Catalog (2409)

Early Staffordshire porcelain saucer decorated with bright polychrome enamels and pink luster arranged in a very pretty wreath pattern. The body is very slightly molded into lobes along the edges.

Origin: England, c. 1840. Condition: good; a small crow's foot on the back side and a small bite to the bottom rim. Size: 5-5/8" diam.

Fabulous figural silverplated shellfish server. Of the highest quality, this piece is formed as two mussel shells flanking an oyster shell, with a double strap handle reminiscent of seaweed. The bottom is marked with a "N & W" hallmark, along with the pattern number "424" and the registry number "333221" indicating a date of 1899.

Origin: England, 1899. Condition: virtually mint. Size: 11" x 11" x 5-1/4" high.

Terrific chair mat or small round rug hooked in a pattern of two white cats with large blue eyes and big red bows against a field of blue-grey surrounded by a burgundy and black double border. Hooked on a burlap foundation with wool and cotton. Very good condition, except for some discoloration and wear to the black border. 15" diameter. American, probably New England, 19th century.

Six elegant Victorian fruit or desert knives with mother of pearl handles and sterling silver ferules with triple-banded decoration in a vine motif. The scimitar-shaped blades are silverplate and are marked "A. Stinnells Co., Inc." American, circa 1890. Excellent condition; one blade has a very small spot of wear to the plating. 6" long.

Wonderful 7-piece toleware spice set comprised of a handled tray, four spice tins, and two spice tins with sifter tops. Two of the regular tin lids are decorated with a red and yellow pomegranate design; one has a red, yellow and green strawberry design; and one has a red, yellow and green tulip and flower design. The sifter lids are simply decorated with yellow and red arcs. The sides of all the tins are decorated with a squiggly yellow line, as are the sides of the tray. The handle of the tray is decorated with green foliage.

Origin: American, probably central Pennsylvania, 19th century. Condition: excellent; all the tins have wear to the lower third where they rub against the sides of the tray; all original finish with appropriate alligatoring; the lid of one tin is a bit loose, but all the others are very tight. Size: tray--5.5" x 8" x 4" tall; tins--2-7/8" tall x 2-5/8" diam.

Exceptional American coin silver melon spoon in the Grecian taste. Although simply marked "Coin" this spoon could easily be the work of Gorham, Coles, or other makers of similar repute. The matte finished bowl is decorated with repousse lobes highlighted with bright cut engraving; the handle solely with bright cut engraving.

Origin: America, New England or Mid-Atlantic region; circa 1860. Condition: excellent; no monogram. Size: 8.25" long.

Lovely sterling silver bowl by Gorham. The bowl is basically formed in the traditional Revere style, but has a folded over rim enhanced with an Art Nouveau border of waterlilies and lilypads. With Gorham's usual attention to detail, the waterlilies are presented in several stages of development from early bud to full bloom. The bottom is marked with Gorham's hallmark along with date mark for 1898.

Condition: very good; the decorative detail is very crisp; the interior of the bowl shows light scratching from normal use; there is one pinpoint ding on the bottom of the bowl; retains lemony-tinted gilding in and near the decorative areas; no monograms or removals. Size: 6.5" diam.; 2.25" high. Weight: 8.8 troy ounces.

Very fine Victorian gold brooch composed of a coral bar surmounted by a gold grapevine motif, all against a scalloped-edge gold plaque, hung with three cone-shaped gold pendants. The back retains the original tube hinge and c-clasp. There is also a ring for attaching a safety chain. The brooch was made by Ball, Black and Company of New York City.

An matching brooch is in Martha Fales collection of important American jewelry at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The museum's collection, comprising approximately 140 pieces, is considered the world's finest collection of American jewelry. The brooch, with matching earrings and studs is pictured on page 136 of the April 2002 edition of "The Magazine Antiques."

Origin: New York, circa 1860-70. Condition: excellent. Size: 1-1/8" x 1-1/2".

