Oribe is a visual style named after the late-16th-century tea master Furuta Oribe (1544-1615). Typically, black or green glazes are applied to the bodies of these works and light-colored windows are created using feldspar. These high-contrast areas then act as a canvas upon which abstract, minimalistic, and often naturalistic themes are painted.

This piece is quite unique for its brown color which may have been produced using a copper glaze under very specific conditions. Typical o...

Turn-of-the-century sterling silver baby set rich in period assumptions. Made by William B. Kerr in Newark. This set comprises cup, bowl, and plate.

Cup has acid-etched frieze depicting sailor-suited, flag-holding, all-American boy with exotic coevals in native dress relegated to background. Imagery enhanced with verse: “Little Indian, Sioux or Crow, little frosty Eskimo, little Turk or Japanese—Oh! Don’t you wish that you were me?”

Ahem.

Bowl sides feature modes of transportation...

Currently in its 5th generation, the Miura Chikusen line of potters has continued to produce high-quality Kiyomizu-yaki and Kyo-yaki porcelains used in sencha for well over 150 years. The piece seen here is by the third generation potter and has the rare distinction of being endorsed by Sokuchusai, a former Head Tea Master of Omotesenke in Kyoto. Simple and elegant, a section of bamboo stands out in contrast to the white crackled porcelain glaze. If you are looking for a representative work by o...

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’...

Victorian sterling silver baby cup. Made by George John Richards in London in 1853. Baluster bowl with leaf-capped double-scroll handle and scrolled skirted foot. Embossed vegetation clusters in engraved leafing scroll frames; a third frame vacant. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 4 3/8 x W 4 3/8 x D 3 in. Weight: 4.8 troy ounces. #BV954

Traditional German gilt sterling silver stirrup cup, ca 1950. Conical bowl mounted with cast stag head—a furry, gaping beast with flexed-back ears and big antlers. Marked. Very good condition with nice toning.

Overall dimensions: H 6 1/4 x W 5 1/4 x D 3 in. Weight: 10.5 troy ounces. #BZ595

American Edwardian Classical sterling silver loving cup, ca 1910. Tapering bowl with flared rim and curved bottom on reeded domed foot; three leaf-wrapped and scroll-mounted handles. Elegant form with plenty of room for engraving. Fully marked including stamp for Theodore B. Starr, a New York maker and retailer, and no. 5490. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 10 1/4 x W 8 1/2 x D 6 1/4 in. Weight: 29 troy ounces. #BY950

Victorian sterling silver baby cup. Made by George W. Shiebler & Co. in New York, ca 1890. Curved bowl with allover frond and flower repousse on stippled ground. Reeded scroll bracket handle wrapped with applied band decorated with stylized flower head. Gilt-washed interior. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (JE Caldwell) stamps and no. 1306. Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H 3 3/4 x W 4 1/2 x D 3 1/8 in. Weight: 4.8 troy ounces. #BY965

Pair of George III sterling silver covered vegetable dishes. Made by Paul Storr in London in 1805. Each: Tapering bowl with gadrooned rim. Cover domed with lobed shoulder; cast coronet finial mounted to round disc with beaded border.

Engraved coat of arms of Robert Hobart, 4th Earl of Buckinghamshire (1760–1816), an early Empire allrounder, whose peripatetic career included stints as the governor of Madras, postmaster general, and chief secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Because he...

American Edwardian glass decanter with sterling silver mounts, ca 1910. Ovoid bowl with raised diaper; cylindrical neck with 3 rings; neck inset with sterling silver collar and wide mouth rim. Conical stopper same. Stopper and neck marked “Sterling”; neck also numbered “S1018”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 12 x D 4 3/8 in. #BZ436

Edwardian Classical sterling silver coffee set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1907. This set comprises coffeepot, creamer, and sugar. Coffeepot: Tapering body on raised foot, hinged and domed cover with vasiform finial, vertical s-scroll spout, stained-wood scroll-bracket handle, and raised and round foot. Creamer: Tapering body, helmet mouth, scroll-bracket handle, and raised and round foot. Sugar: Hemispheric bowl with scroll-bracket side handles and raised and round foot. Traditional ...

American Edwardian Classical sterling silver tea caddy, ca 1910. Ovoid ginger-jar bowl with short neck and bellied cover. Three chased leafing-scroll frames of which 2 vacant and 1 engraved with interlaced script monogram. Shoulder has flower heads on stippled ground. Cover top has central triangle on leaves. Fully marked including stamp for Theodore B. Starr, a New York maker and retailer, and no. 249. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/2 x D 2 3/8 in. Weight: 3 troy ounces. #BZ577

George II sterling silver mug. Made Thomas Tearle in London in 1735. Baluster bowl with leaf-capped double-scroll handle and spread raised foot. Later ornament in form of chased and engraved scrolls, flowers, and scallop shells on stippled ground. Scrolled frame (vacant). Fully marked. Very good condition with deep patina.

