Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art (484)

Exceptionally fine Edwardian tortoishell letter box decorated with gold pique. The serpentine front is inlaid in a pattern of floral swags flanking a center wreath. The curved top has a matching wreath and swags as well as songbirds. The gold has a beautiful rose tint that contrasts nicely with the rich golden-brown of the tortoise, and the surfaces are intricately engraved to enhance the appearance. The use of gold for pique work was reserved for only the most expensive and impressive items. The back and sides of the box are covered in burgundy Morocco leather and the interior is covered in red silk moire. The workmanship and overall style of this piece suggests the workshop of William Comyns, though he more frequently worked in silver. Signed boxes by Comyns feature exactly the same lining and side upholstery and similar swag and wreath designs.

Origin: England, ca. 1905. Condition: very good, the front has a few hairlines (no hairlines on top), six of the tiny pins along the edge of the top are lacking, no loss to pique. Size: 10-1/8" x 5-3/4" x 7-1/4" tall.

NOTE: This item cannot be shipped outside the United States.

A very pretty sterling silver berry or casserole spoon by Durgin. The handle is nicely engraved in an ivy pattern, while the gilt bowl is engraved with a flock of butterflies. The back is stamped with Durgin's earliest hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent, no monogram, sharp detail, gilding faded to pale lemon. Size: 9" long. Weight: 59.0 grams.

A very fine berry or casserole spoon in John R. Wendt's "Medallion" pattern. The handle features an oval reserve centered with a medallion profile of the Greek goddess Pallas Athena. The elongated bowl is beautifully scalloped. The back of the medallion has a period monogram "A" and the stem is marked with the retailer's mark for Ball, Black & Co. and with "925" for sterling. Wendt did not use his own hallmark in this period.

Origin: America, ca. 1965. Condition: excellent sharp detail. Size: 8-3/4" long. Weight: 63.0 grams.

A magnificent sterling silver claret spoon by Dominick & Haff. This example is strikingly decorated in a pattern representing three different varieties of chrystanthemums. The decoration appears to be loosely based on Dominick & Haff's "#10" pattern, though this is much more ornate. The area around the flowers is intricately pierced in the rococo style. The back bears Dominick & Haff's hallmark and the pattern number "32".

Claret spoons were produced for a short time at the end of the 19th century. Despite being named for the famous red wine, their function really had nothing to do with wine. Small fruits and berries, perhaps soaked in an alcohol or other liquid, were often served from tall, narrow pitchers of cut glass, porcelain or silver. The long claret spoon was used to remove from the fruit from the pitchers. Today, the spoon could be used to serve sangria as well as various desserts based on fresh fruit.

Origin: America, ca. 1980. Condition: nerly mint, period "BBS" monogram. Size: 17" long. Weight: 113.0 grams.

A nice coin silver rattail spoon by John Brown, active in Baltimore from 1799, after apprenticing in Philadelphia. The bowl is rather narrow, suggesting it was to be used as a pap spoon. The spoon must have been an early piece from Brown's shop, as the design is quite clearly drawn from late 18th century styles. The three-letter monogram in a bright-cut cartouche is also characteristic of the period. The back is marked with Brown's punch.

Origin: Baltimore, ca. 1800. Condition: a few small to moderate dings in the bowl. Size: 5-5/8". Weight: 11.25 grams.

A very fine Imperial Russian lacquer box by Vishniakov. The lid is decorated with a winter scene showing an empty troika, still tethered to its horse, located just outside a snow-covered log building. The scene is beautifully detailed. The interior is lacquered in the dark rust shade characteristic of Vishniakov.

Origin: Russia, ca. 1880. Condition: the top shows considerably alligatoring, but no paint loss; two of the top corners have flakes (visible in photos); the interior has wear to the finish. Size: 5-3/4" x 3-7/8" x 1-11/16".

A pair of elegant Art Nouveau enameled Bohemian glass bowls with floriform decoration. The petals of a vivid pink flower curl up the sides and are interspersed with green tendrils. The flowers are echoed in the undulating rim decorated with a thin line of gilding. The overall workmanship is superb. This sort of decoration was produced by Theresienthal, Meyr’s Neffe, Lobmeyr or Fritz Heckert, and the quality of these pieces is consistent with any of those makers. Typically, this style is seen in goblets, but other tablewares such as these are more uncommon.