Extraordinary majolica tile raised on bun feet. The tile features a sinuous painted Art Nouveau design of elegant swans swimming in a river with a cityscape beyond, surrounded by a border of bamboo. The design has a distinctly impressionist look that brings to mind some of the Rookwood vellum patterns. The bottom is impressed "66" and has an illegibly impressed maker's mark.

Origin: European, circa 1880. Condition: superficial glaze scratching from normal wear; glaze crazing only on the underneath side. Size: 9.25" square; 1.5" high.

Extremely rare pair of Victorian cast iron flamingo garden ornaments. Dating from the late 19th century, these flamingos are exceptional. I've seen many later versions in concrete or plastic, but never another pair this old or made of cast iron. These birds appear to be enjoying their third or fourth layer of paint, but the newest layer appears to be a good 50 years old. The outermost and innermost layers are nearly the same color, with an intervening layer of softer pink. The most recent painter splattered some of the pink paint onto the green bases. Each bird was cast in two parts. The legs are screwed into openings at the bottom of the birds and then into the cast bases. The detail is outstanding, with even the bases having a rocking texture. I cannot find a signature, but there could possibly be one underneath the paint.

Origin: American, possibly by Fisk or another iron foundry of equal stature, late 19th century. Condition: see description of paint history above; no missing parts or cracks; rust appropriate to age. Size: 15" and 19.75" tall.

Six very nice sterling silver cocktail or seafood forks elegantly decorated on both the front and back sides. The backs are marked "Sterling Pat. Jan. 21 [18]'99". Unknown American maker.

Origin: American, circa 1899. Condition: excellent; no monograms. Size: 5-1/8" long.

Large Victorian sterling silver meat serving fork, the tines with matte gilding and bright-cut engraving. The reverse is marked "925 Sterling 1000". Nice weight. Unknown American maker.

Origin: American, circa 1890. Condition: excellent; no monogram. Size: 8-1/8" long.

Lovely Victorian sterling silver pickle fork, the handle decorated with shells and roses. The back is marked "925 Sterling 1000". Prior to 1916, many American silversmiths did not mark their flatware with their names. Unknown maker.

Origin: America, circa 1895. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 5-5/8" long.

Sterling silver sugar spoon with very fine decoration of a peacock amidst trailing foliage. The bowl is parcel gilt and is decorated with bright-cut engraving. The reverse is marked "Sterling". Before 1916, many American silversmiths did not mark their name on flatware.

Origin: America, circa 1885. Condition: excellent, period monogram "B" on reverse side. Size: 5-5/8" long.

Six lovely Victorian sterling silver cocktail forks decorated in a pattern of roses and foliage. The backs are also decorated and are hallmarked with a 4-leaf clover, but I cannot identify the maker. They are also marked "Sterling Pat. '92[1892]". Very nice quality.

Origin: America, circa 1892. Condition: excellent; period monogram "CLM". Size: 5-5/8" long.

Staffordshire poodle figure with confetti "fur" and painted facial details.

Origin: England, circa 1850. Condition: excellent, except that the tip of the front paw has been professionally repaired (difficult to see without a blacklight). Size: 3-3/4" tall.

Pair of Staffordshire pottery cake plates with light blue transfer decoration in the Canton or "Willow" theme. Neither plate is marked.

Origin: England, circa 1850. Condition: one plate has a crow's foot visible only from the back; the other has a 1/2" flake on the back of the rim; both have some staining, particularly along the rims. Size: 10" diam.

Elegant sterling silver sauce ladle by Baker-Manchester Co. The lobed bowl has matte gilding and the rare feature of a pouring spout. The reverse is marked with the company's hallmark.

Origin: America, circa 1898. Condition: near mint, no monogram. Size: 5-1/4" long.

Ornate sterling silver meat serving fork, the handle decorated with shells, scrolls, roses and beads, and the matte-gilded tines decorated with bright cut engraving. The reverse is marked "925Sterlin1000", a marking frequently seen on American sterling silver before silversmith's were required to identify their work.

