At various times over the long history of tea practice in Japan, Korean-ware has come into high fashion and ships full of the finest ceramics from the neighboring country were brought to its shores. Such pieces have long been favored by learned cha-jin (tea people); and, older pieces such as this are quite prized today as relatively few from this era have survived in good condition. While it is possible this piece is of Japanese origin, its apparent age would make it more likely to h...

Victorian Classical sterling silver coffee and tea set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. This set comprises coffeepot, teapot, creamer, sugar, and waste bowl.

Each: Bellied bowl on concave foot ring. Covers raised with cast bud finial (pot covers hinged). Teapot, coffeepot, and creamer have high-looping handle. Sugar has c-scroll side handles. All handles have stylized volute scroll and dart mounts. Spare with repousse rinceaux band. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 1982, ...

With a masterfully applied black Raku glaze and a noticeable aesthetic of austerity and stillness, this piece is what is refereed to in Japanese as an “utsushi” or what we might call in English a “tribute piece.” Such pieces are typically made by all Raku potters, regardless of the kiln and tradition, and seek to emulate famous works from the early masters over 400 years ago—in this case, a tea bowl created by the brother of the second Kichizaemon, Tanaka Somi, born sometim...

This scroll contains a sutra written as [寿至蓬莱不老僊], pronounced in Japanese as “Jyu-Ita-Hōrai-Furō-Sen.” Originating from Chinese, the characters “蓬莱” refer to the mythical land of “Penglai,” home to the immortals. According to legend the trees that grow here cure all disease; there are rice bowls and flasks of wine that never go empty; and its great castles are built entirely out of gold and silver.

The brushwork is done by a Rinzai sect m...

Modern sterling silver ice bucket. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Straight and tapering sides with embossed hoops and flat c-scroll swing handle. Post-1967 Italian marks including maker’s stamp for Ganci Argenterie and retailer’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H (with handle) 13 x D 8 1/8 in. Weight: 33.3 troy ounces. #BZ336

Aesthetic sterling silver olive spoon. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1885. Cast stem with entwined leaf and olive. Shallow and pierced bowl with engraved leaves. At other end pick comprising graduated triangles. Butler finish. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 267. Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H 11 3/4 x W 1 x D 3/4 in. Weight: 2.2 troy ounces. #BZ228

Stylish Victorian sterling silver tray. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Round and plain well. Wide rim with low-relief border in form of imbricated leaves or chevrons. A popular motif that is sometimes known as Wave Edge. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 5766, and director’s letter C (1902-07). Very good condition.

Dimensions: 1/2 x D 11 in. Weight: 20.8 troy ounces. #BY472

Living in Kyoto it is not uncommon to come across beautiful antique tea bowls, however, finding pieces that are in good condition, aesthetically compelling, and with all of the trappings that let you know they were cared for by a devoted cha-jin can be quite challenging. Here we see all three. The shape of this tea bowl is exquisite and something I have not seen before in a Mino piece. The lacquer box, while not the original was undoubtedly custom made for this tea bowl and looks to be 100 - 200...

Olympian sterling silver wine cooler. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Each: Round with gently tapering sides and three reeded c-scroll handles with leaf mounts and caps. Foot ring with beading and bead-and-reel ornament, and 3 paw supports with leafy volute-scroll mounts. At bottom a dense repousse frieze of love-making, harp-strumming nymphs, gods, and cherubs. Gilt-washed interior. A beautiful early piece in the celebrated Beaux-Arts pattern that was conceived by French designer F. Antoine ...

Simple yet classic styling—this tea bowl is perfect for anyone looking for the quintessential Ido-shaped chawan crafted by one of Japan’s master Hagi potters.

Born in the famed pottery town of Karatsu in 1942, Zenzo Hatano spent a number of years learning the various styles particular to his region before taking up an apprenticeship under well-known Hagi potter Yoshiga Taibi. Winner of a number of awards including the Japan Crafts Exhibition Award in 1977, Hatano’s greatest d...

American Edwardian Classical sterling silver water pitcher, ca 1910. Retailed by Bailey, Banks & Biddle in Philadelphia. Wide-bodied baluster with leaf-capped c-scroll handle; raised foot. Garland-draped c-scroll band chased to body. Same applied to mouth rim. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp and no. 703. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 9 1/4 x W 9 x D 6 1/4 in. Weight: 33 troy ounces. #BY096

Japonesque sterling silver and mixed metal water pitcher. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1885. Globular body, straight neck, and c-scroll handle. Allover honeycomb hand hammering. Applied flowers, leafing tendrils, and butterflies. A restrained design with graceful plant and insect motifs. Fully marked including pattern no. 3077 and phrase “Sterling silver and other metals”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7 3/8 x W 8 x D 5 1/2 in. Weight: 25 troy ounces. #BM963

Victorian sterling silver baby cup. Made by John Aldwinckle & Thomas Slater in London in 1887. Straight and gently upward tapering sides and c-scroll handle. Ornamental borders engraved at top and bottom including ribbon-tied garlands. Festive and celebratory with plenty of room for announcing a special event. Interior gilt washed. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 x W 3 3/8 x D 2 3/8 in. Weight: 3.4 troy ounces. #BW400

English Thatcher-era sterling silver champagne set, 1981-3. Retailed by Asprey in London. This set comprises 4 flutes and 1 tray.

Each flute: Ovoid bowl on gilt cast stem in form of fruiting grapevine with leaves and bunches set in open foot. Tray round with deep well; shoulder inset with same. A stylish way to remember the no-apologies, let-it-rip capitalism of the Eighties.

Fully marked including maker’s stamp (Hector Miller) and London assay stamp. Flutes have retailer’s stamp. Tray h...

George V sterling silver tea tray. Made by Lionel Alfred Crichton in London in 1922. Oval well with reeded rim and leaf-capped c-scroll end handles. Classicism that works with traditional and Modern services. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 2 1/4 x L 29 x W 18 in. Well: L 21 1/2 x W 15 in. Heavy weight: 142 troy ounces. #BX660

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

German 800 silver figural stirrup cup, ca 1910. Cast boar head with flexed-back ears, fierce eyes, funny snout, and fearsome teeth and tusks. Bowl straight and tapering with tooled bands; gilt-washed interior. Marked. Very good condition with nice patina.

Pocket-sized dimensions: H 4 1/2 x W 1 7/8 in. Heavy weight: 5 troy ounces. #BZ597

Gorgeous Victorian Japonesque sterling silver baby cup. Made by William Hunter in London in 1877. Straight and upward tapering sides; leaf-mounted bamboo-style c-scroll handle. Dense and stylized acid-etched ornament with birds flitting amongst leafing and blossoming branches. Vertical arabesque frame (vacant). Gilt interior. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 3/4 x W 4 x D 2 3/4 in. Weight: 5.6 troy ounces. #BZ391