Catalog (2428)

Lovely Victorian bonbon spoon by Gorham in the 1894 “Imperial Chrysanthemum” pattern. The ornate handle is decorated with chrysanthemum blossoms, while the gilt bowl is pierced with a pattern suggesting chrysanthemum foliage. The back of the handle is as ornate at the front. The back is marked with old Gorham hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, all original including gilding, no monogram. Size: 4-3/4” long. Weight: 20.5 grams.

Wonderful French 18K gold stickpin in the form of a dragon. The detail is incredible. Raised up on his hind legs, with his wings unfurled, the dragon is exhaling tongues of flame. His tail is curled around several times before circling completely around the body to form the circular outline of the stickpin's head. The texture of the feathery wings and scaly body is superb. The back is marked with French hallmarks for 18K gold and an unidentified maker's mark.

Origin: France, ca. 1860. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: head, 9/16" diameter; overall length, 3-1/16". Weight: 3.5 grams.

Lovely set of 12 sterling silver cocktail or seafood forks by Davis & Galt. The handles are heavily decorated with an unusual repousse paisley pattern. The workmanship is very nice. The backs are hallmarked by the maker and have the retailer’s mark for Bailey, Banks & Biddle.

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monograms. Size: 5-15/16” long. Weight: 179.5 grams.

Superb sterling silver powder box covered with beautiful floral repousse decoration. The design features a dense covering of daisies, chrysanthemums and roses surrounding a pair of rococo reserves framed with assymetrical scrolls. Neither of the reserves has ever been monogrammed. The decoration is really excellent and is of a quality that would rival the best of the repousse decorators. The interior retains the original gilding. The bottom is marked with Gorham’s late 19th century mark and has the date code for 1894. It is also marked with the pattern number “735”.

Origin: America, 1894. Condition: excellent, the concealed inside lip of the lid has some bends that are not at all visible when the lid is in place. Size: 4” diameter; 3-1/8” high. Weight: 145.5 grams.

An elegant late Victorian jewelry box in the Louis XVI style. The sides and lid are decorated with delicate raised birds and floral sprays against a stippled background. Engraved volutes at the corners accent the main decoration. The edges are decorated in a typical French bound reed design. The whole is raised on turned feet. The brass plating is beautifully patinated to a lustrous sheen.

Ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, virtually no wear, the interior fabric has been replcaed with felt and could easily be replaced with something nicer. Size: 5-1/2" x 3-1/2" x 3-1/2".

A pretty Victorian mercury glass vase in rare peacock blue. The surface is frosted and enhanced with painted decoration of fuchsias an autumnal colors. Some areas of the background are left unfrosted for a nice contrast. Blue is a very unusual color for mercury glass pieces.

Origin: America, ca. 1850. Condition: very good, no chips or cracks, lead plug is missing and some oxidation in the foot and light oxidized pinpoints the main part of the body. Size: 8” tall.

Pretty Victorian sterling silver pin decorated with a floral appliqué. The floral design has realistic engraved details. These pins were very popular in the late Victorian period and were made in many different variations, often with a name worked into the design. The back is fully hallmarked for Birmingham, 1890-91, and has the maker’s mark “G.A.R.”.

Origin: England, 1890-91. Condition: excellent, all original, nice patina. Size: 1-11/16” x 3/4". Weight: 3.0 grams.

Heavy sterling silver serving spoon in Gorham’s wonderful 1888 “Versailles” pattern. This was a multi-motif pattern, meaning that each type of flatware in a service had a different handle design. This serving spoon shows a farmer in Classical dress carrying sheaves of wheat—quite a curious motif compared to the ornate scrolls and shell motifs that make us the rest of the design. The back of the handle is marked with Gorham’s older hallmark and also the mark for extra heavy weight—not often encountered, even in this high-end pattern.

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: very good, no monograms, no dings or deep scratches, sharp detail, the bowl shows normal use but could easily be buffed. Size: 8-1/2” long. Weight: 80.25 grams.

Outstanding brass match holder the pocket formed in the shape of a shield and punch-decorated in a stars and stripes pattern. The pocket is surmounted by a punch-decorated American eagle underneath the motto “In God We Trust”. This motto was adopted in 1863 as a subtle government reminder during the Civil War that God was on the side of the Union troops fighting to end the evil of slavery. The backplate has a punchwork border and also a hole for hanging.

Origin: America, ca. 1860s. Condition: excellent, all original, nice patina. Size: 3-15/16” x 2-1/2” x 5/8” deep.