Origin: America, circa 1895. Condition: excellent, period monogram "G". Size: 7-3/4" long.

Elegant sterling silver pickle fork in the 1891 "Corinthian" pattern by the Roger Williams Silver Co. The fork is very heavy and is wonderfully decorated with deep scrolls that rise from the surrounding smooth areas.

Origin: America, 1891-1900. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 6" long.

Very heavy sterling silver serving spoon in Dominick & Haff's outstanding 1898 "New King" pattern. This is one of the company's best patterns and is very difficult to find. The reverse is also marked with the retailer's mark for Bailey, Banks & Biddle.

Origin: America, circa 1898. Condition: excellent, sharp details, period monogram "G". Size: 8-5/16" long.

Fabulous and extremely rare hand-forged iron trade sign in the form of a pretzel. The sign retains an old gilt surface. There is a strong trace of red, yellow and blue paint on the back side and edges of the pretzel, no doubt the colors that were used on the wall or backboard to which the sign was attached through the 13 mounting holes. There also appears to be a red layer underneath the gold. This layer was probably intended to be an undercoating to give the gilding more depth. I don't think the pretzel was originally red and then gilded later. In any case, the gilt surface has considerable age, and probably dates from at least the late 19th century. Approximately 10% of the gilt surface shows wear (nearly all of it on the left side.

Origin: America, found in south-central Pennsylvania, circa mid-19th century. Condition: see paint description above, no cracks. Size: 18-1/2" x 15-1/2" x 1".

Extremely rare oil lamp featuring a base of mercury glass decorated with floral painting and satin finishing. The floral decoration is an autumnal design depicting leaves and wheat in shades of brown, gold, green and cream, accented with cornflowers in blue and small orange flowers. The mercury glass has extensive satin finish which further emphasizes the shiny surfaces. The oil reservoir is flint glass of the highest quality cut in a 12-panel design. The metal mounting between the oil reservoir and the mercury glass base is gilt in a way that the mercury glass blends seamlessly into the rest of the lamp. The shade, no doubt a plain clear glass shade, is gone. The wick knob is marked "Ideal Brenner 20".

Origin: American, almost certainly New England Glass Company, circa 1840-80. Condition: excellent, no cracks or chips, painted decoration intact. Size: 17-1/2" tall (to top of burner).

Very elegant Neoclassical sterling silver server, ideal for either pastry or fish. The handle is decorated simply with banded reeds and laurel boughs, and the pierced blade is decorated with engraved laurel boughs and acanthus leaves. The back of the blade is marked with the French export silver hallmarks for 1879.

Origin: France, circa 1879. Condition: excellent, sharp details, period monogram "RS" on back side of handle. Size: 10-3/4" long. Weight: app. 5.5 troy ounces.

Outstanding sterling silver master salt spoon in a rococo pattern by Gorham. I have not been able to put a name to this assymetrical pattern, although it is very similar to "Marie Antoinette" and "Dresden". The bowl is parcel gilt. The reverse is marked with Gorham's old hallmark.

Origin: America, circa 1885. Condition: excellent, gilding intact, crisp details, period mongram "Y". Size: 3-5/8" long.

A very rare and elegant sterling silver fish server in Whiting's fine 1891 "Louis XV" pattern. The blade retains traces of a very light lemony gilding to protect from the saltiness of fish. The back is marked with Whiting's hallmark alond with the patent date. The server remains in its original box crafted of leather and silk. The inside lid is stamped "G. Seifert/Quebec".

Origin: America, circa 1890s. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, period monogram "AOL"; the leather box has considerable scuffs. Size: 9-1/2" long.

Ornate sterling silver meat serving fork featuring a heavily scrolled handle with matte-gilt, bright-cut tines. The back is marked "925 Sterling 1000". Many late 19th century silver makers did not otherwise mark their wares.

Origin: America, circa 1890s. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 7-1/2" long.

Excellent Staffordshire children's cup illustrating the letter "H". The blue transfer decoration shows the letter amidst scenery filled with "H" words--horse, house, hound and horn. The cup has very nice color and a thick bluish glaze typical of Staffordshire pottery.

