Fiddle Thread & Shell sterling silver dinner and lunch set. Made by James Robinson in London, 1980-2000. This set comprises 61 pieces (dimensions in inches):

Forks: 12 dinner forks (8 1/8) and 12 luncheon forks (7);

Spoons: 12 soup spoons (7 1/8), 12 teaspoons (5 3/4), and 1 tablespoon (8 1/8);

Knives: 12 dinner knives.

Dinner knife blades stainless steel.

Traditional Georgian spanning the early Thatcher era to Tony Blair’s Cool Britannia.

All pieces fully marked including maker...

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

Chrysanthemum sterling silver dinner set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1890.

This set comprises 145 pieces (dimensions in inches): Forks: 24 dinner forks (7 1/2), 12 salad/terrapin forks (6 3/8), 12 seafood forks (6), and 12 ice cream forks (5 5/8); Spoons: 10 teaspoons (5 5/8), 12 round gumbo spoons (7 3/4), 12 bouillon spoons (5 1/2), 10 grapefruit spoons (5 3/4), and 6 tablespoons (8 1/4); Knives: 12 dinner knives (10 1/8), 12 lunch knives (8 7/8), and 11 butter spreaders (5 3/4).

Victorian Classical sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1877. Globular bowl with drum-form neck, small lip spout, and c-scroll handle. Bowl has vertical ornament in form of applied acanthus leaves alternating with embossed gadroons. Neck has applied harps in wreaths between leafing scrolls. Handle has applied rosette and leafing stem. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 4706 (first produced in 1877), and director’s letter M (1873-91). Very good ...

George IV sterling silver bowl. Made by Elder & Co. in Edinburgh in 1831. Round with tapering sides and raised round foot. Scalloped frames with chased leaf and flower border on stippled ground, surmounted by open fruiting grapevine border; cast flower and leaf rim. Elegant Scottish Regency Classicism. Fully marked. Very good condition with nice patina.

Dimensions: H 3 x D 10 3/4 in. Weight: 18.6 troy ounces. #BX610

Edwardian Classical sterling silver bowl. Made by Redlich & Co. in New York, ca 1900. Tapering sides and flared rim; applied and pierced rim with cast leafing scrolls and flowers. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (Cowell & Hubbard) stamps and no. 3982. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 3/4 x D 10 3/8 in. Weight: 11 troy ounces. #BY088

German 800 silver cow creamer, ca 1910. A sweet bovine with upturned horns, flexed ears, and smiley mouth spout. Sturdy sagging body with ring-handle tail and hinged back cover with fly finial. Stands on firmly planted hooves. Unidentified Hanau marks. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/8 x L 5 1/2 x W 2 in. Weight: 5.6 troy ounces. #BY777

Six Victorian Classical sterling silver goblets. Made by Charles Stuart Harris in London, 1884-9. Medici urn bowl with bellied bottom and flared rim. Spool shaft with flange flowing into raised foot. Chased and engraved garlands and two leaf and cattail wreath frames of which 1 vacant and 1 with applied coat of arms. Super fancy and capacious for ceremony or dining. Very much the special occasion set. Fully marked including date letters 1884 (2), 1886 (1), 1888 (1), and 1889 (2). Excellent cond...

Edwardian Classical water pitcher. Made by Redlich in New York, ca 1890. Clear cut-glass with bead-and-reel bands on bowl and brilliant star on underside; Neck faceted and notched with reeded bands. Sterling silver collar with helmet mouth and applied leafing scroll and beaded rim. Silver-mounted horn handle. A beautiful big game-era piece. Silver fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 305. Excellent condition.

Overall dimensions: H 9 3/4 x W 8 1/4 x D 6 1/2 in. #BX106

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

Sugimoto Sadamitsu (b. 1935) is one of the most important Shigaraki potters alive today and continues to create master works into his old age. Originally a resident of Tokyo, at the age of 33 he moved to Shigaraki and started creating high-quality tea-ware implements, most notably, fine tea bowls in the style of early Raku masters. A devotee of Zen and a lover of tea, Sugimoto is able to create tea bowls that are not just attractive, pleasant to hold in the hand, and a joy to drink from; but tha...