Origin: Bohemia, ca. 1895-1905. Condition: excellent, light wear to gilding at rim, no other enamel wear, no chips or cracks. Size: 3” tall, 4-1/2” diameter.

A very nice blue and white Chinese export porcelain plate in the Fitzhugh pattern. The central reserve is surrounded by a complimentary design in the four quadrants, all enclosed in a diapered border. The blue color is very intense and the porcelain body has a good, clear white color. The execution of the painted design suggests that the plate dates from the first quarter of the 19th century.

Origin: China, ca. 1810. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 8-5/16” diameter.

A wonderful sterling silver trout set in Towle's 1884 "Arlington" pattern. The handles are decorated in the repousse style with a profusion of roses and foliage. The decoration lends itself to being mixed with many of the repousse patterns from the Baltimore area. It is the blade of the trout knife, wonderfully decorated with an engraved trout leaping into the air after biting a lure (the entire casting rod in the background), that really sets these servers apart. Complete Victorian services included fish sets, but trout servers are extremely uncommon. They are a bit smaller than regular fish servers and have a slightly different shape. Towle, in particular, seems to have been fond of the form. The backs are stamped with Towle's hallmark and the retailer's mark "H. G. Shupp".

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, light surface wear, a small bend at the tip of the knife's upper lip. Size: fork, 8-1/8" long; knife, 10-1/4". Weight: 140.5 grams.

A very finely-made coin silver pastry or cake server, the handle decorated with a spray of flowers in the Aesthetic style. The blade has ornately shaped sholders and wonderful bright-cut engraving. The back of the handle has a period 3-letter monogram "MSS" and is marked "Pure Coin Pat. App. For". The retailer's mark is "Hutchinson & Connell".

Origin: America, ca. 1860. Condition: excellent, a very slight bend at the very tip of the blade and light surface wear, sharp details, traces of original gilding on blade. Size: 8-7/8" long. Weight: 70.0 grams.

A very nice hammered brass jardiniere from Russia's Imperial era. The vessel is raised on cast lion's paw feet and is flanked by ring handles grasped in cast lion's heads. The jardiniere is constructed in the traditional manner with seamed joints and a rolled lip. The bottom is stamped with the Imperial Romanov double-headed eagle.

Origin: Russia, ca. 1880. Condition: excellent, a few very small dings (difficult to see on the hammered surface). Size: 6-1/4" tall; 6-3/8" diameter.

A beautiful sterling silver berry or casserole spoon in Whiting's desirable 1896 "Dresden" pattern. The handle is decorated on both sides with sprays of roses. The matte gilt bowl is scalloped and decorated with repousse beading and volutes. The spoon is stamped with Whiting's hallmark and has the patent date indicating an early date of manufacture.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, original gilding intact, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 8-3/4" long. Weight: 87.0 grams.

A nice sterling silver long pickle/olive fork in the "Nautilus" pattern by Blackinton. The handle is ornately decorated with floral and shell motifs. The tines are parcel matte gilt and have foliate decoration at the shoulders to match the handle. The handle is monogrammed "L" on the front and has the date "[18]98" on the back.

Origin: America, 1898. Condition: excellent, original gilding intact, sharp detail. Size: 6-7/8" long. Weight: 14.0 grams.

A fine Victorian sterling silver sugar sifter with a medallion handle, possibly by George Sharp. Rather than the usual relief medallion, the handle features an applied medallion of considerable depth and detail looking straight forward. The medallion is surrounded ornate engraving that extends the full length of the handle. The engraving, as well as the overall outline of the handle, are very similar to known George Sharp patterns. Sugar sifters were used in the 19th century to break apart large pieces of sugar. Today, it could be used to serve vegetables or anything else that might need to be drained. The back is marked “Sterling” but does not have a maker’s mark.

Origin: America, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent, all original, no monogram. Size: 8-1/8” long. Weight: 76.0 grams.