Origin: England, circa 1850. Condition: very good, a tiny (1/8") flake at the top rim. Size: app. 3" diam., 3-1/8" high.

Nice sterling silver sugar spoon in Whiting's classic 1880 "Bead" pattern. Whiting's designs are valued because of the small details such as the scalloped edges of the bowl. The reverse is marked with Whiting's old hallmark.

Origin: America, circa 1880s. Condition: excellent, no monogram.

Lovely 84 standard silver pickle fork with traditional engraved decoration on both the front and back of the handle, and on the back of the tines. Fully hallmarked for Moscow, 1895. The assayer's mark is that of A. Sevyer. The maker's mark is "NA" (transliterated).

Origin: Moscow, Russia, 1895. Condition: excellent, a tiny bend at the tip of one tine. Size: 4-1/4" long.

Victorian silver plated sugar tongs in the Gothic Revival taste. Each of the twisted sides is decorated with a woman (who looks curiously like a nun) holding a child, and an angel-like figure. The oval tips are gilt.

Origin: probably Continental, circa 1880. Condition: excellent. Size: 4-3/8" long.

Sterling silver berry spoon in Whiting's 1891 "Louis XV" pattern. This is the smaller-sized berry spoon, and is appropriate for serving a wide range of side dishes or, of course, berries. The back is marked with Whiting's hallmark and the patent date, indicating that this is an older piece.

Origin: America, circa 1890s. Condition: excellent, sharp details, no monogram. Size: 7-5/8" long.

Very rare sterling silver individual berry spoon in Whiting's 1891 "Louis XV" pattern. This is a rare form and the unusual broad shape of the bowl matches that shape of the large berry serving spoons. The bowl is lightly gilt. The back is stamped with Whiting's hallmark, the patent date (indicating an older piece) and the retailer's mark "Jacquemin & Co."

Origin: America, circa 1890s. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 5" long.

Sterling silver sugar spoon in Whiting's 1891 "Louis XV" pattern. The spade-shaped bowl is slightly scalloped at the neck for decorative appeal. The back is stamped with Whiting's hallmark, the patent date (indicating an older piece) and the retailer's mark "A. Stowell & Co." (Baltimore).

Origin: American, circa 1890s. Condition: excellent, very light wear, no monogram. Size: 6" long.

Outstanding sterling silver sardine fork with a fabulous Art Nouveau pattern of Oriental poppies and foliage. Both the front and back are beautifully detailed. The tines are lightly matte gilt. The back is stamped with the hallmark for the Baker Manchester Silver Co. (Providence, RI), a company famous for its ornate serving pieces.

Origin: America, circa 1900. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 5-1/4" long.

Lovely sterling silver berry or casserole spoon in Towle's 1890 "Albany" pattern. Very Victorian in its styling, the decoration makes good use of delicate flowers, swirling foliage, and a beautifully double-scalloped and matte gilt bowl. The back is marked with Towle's hallmark.

Origin: America, circa 1890s. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, period monogram "H"(?). Size: 9-1/8" long.

Very nice Staffordshire spaniel well-painted with black spots, gray accents and a gold padlock collar.

Origin: England, circa 1860. Condition: excellent, except for a 1/8" glaze flake on the back of one ear. Size: 3-7/8" tall.

19th century cast iron figure of an angel raising a laurel wreath above her head and holding a ship's anchor. Obviously intended as a symbol of the wishes for a sailor's safe return from the sea, the plaque was probably used to decorate the wall of a sailor's home in an Atlantic coast seaport.

Origin: America, circa 1860s. Condition: excellent, light rusting on surface. Size: 14" tall.

Superb sterling silver tongs in the "Kings" pattern. These are of the finest workmanship, exhibiting crisp detail on a very heavy blank. Fully hallmarked for London, 1842, with the Victoria head duty mark. The maker's mark is "WE" in conjoined circles.