Sugimoto Sadamitsu (b. 1935) is one of the most important Shigaraki potters alive today and continues to create master works into his old age. Originally a resident of Tokyo, at the age of 33 he moved to Shigaraki and started creating high-quality tea-ware implements, most notably, fine tea bowls in the style of early Raku masters. A devotee of Zen and a lover of tea, Sugimoto is able to create tea bowls that are not just attractive, pleasant to hold in the hand, and a joy to drink f...

German 800 cast silver figural bird bowl, ca 1910. Swan with plumy wings and tail, and ringed s-scroll neck with graceful head terminating in long and closed bill. Hollow with gilt-washed interior for holding treats. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (Martin Mayer). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 1/4 x L 6 3/4 x W 4 1/4 in. Weight: 9 troy ounces. #BY011

Victorian Classical sterling silver biscuit jar. Made by Henry Holland in London in 1872. Drum form; cover flat and hinged with vasiform finial. Engraved stylized floral ornament and oval frame (vacant). Mounted to round stand with four leafing-scroll and flower supports. Beading. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 7 1/4 x W 8 x D 7 1/8 in. Weight: 23.5 troy ounces. #BZ367

Edwardian Classical sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Frank W. Smith in Gardner, Mass., ca 1910. Full-bodied globular bowl on domed foot; reeded and capped high-looping handle and wide u-spout. Irregular and scrolling rims applied with leafing scrolls. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 1794. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 10 1/2 x W 8 1/2 x D 6 in. Weight: 30.5 troy ounces. #BX673

Dating from the 17th century, Kutani-ware is a type of fine porcelain that takes its name from the region from which it originates—the name literally means “nine valleys.” In sharp contrast to many other styles of Japanese ceramics which tend towards more modest color palettes, Kutani-ware are known for their vibrant red enameles, gold trimming, and complementary greens, yellows, and blues. This set of tokkuri is painted with a common hanging-lantern ornamental pattern known as youraku. Th...

Midcentury Modern sterling silver centerpiece bowl. Made by Alfredo Sciarrotta in Newport. Curved oval on open s-scroll support. Bead and ring ornament mounted to ends. Visible hand hammering. Marked “Sciarrotta / Hand Made / Sterling / 117”. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 5 3/4 x W 14 1/4 x D 7 1/4 in. Weight: 30 troy ounces. #BY691

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...

German 800 silver box, ca 1910. Oval and lobed. Cover hinged and raised with scroll tab. Sides have chased and engraved fruits and foliage on stippled ground in curvilinear frames alternating with plain lobes. Cover top same with beaded frames. Gilt-washed interior. Marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 1/4 x W 7 x D 5 1/2 in. Weight: 13.7 troy ounces. #BX430

Classical coin silver baby cup. Made by Eoff & Connor, a partnership active in New York from 1833 to 1835. Bellied bowl with drum-form neck, flared rim, and capped s-scroll handle; raised and stepped foot. Shaped frame (vacant) with chased scrolling leaf surround, and leaf and flower bands. Foot has cast egg-and-dart border. Handwork visible on interior. Lovely with strong regional association. Marks include “J.H. Connor” and “G. Eoff” stamps. Very good condition with nice patina.

Over...

Japonesque mixed metal sterling silver bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1883. Curved sides with allover spot hammering and gilt-washed interior. Applied copper and silver ornament: Rim overhung with fruiting and leafing branch mounted to exterior with exploratory fly, and opposite, a bonsai branch. On side are cattails rooted in granulated soil with perched crane as well as dragonfly and butterfly. Three splayed supports. Fully marked with maker’s stamp, date letter, no. 1725, and phrase ...

Beautiful Art Nouveau Classical glass perfume with silver overlay, ca 1900. Globular bottle with short neck and ball stopper. Classical flowering and leafing rinceaux overlay with round frame (vacant). Glass is red. Silver has maker’s stamp (Gorham) and no. D941. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 3/8 x D 3 1/4 in. #BZ501

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

During the Meiji period in Japan, the humble iron kettle, known as a "tetsubin," emerged as an iconic symbol of traditional craftsmanship and functional artistry. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and often adorned with intricate designs—as can be seen here with a cherry blossom motif and a what appears to be a pine-cone for a gripper—they became an essential tool in the Japanese tea ceremony. These kettles were prized not only for their practicality in boiling water bu...

