Modern Classical sterling silver vase. Made by Sotirio Bulgari in London in 1989 Tapering bowl with faceted and flared rim and gilt interior; short cylindrical stem and round foot with reeded rim. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (“Bulgari”) stamps, and no. BA2630. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 6 x D 3 in. Weight: 7.6 troy ounces. #BZ730
Japanese Jubako, traditional stacked lacquerware food boxes, represent not only culinary refinement but also an important aspect of Japanese food culture. These elegantly tiered containers, often adorned with intricate designs and vibrant colors, are integral to the presentation of special occasion meals such as New Year’s celebrations and formal picnics. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, Jubako boxes like the one featured here showcase the artistry of Japanese lacquerwa...
Art Nouveau inkwell. Made by Emile Langlois in Paris, ca 1920. Hemispheric clear glass bowl with garland acid-etched to sides and diaper cut to underside. Neck collar 950 silver as is hinged domed cover, which has guilloche enamel concentric rings in nuanced green-brown. Detachable clear glass liner. Maker’s stamp. Excellent condition.
Dimensions: H 3 x D 2 3/4 in. #T714
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...
Turn-of-the-century American Art Nouveau glass flask with engraved silver overlay. Flat front and concave back; sides curved and bottom flat. Short neck in silver collar and hinged and cork-lined cover. Overlay in form of dense leafing scrollwork and flowers. Glass is clear. Silver marked “Solid Silver / Pat. Jan. 5-86”. Very good condition.
Lady's size: H 5 3/4 x W 3 3/4 x D 1 in. #BX343
Deceptively simple and notoriously difficult to apply with the calligrapher’s brush in one fluid, arching stroke; the symbol of the ensō has long been associated with strength, elegance, and the simultaneous being and non-being of the universe. A closed ensō (such as the one featured here) is more closely associated with the idea of transcendent perfection, while an open ensō represents movement, fluidity, and attainment in the corporeal world. Though the monk who created this piece, Hasega...
Occasionally while browsing through the temple markets of Kyoto or perusing backstreets tea-ware shops, an attractive piece will catch my eye for no particular reason. When this happens, I typically buy it immediately without hesitation, trusting that I will be able to place it to a specific period or kiln given enough time and research. In some cases however, this proves to be a fruitless task and I am left only to appreciate the beauty and form of the object without having access to too many d...
Japonesque sterling silver creamer and sugar. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York.
Each: Urn body on domed foot Handles high looping. Interior gilt washed. Creamer has helmet mouth. Engraved insects (dragonfly and butterfly), flowers, and blossoming branch on allover honeycomb hand-hammered ground. Handles have raised interlocking scrollwork with flowers and Moresque shapes based on Persian, the flatware pattern that was designed by Edward C. Moore and first produced in 1872.
Fully marked incl...
This lovely Shino tea bowl fashioned from coarse Mino clay is covered in feldspar glazing, has a classic ferrous abstract painting across the front, and shows nice age—most likely from early to middle Edo.
Shino-ware dates to the Momoyama period when potters were attempting to recreate white porcelain-wares that were being imported from China at the time. Originally they were made in a single-chamber anagama style kilns set into the hillsides. Later, with the advent of large-batc...
Pair of German Biedermeier Classical silver candlesticks, ca 1830. Each: Socket mounted to leaf flange in turn mounted to baluster shaft on raised round foot on square base. Fluting, gadrooning, acanthus leaf, and leaf-and-dart ornament. Marked. Very good condition with nice patina.
Dimensions: H 10 1/8 x W 3 1/2 x D 3 1/2 in. Weighted. #BY091
Victorian Classical sterling silver baby cup. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1888. Straight sides and lobed bracket handle with reeded bands. Stylized ornament: Scrolled frame surrounded by scrolls, leaves, flowers, and a couple hovering insects. Butler finish. Mouth rim has egg-and-dart border. At bottom cast low-relief rinceaux band between reeded borders. Gilt-washed interior. Interlaced script monogram. Full marked including maker’s stamp, date symbol, and no. 3875. Very good condition.
First presented at the Ishikawa Traditional Crafts Exhibition, this fine mizusashi crafted with extraordinary precision is a testament to the generational knowledge, skill, and dedication of one of Japan’s top traditional craftsman. Its tapered polished sides have a beautiful texture and luster that compliment perfectly with the hand-crafted custom lid adorning the top. Truly an exceptional artwork fused with the aesthetics of tea culture that gives it a sense of stability, calm, a...
Modern Classical sterling silver box. Made by Ferdinand Richard Wilm in Berlin, ca 1930. Rectangular with wraparound reeded sides; cover flat and hinged with paneled top. Fully marked including maker’s stamp. Excellent condition.
Dimensions: H 7/8 x W 6 x D 3 7/8 in. Weight: 13 troy ounces. #BZ772
Art Nouveau sterling silver shaving mug. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1900. Round bowl; interior mounted with pierced brush holder. C-scroll handle. Acid-etched flowering scrollwork forming frame (vacant). Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. A5334. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 2 7/8 x W 4 5/8 x D 3 3/8 in. Weight: 4.8 troy ounces. #BZ562
Unlike many of the pieces in the genre of Kyo-ware, this tea bowl is decidedly demure in appearance. Milky, flowing glaze pools in places along a backdrop of ivory and coral pink sides, contrasting nicely with the rough, unrefined clay of the base. In the center of the kodai is a decorative swirl pattern reminiscent of the yin and yang.
The potter, Kanpu Kawanabe (1873 - 1947) was born into a family of weavers but went on to be trained in many of the arts related to tea ceremony. A...
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
Victorian Classical coin silver baby cup, ca 1860. Baluster bowl with cast leaf-capped double-scroll handle and raised foot. Chased leaf and tendrils forming frame (vacant). Beaded and Greek key rims. Unidentified marks associated with Philadelphia and phrase “Pure Coin”. Very good condition with deep patina.
Overall dimensions: H 4 7/8 x W 4 1/2 x D 3 in. Weight: 6 troy ounces. #BX744
Classical coin silver christening mug, ca 1850. Baluster bowl with high-looping leaf-capped s-scroll handle and round stepped foot. Large scrolled frame (vacant) surrounded by rural idyll with house and barn set in bosky landscape. In foreground a hunter takes aim at a fox. No vermin allowed in paradise. New York retailer’s stamp (Ball, Black & Co.) and star and eagle associated with Hartford production. Very good condition with nice patina.
Overall dimensions: H 5 x W 5 x D 3 1/8 in. Weight...