Origin: London, England, 1842. Condition: virtually mint, period monogram "JJ". Size: 6".

Rare pair of Staffordshire earthenware figurines of whippets. Each dog poses over a rabbit he has brought to the master of the hunt. The cushion bases are decorated with a simple gilt line.

Origin: England, circa 1850. Condition: excellent, a tiny bit of glaze roughness on the tip of one nose, blacklight examination indicates no repairs or repainting. Size: 3-7/8" tall.

Spectacular and rare sterling silver souvenir spoon by Tiffany & Co. The spoon commemorates Commodore George Dewey's 1898 victory at the Battle of Manila during the Spanish-American War. The handle is decorated with a bust of Dewey encircled by a laurel wreath. The wreath is tied with a ribbon which cascades down the stem of the spoon and bears the words "Manila May 1st 1898". The stem is further decorated with seaweed, four stars signifying Dewey's rank, and an anchor. The reverse of the handle is decorated with the laurel wreath and ribbon encircling the coat of arms of the state of Vermont and has Dewey's birth year. The stem is marked "Tiffany & Co. Sterling". All in all, this is one of the most spectacular souvenir spoons by Tiffany we've ever seen!

Origin: America, 1898. Condition: normal light wear, period 3-letter monogram on reverse of handle. Size: 5-7/8".

Lovely panel-cut footed crystal compote, the stem with a blown teardrop. The foot is shaped to conform to the panel cutting. The crystal is top quality, with excellent weight and color. The bottom has a polished pontil.

Origin: England or Ireland, circa 1830. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 5-5/8" tall, 7-7/8" diameter; bowl is approximately 2" deep.

Outstanding majolica pitcher in the form of an owl. Modeled by the George Morley Co., this pattern is an icon of American majolica production. The colors are very nice, including the medium-pink interior. Unsigned.

Origin: American, 1884-91. Condition: sharp details, no chips, a hairline running along the back of the pitcher from near the top of the handle to the base, note that the dark areas that look like chips on the base are actually the remnants of adhesive used to hold on old felt pads. Size: 9" tall.

Lovely sterling silver berry spoon in Towle's 1894 "Princess" pattern. The handle is heavily decorated with various floral motifs. The matte-gilt bowl is decorated with floral bright-cut engraving. The reverse is marked with Towle's old hallmark and the design patent date.

Origin: America, circa 1890. Condition: near mint, sharp detail, reverse is engraved "Osgood". Size: 7-5/8" long.

Sterling silver bonbon spoon in Baker-Manchester’s 1900 “Spartan” pattern. The wonderful design incorporates a knight’s helmet with exuberant feathers and foliage. The matte-finished bowl has both pierced and bright-cut decoration. The reverse is marked with Baker-Manchester’s hallmark and the patent date.

Origin: America, circa 1900. Condition: very good, very light wear, no monogram. Size: 5-1/2” long.

Fantastic mid-Victorian demi-parure composed of a brooch and matching earrings. The brooch is set with pyramid-cut onyx accented with seed pearls in a millegrained mounting. The earrings feature onyx circles surrounding briolette-cut onyx drops, all hanging from kite-shaped onyx and pearl surmounts. Originally intended as mourning jewelry, this set continues to be very versatile and wearable. Tested and guaranteed 14K gold.

Origin: English or American, circa 1860. Condition: earrings have replaced wires and are in virtually mint condition; the brooch has a replacement clasp and one stone has a hairline visible under a 10X loupe. Size: brooch, 2-1/2" x 3/8"; earrings, 1-3/16" long (to top of surmount). Weight: earrings, 4.5 grams; brooch, 7.25 grams.

Lovely pair of sterling silver sugar tongs with opaque turquoise and white enamel decoration. The quality of these tongs is apparent from the ornate and elegant piercing of the tips. Stamped on the inside “Sterling 1212” and hallmarked by the H. H. Curtis Co. (North Attleboro, MA, 1891-1915).

