sterling / Denmark / 925S” with unidentified maker’s stamp. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 7 1/2 x W 7 x D 3 1/4 in. Total weight: 20...

Edwardian Modern Classical sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1907. Bombe form. Curved and overhanging mouth with lip spout and cylindrical bowl; round and stepped foot and c-scroll handle. Acid-etched ornament: Meandering ivy on mouth and handle and half-fluting on bowl. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 16867B (first produced in 1907), director’s letter m, and volume (5 1/2 pts). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 10 x W 8 3/4 x D 7 in. W...

Midcentury Modern sterling silver footed plate. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Round and gently curved with short and flared foot. Fully marked including maker’s (Worden-Munnis) and retailer’s stamps, and no. 32. Worden Munnis was active in Boston from the 1940s to 1960s. Very good condition. Well center reveals minor impression from base.

Dimensions: H 1 3/8 x D 10 in. Weight: 12.5 troy ounces. #BV472

Not to be confused with the Olympic medalist, this Tomita Hiroyuki (b. 1977) is a talented potter pushing the bounds of an otherwise conservative field where many ceramic forms are carried forward for centuries and sometimes millennia. Beginning his artistic endeavors in the field of metal casting, he soon met and became a student to Ijuin Mariko who introduced him to the world of ceramics. In 2007 he opened his own workshop and since that time he has been actively creating and exhib...

Victorian brilliant-cut glass ice bucket with sterling silver mounts. Made by Wilcox (part of International) in Meriden, Conn., ca 1900. Tapering sides with diaper and star ornament. Mouth has sterling silver collar with beaded rim and c-scroll tapering and concave swing handle. Fully marked including maker’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H (with handle) 10 1/2 x D 6 in. H (without handle) 6 1/2 in. #BZ280

Exquisitely painted cherry blossoms (sakura) and willow branches (yanagi) on a background of jet-black traditional lacquer.

The craftsman, Wakashima Takao (b. 1935) was born in the north of Japan in the picturesque town of Wajima. The lacquer technique particular to this region (Wajima-nuri) is rather unique in its use of an undercoating incorporating special compounds that make it exceptionally durable over time. Wakashima perfected this demanding technique and, over the course of...

A testament to the brilliance of traditional Japanese craftsmanship, this lacquered mizusashi—skillfully handcrafted from bamboo—showcases a deep crimson hue that radiates warmth and sophistication. Its seamless design and flawless finish reflect the skilled hands of the first generation artisan who crafted it, achieving a harmonious balance between form and function. Designed for use in Japanese tea ceremony, this indispensable implement would love to be put back into service o...

From a well-known series entitled “Chōtō” (Listening to the Waves) this large contoured vase features a sandy glaze that the sculptor claims is an expression of the features of the landscape where he grew up.

Born in the port city of Shimoda, Sakiyama studied art in Osaka and then later went on to open his own kiln that he named “Hidaka” (High Sun). Appearing to have a natural gift for form and proportion, his pieces soon attracted the attention of galleries and collectors...

Pretty Edwardian sterling silver basket with roses. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Circular well with flared sides and wide mouth. Sides have alternating solid and pierced trellis. Scrolled and wavy rim in form of flowering rose vine with both tight buds and full blooms. Stationary u-handle applied with graduated flower heads and split scroll mounts. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 16268 (first produced in 1904), and director’s letter C (1902-7). Very good condition.

...

Amusing shakudo brooch with copper and gold detail featuring a woman in repose. The brooch is braced by a sterling silver mount. Made in Japan. Meiji period, ca. 1880. Excellent condition with fabulous patina.

Length: 2 3/8 in. #1120

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...

Traditional Japanese art tends to be timeless and inspiring in form, however, occasionally lacking in diversity and innovation. That is why artists who can incorporate centuries of experiential knowledge and technique into producing new and interesting forms are oh so valued. Though this Bizen jar fits into the category of mizusashi, a vessel central to tea ceremony that holds fresh water, it seems to transcend this narrow category and stands as an independent art object all its own....

Georgian-inspired sterling silver tray. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Rectangular with stepped molded rim and double c-scroll corners. A great Midcentury adaptation of 18th-century design. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and postwar pattern no. 23966. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1/4 x W 14 1/2 x D 10 1/4 in. Heavy weight: 33.5 troy ounces. #BZ553

Bertha Boynton Lum (1869-1954)
Kites
Date: 1912
Size: 14.375 x 8 inches.
Pencil signed and copyrighted 1913 by the artist.
Edition: "197" noted at lower right.
Reference: Gravalos/Pulin No. 29.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Wrinkle in lower margin. Paper at a back margin.
"..the wind fills them up till they look like fish" - Bertha Lum: American Printmakers, (Smithsonian)

Edwardian Classical brilliant-cut glass water pitcher with sterling silver collar. Made by Wilcox (part of International) in Meriden, Conn., ca 1910. Baluster with c-scroll handle; ornament in form of leaf flutes, ferns, and stars. Beaded collar with helmet mouth; engraved interlaced script monogram. Silver marked “Sterling” with maker’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 9 1/4 x W 8 1/2 x D 5 1/2 in. #BZ300

Fabulous Chrysanthemum sterling silver coffee and tea set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. This set comprises 5 pieces: coffeepot, teapot, creamer, sugar, and waste bowl.

