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...

George III sterling silver epergne. Made by Thomas Pitts in London in 1774.

Reeded and beaded oval frame; at base swags threaded through fixed rings with pendant oval vase medallions, overlapping four split-mounted leafing supports terminating in pierced and scrolled oval feet. Four reeded and scrolling leaf-capped and -wrapped arms, each terminating in oval basket, mounted to frame base alternating with four reeded and scrolling leaf-wrapped arms, each terminating in round basket, mounted to ...

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...

This Meiji period vase is made of fine white porcelain fashioned after classic Chinese motifs.. The potter, first generation Miura Chikusen, is the same generation as many of the better known Imperial Court artists (Kozan, Siefu, Tozan, etc…) and just as accomplished in terms of mastery of technique, level of artistic expression, and volume of pieces produced.

An exceptionally skilled Meiji potter, Chikusen (1854 – 1915) specialized in high-quality Kiyomizu-yaki and...

Pair of Georgian-style sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Currier & Roby in New York, ca 1920. Each: Faceted and tapering shaft with knops and flanges on raised foot in concave circle set in square base. Spool socket with detachable bobeche. Gadrooning and reeding. Fully marked including maker’s mark and no. 2628. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 10 x W 4 5/8 x D 4 5/8 in. Total weight:36 troy ounces. #BZ690

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

Edwardian Classical sterling silver and glass picture frame. Made by Hawkes in Corning, New York, ca 1910. Oval window with reeded sterling silver border in rectilinear glass surround with curved top. alternating reeded and diaper lines and four clear rondels with acid-etched flower baskets and cornucopia. With glass, silk lining, and silk back with hinged easel support. Silver marked “Sterling”. Glass unmarked. Very good condition with strong definition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 11 1/4 x W 7 ...

Ornamental sterling silver letter opener. Made by Georg Jensen in Denmark, ca 1925. Looped tendril handle with seed and leaf terminal. Shaft terminates in flat stylized bud to which is mounted blade with curved sides. Early marks including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 122, Copenhagen Three Tower stamp dated 1925, and Christian F. Heise assayer’s stamp (1904-32). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 5/8 x W 7/8 x D 3/8 in. #BZ699

Modern Classical sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1924. Conical with reeded rim, short and straight support, and raised round foot. Acid-etched curvilinear borders with fleurs de lys. Support has scroll-and-dart ornament alternating with squares (vacant). Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 20393G (first produced in 1924), and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 5/8 x D 9 in. Weight: 24 troy ounces. #BZ706

Pair of Danish Modern sterling silver compotes. Made by Poul Petersen in Canada, ca 1940. Each: Lilypad bowl with lobed rim and upturned back; flying c-scroll handle with split bud mounts and bud and seed terminal. Open support comprising large vertical leaves and turned-down grape bunches; domed foot. Visible hand hammering. A great piece by the legendary Danish-born silversmith who was Georg Jensen’s apprentice and son-in-law. He married the boss’ daughter Inger in 1922. The couple emigrat...

Pair of Danish Modern sterling silver compotes. Made by Poul Petersen in Canada, ca 1940. Each: Lilypad bowl with lobed rim and upturned back; flying c-scroll handle with applied tendril and grape bunch. Open support comprising large vertical leaves and turned-down small leaves; domed foot. Visible hand hammering. A great piece by the legendary Danish-born silversmith who was Georg Jensen’s apprentice and son-in-law. He married the boss’ daughter Inger in 1922. The couple emigrated to Canada...

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