Fine quality Japanese Meiji silver incense burner, ca 1890. Barrel-form with solid top and bottom and open sides; applied chrysanthemums heightened with gold and silver. Cover oval and flush; finial in form of big loosely-tied bow with tassels. Ends plain and studded; copper and gold ornament with central mons encircled by two scaly, taloned dragons. Scrolled cradle mounted to pillar with brackets on four scroll supports. Applied leafing and flowering tendrils.

Appears to be unmarked. Very goo...

George V sterling silver bowl. Made by Lionel Alfred Crichton in London in 1912. Curved with flared rim and stepped foot. Cast lion’s head side mounts in leafing-scrolled frames with loose-mounted rings. Four cast lion couchant supports with extended forepaws. Allover spot hammering. Engraved interlaced script monogram. A beautiful Edwardian Classical centerpiece. Fully marked. Excellent condition with nice shimmer.

Overall dimensions: H 9 1/4 x W 13 x D 11 3/4 in. Heavy weight: 85.4 troy o...

Large and pretty silver tray. Round and plain well and wide shoulder with engraved and repousse garland; applied rim with leaf border. Marked. Visible handwork on underside. Good condition.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x D 16 in. Weight: 39.5 troy ounces. #BW804

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...

Victorian sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Curved sides with repousse fern and flower pattern. Cast interior rim comprising alternating ferns and flower heads. Four leafing scroll-mounted paw supports. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 9447 (first produced in 1887), director’s letter M (1873-91), and volume (6 1/2 pts). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/8 x D 9 1/2 in. Weight: 24.6 troy ounces. #BY389

Pair of Georgian Rococo sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Dominick & Haff in New York in 1898. Each: Baluster shaft on raised and round shaped base. Concave socket with square detachable bobeche. Dense and dynamic with twisted fluting, beading, and leafing scrolls. Fully marked including dated maker’s stamp and no. 284A. Excellent condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H 10 3/4 x W 6 x D 5 3/4 in. Weighted. #BW168

European silver flagon after the antique, late 19th century. Tapering bowl with curved front and back Tapering sides and curved front and back on spread and ribbed rectangular foot. Rectilinear neck with flat top. Round and domed cover with same ribbing and finial chained on both sides to ribbed rings loose-mounted to applied Classical satyr’s heads. Engraved Renaissance figures on front and armorial on back; leafing scrollwork and birds. Marked. Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimens...

Chinese-style bowl, ca 1920. Mottled green hardstone urn on silver gilt fretwork base with 4 splayed supports. A pretty ornament that works as an ashtray with silver gilt leaf cradle mounted to rim. Marked “Edward I Farmer / Sterling”. Very good with nice toning. Rim has a few fleabite irregularities.

Overall dimensions: H 3 1/8 x W 2 7/8 x D 2 in. #BV277

Grande Imperiale sterling silver dinner set. Made by Mario Buccellati in Italy. This set comprises 48 pieces (dimensions in inches):

Forks: 8 dinner forks (8 5/8) and 8 salad forks (7);

Spoons: 8 tablespoons (8 1/2), 8 dessert spoons (6 7/8), and 8 ice cream spoons (5 1/4);

Knife: 8 dinner knives (9 3/4).

Dinner knives have stainless steel blades.

Complete with impressive sculptural heft.

All pieces fully hallmarked including maker’s stamp (“M. Buccellati”). Very good condition...

American brilliant-cut glass and sterling silver decanter. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1894. Round body with thumb ring handle. Cut ornament in arched frames. Collar silver as is hinged and cork-lined cover with floral repousse. On cover is engraved block monogram and dates “1870 W. G. C. 1895”. Fully marked including no. S1744 and date symbol. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 9 x W 5 1/4 x D 3 1/2 in. #BO891

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...

Decidedly masculine in character with straight sculpted edges, a rich palette of color, and a calm steadiness in the hand; this tea bowl was crafted by one of Japan’s great masters, a Mashiko potter by the name of Takauchi Shugo.

A native of Tokyo, Takauchi (b. 1937) took the well-established path of working for a company after graduating from university and it was not until a number of years later—upon visiting the town of Mashiko and being inspired by the works of artists such...