A very fine 13-piece gilt silver coffee or tea service by Bruckmann & Soehne, one of Imperial Germany's leading silversmiths. Peter Bruckmann established the Deutscher Werkbund in 1907 to bring designs by the major German artists into the public realm. This service, strikingly decorated with classical figures, is a quintessential example. The slightly angular spade-shaped handles look forward to the Art Deco, while the subject matter itself depicts traditional Greek gods and goddesses. The spoons and tongs are presented in their original fitted case lined with silk and kid leather. The interior of the lid is embossed with the retailer's mark. Each piece is hallmarked with Bruckmann's hallmark, including the Imperial warrant.

Origin: Germany, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: spoons, 3-3/4" long; tongs, 3-7/8" long. Weight: 114.50 grams.

An elegant sterling silver olive serving spoon in an unnamed floral pattern by Baker Manchester Silver Co. This maker was especially known for their elegant silver serving pieces instead of full flatware services. The Art Nouveau style is evidenced by the trio of fully-opened roses that decorated the tip and center of the curving handle. The design is repeated in the scalloped and pierced bowl, and is shown in reverse on the back side of the spoon. The bowl retains its original matte gilding. The back is hallmarked by Baker Manchester.

Origin: America, ca. 1905. Condition: excellent, sharp details, original gilding, no monogram. Size: 6-1/2" long. Weight: 14.5 grams.

A rare hammered brass cigar humidor bearing the double-headed eagle insignia of Russia's Romanov dynasty. The tall humidor is of seamed construction and has a hammered surface. The front is decorated with the Romanov eagle applique attached with copper rivets. The interior of the domed lid has a recessed area with a lip that holds a moistened sponge to keep the cigars at the proper humidity. Humidors of this sort are quite rare and were likely used in the offices of lower ranking household officers or staff. The base is stamped with the Imperial warrant, indicating that the maker was an official provider to the Imperial family and its residences.

Origin: Russian, last quarter 19th century. Size: 4-7/8" diameter; 8-1/2" tall.

Sterling silver berry/serving spoon in Whiting's beautiful 1893 "Imperial Queen" pattern. This is one of the most sought-after patterns by this maker.

Origin: America, ca. 1895. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 7-5/8".

A very nice Victorian tartanware paper knife in the form of a pocket knife. The cover is in the McBeth tartan. The folding blade is carved from bone or ivory (the blade is too thin to be able to tell with certainty). Tartanware became popular in the mid-19th century because of Queen Victoria's fascination with Scotland. The colorful plaids were transformed into an enormous array of objects for daily use.

Origin: Scotland, ca. 1850. Condition: excellent, no paper missing, bright colors, very light wear at edges, thick original varnish. Size: 3-9/16" long (closed).

A nice Bohemian mercury tapered columnar-form mercury glass vase, the sides engraved through a bright red flashing to the silver. The pattern depicts a bird nesting among exotic flower and foliage. The design is accented with applied white lines. The silvering is not in as good condition as one would hope, but the very bright red flashing and the generous size more than makes up for it!

Origin: Bohemia, ca. 1870. Condition: silvering loss as noted above, no chips or cracks, bottom seal lost. Size: 11-1/4" tall.

A delightful and rare Victorian tartanware egg timer covered in an unidentified red, green, black and yellow. The top and bottom plates are in an unusual horseshoe shape. The posts are covered in tartan, as well. Exposed areas of wood are ebonized. The tartan is not named, and the piece is marked “Made in Scotland”. The timer measures exactly 3 mins.

Origin: Scotland, ca. 1895. Condition: very good, light wear to edges and varnish, but no major scuffs or missing paper. Size: 3-3/16” tall.

A pretty Victorian maple swing-handle sewing basket, the interior lined with colorful pleated silk plaid. The bottom, upper frame and handles are constructed of maple, and the spindles forming the sides of the basket are ebonized.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, except for a narrow age split in the wood at one end of the upper frame. Size: 8-1/8" x 5-3/4" x 9" high.

A delightful and very rare Staffordshire ironstone puzzle jug by Elsmore & Forster. The sides are decorated with colorful scenes of a cockfight below the lip, while the sides feature large images of the famed circus clown “Cashmore”. The foot, rim and handle are highlighted with red stripes. The interior has a hidden siphon system that causes the contents to spill when the jug is tipped, unless the pourer covers the small air hole on the inside of the handle. The base is marked with Elsmore & Forster’s underglaze stamp.