In the celebrated pattern that is an American interpretation of a Japanese motif. To Baroque forms are applied a profusion of climbing, wrapping, and bunching flower heads. Chrysanthemum was introduced in 1880 and this set dates from the first quarter century of its production.

All pieces fully marked including maker’...

George VI sterling silver tray. Made by Edward Viner in Sheffield in 1950. Rectilinear with molded rim, double c-scroll corners, and bracket end handles. Fully marked including no. 0102/18 and stamp for Cheltenham & Co. (Sheffield), a division of National Silver Company (New York). Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 1 3/8 x W 22 1/8 x D 13 1/2 in. Weight: 66 troy ounces. #BY646

Andrew Kay Womrath (1869-1939)
In collaboration with Yoshijiro Urushibara (1888-1953)
Venice at Night
Size: Chuban. Approximately 11.625 x 8 inches.
Edition: 3/50 OR 33/50. Numbered in pencil at lower left.
Date: ca 1920s.
Signed "A Kay Womrath" in pencil.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Foxing nearly entirely in margin. Margin blank at lower left.
Note: An example of this night scene is paired with its daytime version in the Smithsonian ...

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...

Large Edwardian Art Nouveau sterling silver basket. Made by Meriden Britannia (part of International) in Connecticut, ca 1910. Wide and shaped mouth and cylindrical body flowing into round foot. Hinged c-scroll handle. Pierced and engraved ornament, including flowers, leaves, and garlands. Reeding. Armorial frames on front and back engraved with interlaced script monogram. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 920. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H (with handle) 23 x W 16 x D 9 in. W...

Super snazzy sterling silver cocktail shaker. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1929. Gently curved and upward tapering sides and flat cover with same-form finial. Bracket handle. Stubby spout with chained cap. Built-in strainer. A late prohibition-era Art Deco classic. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 21374 (first produced in 1929), and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 10 1/4 x W 6 3/4 x D 4 1/2 in. Weight: 25.4 troy ounces. #BY310

Craftsman sterling silver bowl. Made by Lebkuecher in Newark, ca 1920. Ovoid with reeded rim and small c-scroll handles. Fluting and ogee-form frames (vacant). A traditional pottery form with visible hand hammering. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (Grogan Company) and no. 02907HCD. Very good condition with nice shimmer.

Dimensions: H 6 1/4 x W 10 3/8 x D 8 3/4 in. Heavy weight: 39.7 troy ounces. #BX864

Ito Nisaburo
Osaka Dotonbori
Date: 1960s
Size: 17.75 x 12 inches. Full margins shown in additional photo.
Publisher: Uchida Woodblock Printing Co., Ltd.
Artist's seal and publisher's seal at lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Toned back. Slight fading. Tape residue at top margin.
- Interesting signage and fashions. This is a rarely seen design by Ito. There is an example at The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto.

When the founder of the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Sen-So Soshitsu (1622 -1697) was invited to Kanazawa as the master of tea ceremony for the powerful Kaga lords in 1666, the first Chōzaemon came with him and established Ōhi-yaki in Kanazawa. Chōzaemon had been the chief apprentice to the Raku family in Kyoto and took with him many of the principles and ideas associated with Raku-ware. Since those auspicious beginnings, Ōhi-ware has held a high place in the world of tea cere...

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

Gorgeous turn-of-the-century Martelé-style Art Nouveau 950 silver basket. Made by Black, Starr & Frost in New York. Flared and ovoid mouth and cylindrical body flowing into spread foot on 4 turned-under scroll supports; fixed and shaped c-scroll handle. Ruffled and irregular rims. Chased and applied ornament with flowers and climbing and entwined tendrils overlaid with leaves. Hand-hammered ground. Fully marked with maker’s stamp, no. 7577, and phrases “Exclusive Design”, and “950 Fine�...

Art Nouveau glass claret jug with engraved silver overlay. Made by Alvin Corp. in Providence, ca 1900. Cylindrical with small lip spout and spread base; c-scroll handle in silver collar. On underside cut-to-clear star. Overlay in form of entwined and scrolling fruiting grapevine with pendant bunches and leaves. Asymmetrical scrolled cartouche engraved with interlaced script monogram. Silver fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. R326. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 9 1/2 x W 5 1/2 ...