Although reports vary, it is generally thought that Zeze-yaki had its heyday in the late Momoyama to early Edo period under the influence and patronage of legendary artists/ men of tea, Honami Koetsu and Kobori Enshu. It was also counted among the seven best kilns selected by Enshu Kobori (1579-1647), a tea master and military commander of that era. In the mid-1600s the tradition died out for a time after the destruction of the kiln by fire. The kiln was later resurrected on two occa...

Edwardian Art Nouveau sterling silver card case. Made by Clark & Sewell in Birmingham in 1906. Rectangular with hinged cover and plain back. On front is one maiden with faraway look, one iris flower, two water lilies, and the sun in the act of setting or rising (direction not indicated). All surrounded by whiplash border. The works! A wonderful period piece. Fully marked. Very good condition with strong definition and deep patina.

Dimensions: H 3 3/4 x W 2 5/8 x D 1/8 in. Weight: 2 troy ounce...

Set of 12 Art Nouveau sterling silver nut dishes. Made by Howard Sterling Co. in Providence, ca 1900. Each: Round and pierced with 3 leaf-mounted paw supports. Cast and open tendril rim with flower heads. Well has engraved single-letter monogram. Pretty bowls for small servings of treats. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 491X. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 3/4 x D 3 1/2 in. Total weight: 26.8 troy ounces. #BX778

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...

German Rococo 830 silver bowl, ca 1900. Round well with rosebud-gathering cherubs in relief. Sides tapering with scrolled and wavy rim. Heraldic shields with more cherubs and flower baskets as well as flower-strewn scrolled frames on pierced ground. Foot ring with scrolls and scallop shells. A fancy piece in the Hanau style. Marked. Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H 3 D 15 1/4 in. Weight: 22.5 troy ounces. #BZ141

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

Edwardian stoneware match strike with sterling silver collar. Made by Royal Doulton in Lambeth in 1909. Globular with cylindrical interior and silver collar. Applied ornaments include windmill, pipe-smoking peasant, and running dogs. Shaded brown and cream glaze. A homely piece in the Dutch style. Fully marked on underside and collar. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 3 x D 3 ½ in. BH609

Created by Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun, Bizen pieces like the one seen here originated in Okayama (south-western Japan) and have a long history that is closely intertwined with that of tea culture. Known for employing a natural-ash glazing techniques that require extremely long firing times (7-14 days) at very high temperatures, constant attention is required to ensure good results. Here Isezaki can be seen pushing the bounds of tradition Bizen orthodoxies in interesting and creative wa...

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...

Gothic sterling silver porringer. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Concave sides on short foot. Rim reeded with applied leaves. Solid handle with carved figure of medieval horn-blowing huntsman. An impressive example of the breadth of historic resources and techniques that Tiffany mined during the 19th century. Hallmark includes pattern no. 9680 and director’s letter T (1892-1902).

Dimensions: H 3 x W 9 7/8 x D 5 in. Gross weight: 8.6 troy ounces. #BN233

Victorian Classical sterling silver mustard pot. Made by Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox in London in 1858. Drum-form with straight and inset sides, and open bottom. Cover flat and hinged, and scroll-bracket handle with scallop shell thumb rest. Engraved ornament: On sides, leafing scrollwork, flowers, and eagles, and on cover top round frame (vacant) surrounded by leafing scrollwork. With cobalt glass liner. Fully marked. Condition: Very good. Minor rim chips to liner.

Overall dimensions: H 3...

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...

Winthrop sterling silver drinks set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1925. This set comprises pitcher, 6 goblets and tray. The pitcher has curved and tapering bowl, raised foot, scrolled-bracket handle, and helmet mouth. The goblets have conical bowl with tapering stem, and gently raised round foot. Tray Round with narrow shoulder and flat rim. Acid-etched Regency Revival ornament. Bowls have bands comprising laurel wreaths inset with flower heads between tooled lines, and stylized imbrica...

Tokoname pottery has a rich history that dates back over a thousand years. Originating in the town of Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, this pottery tradition has flourished due to the region's abundant red clay deposits. The history of Tokoname pottery can be traced to the 12th century when the art form was greatly influenced by Chinese ceramics, specifically, by the Yixing clay pottery tradition. Over the centuries, Tokoname pottery evolved to develop its unique style characteri...

A key figure in the Japanese folk craft movement of the 20th century, Fujita Kyohei is credited with helping to develop a thriving glass-working community within Japan. Best known for his “dream” or “Liuli” boxes—very colorful and skillfully crafted boxes that often incorporated gold and silver leaf into their designs. Here we see a piece that would likely have been crafted earlier in his career but that demonstrates his masterful technique even then. In 1972 Fujita, along ...

Smart and Modern sterling silver box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover flat and hinged with slight overhang. Stylish Midcentury design. Box interior cedar lined and partitioned. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and pattern no. 23328. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 x W 7 3/4 x D 3 5/8 in. Gross weight: 20 troy ounces. #BZ249

During the Kamakura period in Japan (1185-1333), a remarkable form of Buddhist sculpture known as the votive Buddha emerged. Commonly referred to as kakebotoke (hanging Buddhas), pieces like this would have been mounted on spherical plaques made of bronze or copper and hung in a Buddhist temple or possibly even in a Shinto shrine. These small-scale sculptures were created to serve as objects of devotion and were often commissioned by wealthy individuals or temples. The Kurakama perio...

Large Russian Classical 875 silver bowl, ca 1843. Oval well with engraved armorial and curved and fluted sides with applied scroll and shell armorials (vacant). Rim has applied leaves, scrolls, and scallop shells. Fully marked including Adolf Sper maker’s stamp, St Petersburg city stamp, and Dimitri Tverskoy assay master’s stamp dated 1843. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 x W 17 x D 12 5/8 in. Weight: 43.8 troy ounces. #BW874