Origin: England, ca. 1860. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 8-7/8” tall.

A pretty Victorian mercury glass vase in tapered and ribbed columnar form with a foot. The body has a matte surface decorated with a pretty bouquet of blue and white flowers. The vase has a nice small size that is not easy to find.

Origin: Bohemia, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent, a tiny area of oxidation near the base of the bouquet, no plug. Size: 6-1/8” tall.

A very fine Nailsea-Stourbridge green bottle glass paperweight with a foiled flower pot design. A large central petunia-type flower arises on a slender stem from the well-formed pot, and is surrounded with two additional circlets of smaller flowers, four to each layer. This example is particularly nice with a good, clear gather of glass and a fine shape. The bottom has the rough pontil.

Origin: England, mid-19th century. Condition: excellent, very light surface wear. Size: 4" diameter; 4-3/4" tall.

An amazing whimsical game board reverse painted on glass. The checkerboard design is worked in bright shades of lime green and burgundy, the individual squares outlined with borders painted in orange, red, lavender ocher and gray. The board is decorated with ornate flourishes at each corner bearing the names “Agnes”, “Edd”, “Beulah” and “Mother”. The outer edge is painted in burgundy. The overall appearance is very graphic and reminds us of a good patchwork quilt. The glass retains its original heavy wood frame highlighted with gilding. The backboard is original and the glass appears never to have been out of its frame. The piece could be hung on a wall or custom-fitted with a stand for use as a table.

Origin: America, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent, superficial scratches to the glass surface and wear to the finish of the frame from use as a game board, no paint loss. Size: 20-3/4” x 20-3/4”.

An extremely rare sterling silver ladle for serving warm alcohol-based punch. The globe-form bowl is the traditional shape for toddy ladles. Today, the ladle could be used for various sauces or beverages such as egg nog—or even a toddy! The straight handle is ornamented with simple turnings before swelling to an olive-shaped terminal decorated with bright-cut floral engraving. The back of the terminal has a period three-letter monogram engraved in a matching style. The inner and outer surfaces of the bowl are heavily stippled and gilt. The back of the handle bears the retailer’s mark “J E Caldwell”. The style indicates this is an early piece of sterling, probably made just after the sterling standard was introduced in America by Tiffany.

Origin: America, ca. 1865. Condition: excellent, all original gilding. Size: 8-3/4” long. Weight: 113.0 grams.

A nice pair of painted cast iron curtain tiebacks in the form of sunflowers. The original paint is nicely applied with good shading.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, original paint, very minimal paint chipping along edges. Size: 2-1/4” diameter.

A nice late Victorian South Jersey (Vineland/Millville area) glass paperweight with a frit “Home Sweet Home” design. The set-up is worked entirely in white frit and has few nice features including potted plants on the lawn, a picket fence, and a Y-shaped sidewalk. The glass is clean and has good magnification. The flat base is polished.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: good, no chips or cracks, a few tiny fleabites along the bottom rim, a number of scratches from normal use to the flat base, two shallow moons on the side of the crown. Size: 3-1/16” diameter; 1-5/8” high.

A magnificent and extraordinarily rare tole tray depicting the surrender of the French army to the English following the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1760. The quality of painting is stunning. The two figures in the foreground represent General James Wolfe (in red) and the Marquis de Montcalm (in blue). Both generals died from their wounds within hours of the end of the battle, but the painter took artistic liberties by presenting them both in apparently good health. Montcalm passes his baton to Wolfe as a flag-bearer lowers the French royal flag to the ground as a gesture of defeat. British officers can be seen standing at attention behind Wolfe. A tent encampment appears in the background. The scene is enclosed within a gilt border. Toleware was popular in the late 18th and early 19th century, and this example was most certainly painted shortly after the famous victory, while British patriotism surged. The quality of painting, as well as that of the metal tray itself, is superb and shows the hand of a master. Scenic toleware, in general, is quite desirable, but a piece that illustrates such a pivotal event and in such a beautiful way is really beyond rare! The tray could be hung on a wall or could be custom-fitted with a base for use as a table.