Overall dimensions: H 4 1/8 x W 5 x D 3 1/8 in. Weight: 7.2 troy ounces. #BY964

American Victorian sterling silver shaving mug, ca 1880. Curved and waisted with pierced top bowl and second projecting bowl for brush. Frond and flower repousse. Cast scroll handle has same motif. Marked “Black, Starr & Frost / New-York / Sterling”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 7/8 x W 5 3/4 x D 3 in. Weight: 8 troy ounces. #BZ558

George V sterling silver covered urn. Made by Mappin & Webb in Sheffield in 1917. Oval bowl mounted to lobed knop on domed foot. Cover double-domed with acorn finial. Leaf-wrapped and mounted scroll bracket side handles with cast leaf-and-berry ornament. Bowl rim has dense flower rondel border. Bold and fluid leaf-and-dart borders embossed on bowl bottom and foot top. Smaller and more controlled version of same on cover. Striking and traditional Neoclassicism in supersized proportions. Enough ro...

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...

Colonial sterling silver ale pitcher. Made by Old Newbury Crafters in Newburyport, Mass. Curved bowl with reeded staves; c-scroll handle and sharp v-spout. For serving ye olde fermented refreshment. Fully marked including maker’s and craftsman’s (Fletcher S. Carter) stamps as well as phrase “Boston / Museum of Fine Arts / Reproduction”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 x W 6 1/2 x D 3 1/2 in. Weight: 10.5 troy ounces. #BY462

George II sterling silver mug. Made by Samuel Welles in London in 1759. Baluster bowl with leaf-capped double-scroll handle. Raised foot with tooled leaf border. Chased and engraved bucolic scene with hounds racing through an orchard. A later Victorian homage to the tranquility of rural life. An even later engraved presentation in the frame formed by the leafing, overhanging trees: “Palm Beach Golf Club / Florida / State Championship / 1916 / First Prize / Runner Up / Won By”. No name follow...

George V sterling silver tray. Made by Alexander Clark & Co. in Sheffield in 1927. Traditional Georgian cartouche with molded rim, gently curved sides, and double-scroll corners. Corner stepped disc supports. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3/4 x W 12 3/8 x D 12 3/8 in. Weight: 29.4 troy ounces. #BY054

George III sterling silver goblet. Made by Hester Bateman in London in 1785. Ovoid bowl on upward tapering stem flowing into raised foot. Beaded and zigzag borders. Spare Georgian Neoclassicism by a collectible maker. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 3/8 x D 3 1/4 in. Weight: 5.7 troy ounces. #BY307

Sterling silver porringer. Made by Towle in Newburyport. Crimped bowl and solid handle with pierced oval. Beaded bowl and handle rims as well as beaded volute scrolls on handle. Jazzed-up tradition. Hallmark includes no. 105 and retailer’s name Bailey, Banks & Biddle. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 7/8 x W 7 3/4 x D 5 in. Weight: 5.6 troy ounces. #BP866

American Modern sterling silver and glass inkwell on stand, ca 1920. Lobed melon-form glass bowl; sterling silver cover domed with overlapping ovoid ring finial. Stand has well and large lobing. Cover interior numbered 38. Stand and cover marked “Sterling”. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 3 3/4 x D 4 3/4 in. Total weight (silver only): 2.3 troy ounces. #BY033

George VI sterling silver salver. Made by Walker & Hall in Sheffield in 1940. Round well with traditional molded curvilinear piecrust rim. Three volute-scroll supports. Fully marked. Very good condition with nice finish.

Dimensions: H 1 x D 8 1/4 in. Weight: 11 troy ounces. #BW554

George VI sterling silver salver. Made by Walker & Hall in Sheffield in 1940. Round well with traditional molded curvilinear piecrust rim. Three volute-scroll supports. Fully marked. Very good condition with nice finish.