Origin: America, circa 1900. Condition: excellent, no missing enamel, no monogram, faint lemony gilding. Size: 3-1/4” long.

Terrific American majolica dish in the form of a fish. The painting on this example is especially nice, with very lifelike colors. The modeling is very crisp and clean. The back has a decorator's mark, but no maker's mark. It is possibly a product of Griffin, Smith & Hill. Perfect condition. Circa 1880. 7-1/2" x 10".

Stunning cut Bohemian glass powder jar with top-notch polychrome enameling. The lid is decorated with a wonderful scene of an 18th century gentleman surrounded by bowers of flowers. The sides of the jar are decorated with a wreath of flowers and acanthus leaves. The sides are cut in a St-Louis diamond pattern. The rims of both the jar and the lid are gilt. The bottom of the jar is cut with oval printies alternating with mitres. Unsigned, but definitely the work of Lobmeyr.

Origin: Bohemia, circa 1890. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, no missing enamel, only the most minimal wear to gilding (less than 5%). Size: 3-1/2" diam., 2-5/8" tall.

Extremely rare dessert plate featuring transfer decoration commemorating Napoleon’s great victory in the Battle of Friedland. The center decoration is printed in color and the rim is hand colored over a black transfer of crowned “N”s encircled by laurel wreaths and military decorations, alternating with escutcheons with the Emperor’s signature hat and sword. The back of the plate is stamped with the maker’s mark for Boch Freres of La Louviere, Belgium. The monarchy was in and out of favor frequently during the 19th century. Few Napoleon plates survived the period.

Origin: Belgium, late 19th century. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 8-1/8” diameter.

Lovely Art Nouveau sterling silver bar pin comprised of three maidens with flowing hair. Each of the faces is cast and is solid. Each is marked "Sterling", as is the c-clasp fastener.

Origin: America, circa 1890. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 1-11/16" x 9/16". Weight: 6.0 grams.

Extremely rare set of six transferware dessert plates depicting Napoleon’s great victories. The rims are printed with crowned “N”s encircled by laurel wreaths and military decorations, alternating with escutcheons with the Emperor’s signature hat and sword. The scenes are entitled “Mort De Desaix A Marengo”; “Le Ge’al Massena Devant Zurich 25 Decembre 1799”; “Bataille De Friedland 14 Juin 1807”; “Combat De Benhout 8 Mars 1799”; “Bonaparte A Arcole 17 Novembre 1796”; and “Napoleon Haranguant Les Troupes Bavaroises Et Wurtembergeoises”.

All the plates were made by Boch Freres of La Louviere, Belgium. Most are marked with the company’s stamp. The monarchy was in and out of favor frequently during the 19th century, and few of the Napoleon transferware items survived.

Origin: Belgium, circa 1850s. Condition: all are in excellent condition with no chips or cracks; one has light crazing to the glaze and minimal discoloration; all the transfer decoration is well-detailed and strongly-colored. Size: 8-1/8” diameter.

Sterling silver watch fob by George W. Shiebler. An outstanding example of the "Medallion" or "Curio Medallion" line, this watch fob is comprised of a horizontal log-like bar inscribed with the Greek letters "XAPIE" suspending five discs depicting Greek gods and goddesses. Pictured from left they are Zeus, unknown, Pallas Athena, unknown, and Mercury. The two unknown images are female and probably depict Aphrodite, Hera or Demeter. The surfaces are hand worked and intentionally "distressed" so that the piece appears to truly be an ancient jewel. The handmade chain is original to the fob. The back is stamped with Shiebler's hallmark, the retailer's mark for Bailey, Banks & Biddle, and the pattern number "1043". All Shiebler Medallion pieces are rare, but this is the first complete watch fob we've seen. It could be extended with a few links to be worn as a bracelet.

Origin: America, 1880-90. Condition: all original, light wear from normal use. Size: fob, 1-3/4" x 1-7/16"; overall length, 6-9/16". Weight: 18.5 grams.