Origin: England, ca. 1760. Condition: excellent, all original paint, less than 1% paint loss, a slight bend in the rim near the upper left corner. Size: 30-1/4” x 21-7/8”.

A very good fruit bouquet paperweight by the New England Glass Company. Four pears alternate with cherries and foliage around a central pear. The lampwork fruit is particularly nice in this weight. The bouquet is presented against a spiraling double latticinio basket. The dome is high and offers nice magnification. The crystal is a bit sugary, as is typical of many NEGC weights. The concave base has a wide basal ring.

Origin: America, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent, absolutely minimal surface wear to the dome. Size: 2-1/2" diameter; 2-1/8" tall.

A classic Sandwich glass hyacinth vase in a rich amethyst shade. The vase is entirely hand blown, shows the traces of hand marvering. The deeply concave base has a rough pontil and a basal ring showing the expected wear. Hyacinth vases, sometimes called tulip vases or bulb vases, were used to force flowering bulbs for wintertime blooms indoors. They were quite the rage and some Victorian homes had numbers of vases arrayed on windowsills. Pieces by Sandwich are uncommon. An identical example to this, except in cobalt blue and with a large rim chip, sold at auction in July 2006 for $2127.50.

Origin: America, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 9" tall.

A very good jasper ground glass paperweight by St. Louis. The sole decoration is the pink and white jasper cushion which completely fills the dome. The glass is heavy and nicely clear. The polished concave bottom has relatively wide basal ring.

Origin: France, ca. 1850. Condition: excellent, a surface nick on one side about 1/2" above the base and a tiny fleabite about two-thirds up the side of the crown. Size: 2-3/4" diameter; 1-3/4" high.

A lovely cobalt blue blown glass hyacinth or bulb vase in the classic cone shape. The flared rim was intended to hold a hyacinth or other bulb just above the water line to root. Forcing bulbs was a popular Victorian pursuit and hyacinth vases were lovely adornments for kitchen and conservatory windows. The quality of glass is very good and cobalt blue is a desirable color. The bottom has a sheared pontil.

Origin: America, probably New England, ca. 1890. Condition: no chips or cracks. Size: 6-1/8" tall.

A lovely teal green blow glass hyacinth or bulb vase in the classic cone shape. The flared rim was intended to hold a hyacinth or other bulb just above the water line to root. Forcing bulbs was a popular Victorian pursuit and hyacinth vases were lovely adornments for kitchen and conservatory windows. The teal green is an unusual shade. The bottom has a sheared pontil.

Origin: America, probably New England, ca. 1890. Condition: no chips or cracks, some water staining on interior. Size: 6-5/16" tall.

A very fine Chinese export porcelain basin with decoration in the Rose Medallion style. The interior bottom of the basin is divided into four quadrants, with alternating floral and courtyard scenes. The interior walls are likewise decorated. The everted rim is dcorated with floral reserves punctuating an allover floral pattern against a gilt background. The outer walls are decorated with simple sprays of peonies that echo the interior decoration. The quality of painting is quite nice and the colors are well-chosen. The rim is finished with a gilt band.

Origin: China, ca. 1865. Condition: excellent, only the slightest of wear to the gilding along the rim, no chips or cracks. Size: 16" diameter; 5" high.

An exquisite set of four sterling silver blotter corners by M.C. Cone. Each corner is made up of a pair of leaves flanking a stylized dogwood blossom, all worked from sheet silver. The upper two corners have the initials “AB” worked into the design, indicating that these were commissioned for the original owner. The backs are signed “Cone Sterling”. M.C. Cone, listed as a metalworker in the 1906/07 edition of the “National Directory of Workers in the Artistic Crafts” worked in West Hartford, Connecticut, not far from where these blotter corners were found. The quality of both design and workmanship is of the very highest level.

Origin: America, ca. 1905. Condition: excellent, all original, no dings. Size: 2-3/4” x 2-3/4”. Weight: 158.5 grams.

