Ohara Koson (?)
Three Birds (Gallinules) (Matsumoto catalog name)
Size: Approximately 14.4 x 9.0 cm. 5.75 x 3.625 inches.
Date: ca. 1910.
Sealed "Yamagishi," which may be the carver Kazue Yamagishi (1891-1984).
Publisher: Matsumoto (no. 420)
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
An early and rarely seen design. Not found in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland) but similar to the artist's gallinule...

Turn-of-the-century Silberiris glass vase by Loetz with engraved silver overlay. Ovoid with flared rim in silver collar. Overlay in form of open and stylized leaf band and c-scroll neck border. Glass iridescent in orange, pink, and green. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 1/4 x D 3 1/2 in. #BX858

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

Edwardian Neoclassical glass tray with sterling silver gallery. Made by R. Wallace & Sons Mfg. Co. in Wallingford, Conn., ca 1910. Glass is clear with cut star. Gallery is straight with pierced ornament, reeded rim, and cutout tubular handles. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. C1529. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 3/4 x W 13 1/8 x D 12 1/4 in. #BT638

German 800 silver cow creamer, ca 1910. Stocky body, flexed ears, flicked-back tail handle, and hinged and stippled back flap with engraved wreath and applied fly finial. A gentle face with red-glass eyes and gaping-mouth spout. A capacious dispenser on four firmly planted hoofs. German marks and American importer’s mark for Buchholz & Zelt in New York. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 7 1/2 x L 10 x W 3 1/8 in. Weight: 17.5 troy ounces. #BX770

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

Art Deco sterling silver cigar set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1920. This set comprises, tray, lighter, and 6 ashtrays. Tray rectangular with rounded corners and flat rim. Two central wells of which one rectangular for ashtrays and one round for lighter. Lighter round and bellied with high-looping side handles and hinged and tubular wick cover. Ashtrays rectangular with tapering sides. Acid-etched rinceaux ornament. From the era when a thoughtful host supplied tobacco.

All pieces fu...

Ide Gakusui
Berries
Size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.75 inches.
Date: 1950s-60s.
Gakusui signature and seal lower left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Woodblock print is tipped along the top edge to original 7 x 4.75-inch blank card.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Sparrows
Publisher: Doi. Issued by Odawara Shoten.
Date: 1940. This edition likely post-2000.
Print size: Koban. 8 x 5.75 inches.
Koitsu catalog no.: Similar to TK-DH-90.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Victorian sterling silver letter opener. Made by George Neal & George Neal in London in 1900. In form and with dimensions of a 12-inch ruler. Tapering point for getting underneath the fold. A stylish and useful desk novelty. Fully marked. Very good condition. Weight: 2.5 troy ounces. #BW008

Turn-of-the-century Silberiris glass vase by Loetz with engraved silver overlay. Ovoid with impressed shoulder and molten-style irregular turned-down rim. Overlay in form of whiplash tendrils and loose and fluid blooms. Glass iridescent in purple, yellow, and green with a few glimpses of blue. Gorgeous Art Nouveau with nice shimmer. Silver marked “Sterling” with La Pierre maker’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 3/8 x D 3 1/2 in. #BX850

Traditional sterling silver Revere bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Curved and tapering sides, flared rim, and stepped foot. For serving or presentation. Lots of room for engraving. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and postwar pattern no. 23617. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 7/8 x D 7 3/4 in. Weight: 14.2 troy ounces. #BX699

Pair of Victorian cut-glass and sterling silver decanters. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1891. Each: Moon body with large stylized flower head on both sides and diaper and stars on front and back. C-scroll handle mounted to shoulder and cylindrical faceted neck. Repousse sterling silver collar and hinged and cork-lined cover. Silver fully marked including maker’s stamp, date symbol, and S830. Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H 8 3/8 x W 5 x D 3 3/8 in. #BV952

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...

Takahashi Shotei
Shrine by the River
Date: 1930s. This edition early postwar.
Size: 5.5 x 3.625 inches
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Artist's seal at lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Top margin edge has slight browning.

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...