Dimensions: H 1 1/8 x D 8 1/4 in. Weight: 11 troy ounces. #BW553

George III sterling silver tea caddy. Made by Hester Bateman in London in 1782. Straight oval bowl; cover domed with cast vasiform finial. Engraved garland and swag and ornamental borders. Beading. Beautiful Neoclassicism for a special blend. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 1/4 x W 5 1/4 x D 3 1/2 in. Weight: 12.3 troy ounces. #BZ711

American Georgian sterling silver sauceboat, ca 1900. Retailed by Black, Starr & Frost in New York. Bellied oval bowl with leaf-capped high-looping handle and gadrooned scalloped rim; four scroll-mounted paw supports. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp and no. 1430. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 3 1/2 x L 6 x W 3 1/4 in. Weight: 6.6 troy ounces. #BY479

Being based in Kyoto we occasionally come across fine Chinese and Korean tea-ware to mix in with our Japanese offerings. Here we have an example of a ceremonial tea bowl from the Shinragi kiln in Korea. Pieces like the one seen here are baked in a traditional wood-fired “climbing kiln” at a temperature of over 1,300 degrees for 5 days. Fashioned after classical works held in museum collections, the motifs are timeless and captivating.

In excellent condition, this piece is 5.5 in...

With a base of dazzling red ochre clay, a technique known as “san-giri,” pioneered by the progenitor of this generational potting family and now widely used among Bizen potters, is employed here to bring out stunning mustard yellows, mossy greens, charcoal blacks, along with a range of subtler hues.

The potter, Konishi Tōko II (1927 -2018) was second daughter to Konishi the first. After graduating from women’s college she assisted her father at the family kiln, e...

Sometime around the year 1600 the first Takatori kiln was constructed at the foot of Mt Takatori in Fukuoka. This tradition was based on styles created by Korean potters brought to the shores of Japan during its colonial expansionism of the late 16th century. A favorite of the Kuroda lords of the time, its production and use was closely guarded until later in the 19th century when the domain system was abolished, freeing it up to be more widely used. Though Takatori-ware has been admired by many...

American Edwardian Classical sterling silver vase, ca 1910. Flared mouth on inset neck; wavy shoulder mounted to ovoid bowl with base knop ring on stepped and domed foot. Engraved pendant floral garlands and oval wreath (vacant). Marked “Sterling” with no. 2442W. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 17 7/8 x D 5 in. Weight: 32.3 troy ounces. #BZ397

George III sterling silver baby cup. Made by Rebecca Emes & Edward Barnard in London in 1816. Campana urn bowl with cast palmette and shell border; raised foot with cast leaf-and-dart border. Cast two-headed snake handle. Gilt-washed interior. Gorgeous Georgian for the newborn who deserves a bit of Regency opulence. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 3 3/4 x W 4 1/4 x D 2 3/4 in. Weight: 6 troy ounces. #BZ556

Seto is a pottery tradition established in the 12th century with the aim of reproducing fine Chinese porcelain and tenmoku-style tea bowls—which were hard to come by in Japan at the time. Later, during the Muromachi period, Seto potters established kilns in Mino thus starting the period known as ko-Seto, or “old Seto.” These pieces were distinctive as they were produced in small batches and with great care. Later in Edo, the large-kiln style of production or “ogama” was introduced ushe...

Large Classical sterling silver covered urn. Made by Currier & Roby in New York, ca 1920. Girdled bowl with leaf-capped s-scroll side handles, stepped foot and stepped and domed cover with vasiform finial. Traditional form with extra oomph. Beautiful proportions and plenty of room for engraving. Fully marked. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 13 1/4 x W 12 x D 7 1/2 in. Heavy weight: 71.5 troy ounces. #BV545

With a masterfully applied black Raku glaze and a noticeable aesthetic of austerity and stillness, this piece is what is refereed to in Japanese as an “utsushi” or what we might call in English a “tribute piece.” Such pieces are typically made by all Raku potters, regardless of the kiln and tradition, and seek to emulate famous works from the early masters over 400 years ago—in this case, a tea bowl created by the brother of the second Kichizaemon, Tanaka Somi, born sometim...

This tall and lovely Hagi chawan rests firmly on a wari kodai or “split foot” pedestal that is unglazed—displaying the coarse rich clay. The crackled milky glaze covers the curves and contours of the bowl, contrasting dramatically between the foot and the clay body. Hagi-ware such as this is part of a tradition stretching back over 400 years and is a high-fired stoneware type of pottery. Hagi-ware is prized for its subdued colors and classical features, especially the glazing, ...

Oribe is a visual style named after the late-16th-century tea master Furuta Oribe (1544-1615). Typically, black or green glazes are applied to the bodies of these works and light-colored windows are created using feldspar. These high-contrast areas then act as a canvas upon which abstract, minimalistic, and often naturalistic themes are painted.

As can be seen here, this piece is of the green variety and looks to be from the mid-to-early Edo period as can be determined ...