A wonderful Victorian ironstone footed fruit compote decorated in an underglaze blue floral pattern. Distinctly Asian in flavor, the pattern depicts prunus blossoms and peonies surrounded by rocky outcroppings, foliage and hovering butterflies. The edges are finished in a diaper border. Either end has a leafy handle, heavily accented with gilding similar in style to that found on Old Paris porcelains. The overall shape and use of gilding suggests an early date. The bottom is marked with F. Morley & Co.’s underglaze stamp.

Origin: England, ca. 1845. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, there are three small glaze misses near the upper rim, original gilding intact. Size: 12-1/2” x 9” x 5-5/8” tall.

A lovely and unusual Victorian sterling silver jelly knife in Towle’s 1880 “No. 128” pattern. Also known as “No. 28”, this pattern is characterized by a twisted handle, accented with beautiful bright-cut engraving. The serving end is shaped in the form of a leaf and is matte-gilt to highlight the floral engraving. Originally intended to serve savory jellies, the piece could now be used for pastries. The back is hallmarked by Towle and has the pattern number.

Origin: America, ca. 1880. Condition: excellent, original gilding intact, there may be a slight bend toward the tip of the serving end but it’s difficult to be certain because of the naturalistic form of the bowl. Size: 8-3/8” long. Weight: 45.0 grams.

A very fine early cut crystal wine decanter with etched grapevine decoration. The neck is panel cut and accented with a diamond-cut ring at the base. The panel cutting extends past the ring on the shoulders and resumes at the base. The sides are beautifully decorated with an etched grapevine pattern. The etching is finely done. The base is star-cut. The hollow-blown stopper is panel cut to match the decanter's neck. The inside of the neck and the base of the stopper are etched with matching numbers, indicating this is the original stopper. The glass is quite heavy and very brilliant. If American, the decanter is probably the product of the New England Glass Company. If European, it is either English or Bohemian.

Origin: probably American, ca. 1850. Condition: the stopper has a 1/8" flake at the very top and a few small roughnesses at the high points around the periphery, some discoloration to the interior, otherwise excellent. Size: 14-1/2" tall.

Flint EAPG ale goblet in the "Colonial" pattern, probably by the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company. The goblet has a very attractive, narrow form. Nice clarity.

Origin: America, ca. 1850. Condition: no chips or cracks, a scratch on the bottom interior of the bowl, normal frosted wear on the bottom. Size: 6-3/8" tall.

Flint EAPG goblet in the "Washington" pattern produced by the New England Glass Company. The clarity is excellent.

Origin: America, ca. 1860. Condition: no chips or cracks, normal frost wear on base. Size: 5-13/16" high.

A fine pair of sterling silver sugar tongs in the classic “Kings” pattern. The design is very nicely worked and the tongs are generously sized. The inside of the tongs are fully hallmarked for London, 1837. They also bear the William IV duty mark. This mark, used in conjunction with the 1837 date mark, was used for only 22 days before being changed to the Victoria duty mark. The maker’s mark is that of either William Barber or William Barrett II.

Origin: England, 1837. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 6” long. Weight: 59.0 grams.

A lovely pair of hyacinth vases in teal blue glass. The classic shape is slightly conical with a widely flaring rim for resting the bulb over the water. These vases are especially attractive because of their rich color. Forcing hyacinths and other bulbs to bloom indoors was something of a Victorian passion that continued well into the 20th century.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 7" tall.

Very nice Imperial Russian peacock blue pressed glass tea box. Glass tea caddies are difficult to find in this color. The design features fans, strawberry diamonds and Russian cane motifs. The box is bound with silverplated mountings and a lock. The box was almost certainly made by the “OtyM.F. Atelier”. Locked tea boxes were a holdover from earlier days when tea was a precious commodity that had to be kept safe from marauding servants.

Origin: Russia, ca. 1900. Condition: very good, some roughnesses along the bottom edge; normal wear to the plating. Size: 4-7/8” x 3-7/8” x 4-1/8”.

