Belle Epoque Rococo soup tureen on stand. Made by Tetard Frères in Paris, ca 1910. Ovoid bowl with tapering sides and curved bottom with fluted and turned-down leaf handles. Sides have projecting volute scrolls inset with leaves. Leaves stippled and irregular. Sides have curvilinear panels applied with leaf and berry garlands with central branches forming wreaths. Raised oval foot. Cover domed and paneled with fluted top on which is mounted a cast finial in form of two embracing cherubs, their ...

The pottery style know as “nerikomi” or sometimes “neriage” in Japan is a technique where various colors and consistencies of clay are stacked together and then cut through to reveal a unique pattern. Here we see a beautiful execution of this approach by potter Wakasugi Naomi (b. 1974) who spent many years perfecting the technique. Wakasugi typically uses Shigaraki clay and porcelain clay from Kyoto in her works and says that when she first started out very few people were ma...

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 ...

The craftsman who fashioned this piece, the 9th Ohi Chozaimon (1901-1986), is the most widely recognized and most accomplished of the now 11 generations of Ohi potters. Born in Ishikawa Prefecture at the start of the 20th century, he took up the family craft and, at the age of 26, became the head potter. Raku tea bowls made by Ohi 9 are some of the finest you will encounter, comparing favorably to even tea bowls made by the main Raku lineage in Kyoto. The lightness of the clay, the s...

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...

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...

Set of 4 Edwardian sterling silver place card holders. Made by Sampson Mordan & Co. Ltd. in Chester, 1904-6. Each: Two flat discs mounted to flat and circular base. Front disc smaller and enameled with fox loping through forest. In leather-bound case with fitted velvet and silk lining; lining has gilt retailer’s stamp (Arnold & Lewis, Manchester). Fully marked including date letters 1904 (3) and 1906 (1), and design nos. 402227 (2) and 429790 (2). Very good condition with strong color.

Dimen...

English Georgian sterling siler ladle with oval bowl; twisted baleen handle with sterling silver terminal. Worn marks including maker’s initials TM (possibly Thomas Mynd). Good condition.

Height: 13 7/8 in. #BX386

Set of 6 Victorian sterling silver equestrian place card holders. Made by Samuel Jacob in London, 1896-1902. Cut out with chasing, stippling, and tooling. Each different with jockeys, polo players, and hedge-jumping hunters. Hinged c-scroll support.

Fully marked including date letters 1896 (3), 1901 (1), and 1902 (2). Five holders have each a different design number; the numbers were registered between 1894 and 1897. Three have retailer’s stamp (Thornhill & Co.). Very good condition.

Ove...

American Neoclassical sterling silver bowl. Retailed by Georg Jensen USA in New York. Curved sides and raised round foot mounted to square base. Beading. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp, no. 777, and phrase “Reproduction”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 1/4 x D 6 in. Weight: 20 troy ounces. #BX067

Italian Midcentury Modern 800 silver box. Rectangular with straight sides and thumb rest. Cover flat and hinged with tab. Allover engine-turned curvilinear ornament in plain borders on sides and cover top. Box underside plain. Marked “800” and stamp (1944-68) for Florentine maker Bartolini Bartolozzi. Condition: Minor bung to upper left corner. Otherwise very good.

Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x W 7 1/8 x D 3 3/4 in. Weight: 9 troy ounces. #BW633

Set of 4 George V sterling silver place card holders. Made by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths in London in 1911. Each: Round gilt ring inset with cast animal head. Two holders have fox heads and two have hound heads. Prey and predator have long pointed snouts and red glass bead eyes. In original leather-bound case with silk lining and fitted velvet. Fully marked. Very good condition with nice patina and toning.

Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x W 1 1/8 x D 1 1/2 in. Case: H 2 1/8 x W 8 1/4 x D 2 5/8 in. Total w...

Set of 8 Edwardian sterling silver and enamel place card holders. Made by James William Benson in Birmingham, 1902 to 1909. Each: Enameled coat of arms and open oval clip mounted to flat octagonal base. Each coat of arms different. Symbols include lions, ravens, eagles, and swords. All fully marked. Date letters vary: 1902 (1), 1905 (1), 1906 (2), 1907 (1), and 1909 (1). Two have indistinct marks. Six have design no. 454426. Retailer’s stamp (“Rowell / Oxford”). Excellent condition with st...

Set of 4 Edwardian sterling silver and enamel place card holders. Made by James William Benson in Birmingham, 1901 to 1902. Each: Enameled coat of arms and open oval clip mounted to flat octagonal base. Two each in two coats of arms. In leather-bound case with silk lining and fitted velvet. All fully marked including date letters 1901 (2) and 1902 (2). Design no. 454426 and retailer’s stamp (“Rowell / Oxford”). Excellent condition with strong and intact color.

Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x W 1 ...

Set of 4 Edwardian sterling silver and enamel place card holders. Made by James William Benson in Birmingham, 1906 to 1908. Each: Enameled coat of arms and open oval clip mounted to flat octagonal base. Same design comprising yellow cross and birds on cobalt ground. In leather-bound case with silk lining and fitted velvet. Case has retailer’s stamp (Army and Navy Co-Operative Society) All fully marked including date letters 1906 (3) and 1908 (1). Design no. 454426 and retailer’s stamp (“Ro...

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...

An example of some of the finest porcelain modern Japan has to offer. According to Wakao Kei, the artist who crafted this piece, it took him years of trial and error to perfect these stunning translucent glazes and associated techniques such as getting the right flowing consistency and pooling effect around the base. The unglazed portions at the foot of the bowl seen here in pictures was created by the artist's fingers as he plunged the vessel into the glaze while holding firmly to the porcelain...

Set of 4 Midcentury Modern sterling silver nut dishes. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Each: Stylized leaf with radiating veins, 5 tips, and stubby stem. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 22475, and director’s letter M (1947-56). Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 1/2 x W 3 1/4 x D 3 in. Total weight: 5 troy ounces. #BW966