Elegant Napoleon III 18K gold brooch in the Etruscan Revival taste. The pin is in bar form with pointed ends, interrupted in the middle by a round black onyx plaque centering a natural seed pearl. The domed setting around the onyx is set with six natural seed pearls. The pin on either side of the onyx plaque is decorated with an engraved Greek key design. The reverse is hallmarked with the "tete d'aigle" stamp for 18K gold and also with an unidentified jeweler's mark.

Origin: France, circa 1870. Condition: excellent; all original, including tube-hinged pinstem with trombone clasp. Size: 2-5/8" x 13/16" (widest). Weight: 6.5 grams.

Handsome Napoleon III-era 18K gold brooch in the form of an eagle with spread wings. Eagle motifs were very popular in French jewelry of the 1860's and 70's. This example features a hook from which a lady could hang her gold watch. The eagle's beak holds a small ring that originally would have been attached to a tiny safety chain for the watch. This piece is decorated in the repousse manner, meaning that the design was created by working the gold from the back side rather than engraving the front. The detail is outstanding. The back retains the original pinstem and c-clasp. The back is stamped with the French "tete d'aigle" 18K gold hallmark and with the jeweler's mark (BF).

Origin: France, circa 1870. Condition: excellent, crisp detail. Size: 2-1/4" x 9/16" (excluding watch hook). Weight: 2.5 grams.

Handsome gilt bronze figure of a reclining dog (some variety of hound) mounted as a paperweight on a butterscotch marble base. The statue retains its original gilt surface and has achieved a very pleasing patina. The marble base is richly colored with gray veining.

Origin: France, circa 1850. Condition: some flaking to bottom edges of marble base, no cracks, no damage to bronze figure. Size: 4-1/4" x 2-3/8" x 2-1/4" tall.

Superb early Gorham lady’s purse, the exterior decorated in the Aesthetic taste. The surface is matte-finished and accented with areas of matte-finished and glossy parcel gilding. Each side features a triangular area of engraving representing what appears to be a bough of olive branches with olives. The purse’s beveled edges are glossy and are decorated simply with rows of bright-cut engraving. The purse opens with a push on the thumbpiece to reveal an interior divided into three compartments and lined with the original teal blue silk shantung. The purse retains its original chain. The inside rim of the purse is marked with the earliest form of Gorham’s lion-anchor-G hallmark, along with the pattern number “210”, “Sterling” and the date letter for 1871.

Origin: America, 1871. Condition: excellent, a small ding in the engraved area on one side (visible in raking light), all original, the silk lining with almost no wear. Size: 3-1/2” wide, 2-1/2” high, 1-1/2” thick, 11” chain. Weight: 68.0 grams.

Very nice Art Nouveau 10K yellow gold stickpin in the form of a lady’s head. A 4-pt. old mine-cut diamond of very good quality is set at the end of her trailing hair. The surface of the gold has the “bloomed” texture characteristic of Art Nouveau jewelry.

Origin: probably American, circa 1900. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: head, 11/16” x 7/16”; overall length, 2-7/8”. Weight: 1.5 grams.

Very good Staffordshire pottery inkwell in the form of a country cottage beside a tree populated by a mother bird and her nest of young. A Dalmatian watches the birds from the ground. The cushion base is accented with a gilt line.

Origin: England, circa 1860. Condition: very good, normal glaze crazing; some ink discoloration to base, no chips or cracks. Size: 4-7/8" x 2-1/16" x 4-3/4" tall.

Very rare sterling silver oyster ladle in Whiting's classic 1880 "Bead" pattern. The simplicity of the handle decoration is relieved by the ruffled edge of the bowl. It's simplicity enables the pattern to work with a wide range of other American Colonial-inspired patterns. The oyster ladle form is quite rare, as only the most complete silver services ever had such serving pieces. Hallmarked with Whiting's early hallmark and "Pat Appd For" (indicating an early date).

Origin: America, 1880. Condition: excellent, no monogram, sharp detail, a pinpoint ding in the bowl. Size: 10-1/2" long. Weight: 120.0 grams.