A classic Sandwich glass hyacinth vase in a rich amethyst shade. The vase is entirely hand blown, shows the traces of hand marvering, and has a large oblong bubble on one side about two inches above the bottom. The deeply concave base has a rough pontil and a basal ring showing the expected wear. Hyacinth vases, sometimes called tuplip vases or bulb vases, were used to force flowering bulbs for wintertime blooms indoors. They were quite the rage and some Victorian homes had numbers of vases arrayed on windowsills. Pieces by Sandwich are uncommon. An identical example to this, except in cobalt blue and with a large rim chip, sold at auction in July 2006 for $2127.50.

Origin: America, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 9" tall.

A classic Sandwich glass hyacinth vase in a rich teal shade. The vase is entirely hand blown and shows the traces of hand marvering. The deeply concave base has a rough pontil and a basal ring showing the expected wear. Hyacinth vases, sometimes called tuplip vases or bulb vases, were used to force flowering bulbs for wintertime blooms indoors. They were quite the rage and some Victorian homes had numbers of vases arrayed on windowsills. Pieces by Sandwich are uncommon. An identical example to this, except in cobalt blue and with a large rim chip, sold at auction in July 2006 for $2127.50.

Origin: America, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 9-1/4" tall.

A fine boxed set of 12 sterling silver demitasse spoons in Gorham's 1896 "Maryland" pattern. The fronts of the handles are decorated scrolls, shells and pendant bouquets, while the backs are accented with simple scrolling and a shell motif near the bowls. The bowls are parcel gilt. This is a particularly lovely pattern--ornate, but not over the top. The spoons are presented in their original fitted box, the inside lid of which is marked with the logo of Gorham's New York City retail store. Each spoon is stamped with an older Gorham hallmark and the patent date.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, all original, no monograms. Size: 4-1/16" long. Weight: 104.5 grams.

A beautiful Victorian art glass short vase or cachepot in luscious shades of caramel. The vase is made in the manner of plated amberina, except that the color shades from a light toffee at the bottom to a dark nut brown at the rim. The interior plating is pale caramel. The vase is blown into a twisted four-lobed shape with a slightly everted rim. The sides are elegantly decorated with handpainted apple blossoms and foliage in restrained shades to complement the colors of the glass. The quality of decoration is easily on par with the best Wavecrest, Royal Flemish or other major American art glass types. The base has a polished concave pontil and has a painted decorator's mark "P.671/3."

Origin: probably Bohemian, possibly English, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, no glass or enamel damage. Size: 6" x 6" x 5-3/8" tall.

An outstanding Arts & Crafts style 900 silver letter opener, the top embellished with an enameled horses head against a stippled background. The letter opener is quite heavy and both the silver and the enamel are of the finest quality. Marked “900”.

Origin: Continental Europe, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, all original, no enamel damage. Size: 8” long. Weight: 69.5 grams.

A fine sterling silver gravy ladle in the 1892 “Richelieu” patterns by Tiffany & Co. This is one of Tiffany’s great early patterns and is very sought after today. It is distinguished by shell motifs at the handle and pendant bellflowers that lead down the stem. The flattened bowl is elegantly gadrooned to match the scalloped edge. The back is marked with Tiffany’s hallmark in use 1891-1902.

Origin: America, ca. 1895. Condition: excellent, sharp details, no monogram. Size: 7-3/8” long. Weight: 83.5 grams.

A handsome Victorian bronze pen tray with a native American motif. One end of the tray has a very detailed representation of an Indian wearing a feathered headdress and various jewelry. The tray itself has a wonderful relief scene depicting an encampment. A group of warriors are gathered around a fire smoking a pipe and wearing feathered bonnets and loincloths. Teepees are in the background, along with a number of palm trees. Even as late as the end of the 19th century, European representations of Native American scenes often included such inconsistencies. Most of the artists and craftsmen, having not traveled to America themselves, were blissfully unaware that the Great Plains generally weren’t dotted with palm tree groves. The casting is excellent. The bottom edge is marked “Austria”.

Origin: Austria, ca. 1895. Condition: excellent, original patina. Size: 9-7/8” x 3-3/4”.

A very good cut glass vase by Clark in the "Iris" pattern. The lower third and the flared rim are cut with elongated hobstars flanked by mitred triangles of strawberry diamond cutting enhanced with fans; and the neck is cut with panels of printies alternating with notched prisms. The base is cut with a 20-point hobstar and has Clark’s script acid signature. The pattern is either "Iris" or a variant of “American Beauty”. The cutting is very precise and the polish is excellent.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, a small nick to only one tooth at the rim. Size: 10-1/4” tall.

A delightful Georgian lacquered papier-maché snuffbox or tobacco box. The hinged cover is decorated with a handpainted scene depicting a court scene. The sides of the box are painted in colorful floral tracery against a dark green ground. The bottom is decorated with a large gilt medallion against a black background. Interestingly, the facial characteristics of the two people appear to be Chinese, but the interior decor is most definitely in the Persian taste. It is, of course, almost certain that the decorator never stepped foot outside the town in which he was born, and had no idea that Middle Eastern and East Asian people look different.

Origin: probably England, ca. 1800. Condition: excellent, surface decoration is very fine, light wear along the edges of the lid. Size: 3-1/2" x 2" x 1-1/16".

Phenomenal Art Nouveau crystal shallow bowl, the bottom with intaglio engraving of a large pansy blossom. The flowers petals are beautifully handpainted in shades of burgundy and then gilt. The flower is surrounded by translucent foliage. The scalloped rim of the bowl is gilt to coordinate with the floral decoration. This piece, with its single large flower, is much more assertive than the more common small reverse-carved pieces such nappies and short compotes. We're not certain if the bowl is Bohemian or French. The pansy was a very popular floral motif in France during the Art Nouveau period. The French word for pansy ("pensée") is also the word for thought and the floral image was often employed to signify and sentimental gift of remembrance or affection.

Origin: Continental Europe, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, 98% of painting and gilding intact. Size: 10-1/2" diameter; 1-1/2" high.

A very nice Victorian lacquered papier-mache folding corner shelf decorated with Chinese court scenes depicting a pair of noble ladies relaxing amidst their finery. The design is worked in gold and silver metallic inks and is accented with iron red and flesh-tone colors. Lacquered papier-mache with Chinese motifs were popular in both England and France, and the style of this example suggests and English origin. Ca. 1840. Condition: excellent, bright colors, all original. Size: 5” on each side; extends 5-1/2” from back corner.

Superb American coin silver soup ladle, the bright-cut flared handle narrowing to a twist handle that leads to the deeply scalloped bowl. Twist handle pieces are especially desirable, particularly when combined with other outstanding decorative elements. The back is stamped with the mark for Farrington & Hunnewell, silversmiths who worked in Boston beginning in 1835.

Origin: America, ca. 1850. Condition: excellent, no monogram or monogram removal. Size: 11” long. Weight: 150.0 grams.

A very rare and elegant Victorian sterling silver pie knife in Gorham’s 1894 “Imperial Chrysanthemum” pattern. The handle is decorated with an ornate design of chrysanthemum blossoms and foliage that extends down onto the blade and shoulders of the blade. The back of the handle is decorated with a complementary design. Pie knives or pie servers are difficult to find in the better patterns. The back is marked with Gorham’s older hallmark and also has the patent date, indicating that the piece was made during the period.

Origin: America, ca. 1895. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 9-1/8” long.

A nice Griffin, Smith & Hill majolica pitcher in the "Wild Rose" pattern. The bulbous sides are decorated with yellow wild rose blossoms and green foliage against a stippled ivory background. The base has a medium-blue basketweave pattern and the lip is finished in a reeded pattern in the same shade. The pitcher has an applied twig handle and a butterfly forms the pouring spout. The interior is pink.

Origin: America, ca. 1875. Condition: very good, no cracks, a few very small nicks on the upper rim (1/32" to 3/16"). Size: 4-1/2" tall.

A terrific folding paper knife, the body covered in the colorful “Caledonia” tartan. The blade is carved from bone and has a locking mechanism just as any other pocket knife would have. These are sometimes called fruit knives, but I’m reasonably certain they were intended for use as paper knives or letter openers. Tartanware became popular after Queen Victoria caused a rage for all things Scottish through her love of Scotland.

Origin: Scotland, ca. 1860. Condition: excellent, light wear to the varnish on one side, no missing paper. Size: closed, 3-21/32” long; open, 7-3/8” long.