Handsome Victorian 10K yellow gold ring in the form of two lion’s claws grasping a large old European cut garnet. The detail in the setting is excellent and the gold has a slightly rosy tint that contrasts nicely with the red stone. The garnet has a lively red color and excellent clarity. The inside of the shank has a pair of monograms. Tested and guaranteed 10K gold.

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: very good, sharp detail, slight wear to two prongs, but the stone is secure. Ring Size: 9-3/4. Approximate Gemstone Weight: 1.22 carats.

A very fine Edo period Japanese mixed-metal brooch depicting a crane standing underneath flowering cherry trees alongside a rushing stream. The gold and silver details glisten against the coppery background. The back retains the original extended pinstem and c-clasp.

This type of work, sometimes mistakenly called “shakudo”, derives from the decorations used for samurai armor. After the demise of the samurai system in the 19th century, artisans who made mixed-metal decorations for armor turned to jewelry-making. These pieces became very popular in Europe and America when Japan was opened to trade.

Origin: Japan, ca. 1865. Size: 1” x 1-1/8”.

A handsome Chinese export porcelain shallow bowl decorated in blue and orange enamels with gilt highlights. This pattern, distinguished by gilt stars against a dark blue background, was made for the American market was not very common. The blue border is pierced by reserves, some of which are decorated with gilt floral sprigs that echo the floral decoration in the bowl’s center. The wide border is flanked with orange and gilt lines and the rim is finished with a Greek key border. The outer rim is decorated with a narrow blue band covered with gilt stars. The overall shape is typically 18th century.

Origin: China, ca. 1780. Condition: good, a very tight hairline visible from the back, a couple of rubs to the enamel from being in a plate stand. Size: 9-1/2” diameter; 1-9/16” high.

A lovely Chinese export porcelain plate, the center decorated with a court scene depicting nobles welcoming a visitor bearing a staff and basket of fruit. The scene is very nicely enameled in the famille rose palette. The border is decorated in a trellis pattern in green enamels—a most unusual treatment for a Mandarin plate. The inner and outer borders are highlighted with gilding.

Origin: China, ca. 1850. Condition: excellent, two exceedingly tight hairlines (perhaps limited to only the glaze) visible only on the back. Size: 10” diameter; 1-3/16” deep.

A fine Victorian 14K gold stick pin in the form of a sword. The ornate hilt is bead-set with seed pearls and old European cut emeralds. The emeralds are of very fine quality, with excellent color. The back has a small bale that can be attached to a safety pin and chain, if desired. Tested and guaranteed 14K gold.

Ca. 1890. Condition: excellent. Size: hilt, 7/8” x 3/4"; overall length, 2-5/8”. Weight: 2.5 grams. Approximate Total Emerald Weight: .2 carat.

A very nice sterling silver sardine fork by the Campbell-Metcalf Silver Company. Originally intended to serve sardines—a Victorian luxury food—the fork could now be used for various hors d’oeuvres, cheeses, etc. The design is clearly based on Scandinavian motifs that later showed up in the work of Georg Jensen and other European makers. In some ways it is similar to Jensen’s 1913 “Rose” pattern. Campbell-Metcalf was in business for only six years during the last decade of the 19th century. The back is hallmarked.

Origin: America, 1892-98. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monograms. Size: 5-7/8” long. Weight: 22.5 grams.

An elegant set of 12 sterling silver oyster forks in Dominick & Haff’s desirable 1880 “Kings” pattern. The handles are decorated in the Georgian style with scroll, acanthus and shell motifs. The backs are decorated to match the fronts. The tines are heavier than most cocktail/seafood forks. The backs are stamped with Dominick & Haff’s hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monograms. Size: 5-5/16” long. Weight: 231.0 grams.

A wonderful set of 10 sterling silver egg spoons in Tiffany’s rare 1872 “Vine” pattern in the “Wild Rose” variant. “Vine” was made in several variations, all of which depicted flowers and fruit that grown on vines. The elongated rounded bowls nicely complement the wavy handles decorated with sinuous wild rose vines. The backs are fully marked with Tiffany marks used 1875-91.

Origin: America, ca. 1880. Condition: excellent, very sharp detail, no monograms. Size: 4-1/16” long. Weight: 107.5 grams.

Fabulous 19th century sterling silver christening cup by Whiting Manufacturing Company--one of the America's most sophisticated silver companies. The entire surface is covered with repousse decoration of roses, lilies, and philodendron leaves. A reserve, just opposite the handle, is engraved "Lily". Cups such as these were used as presentation gifts for babies when they were christened. Most often, they were given by the godparents. Obviously, this particular cup was chosen because of the link between the child's name and the design that incorporates lily blossoms! The bottom is stamped with Whiting's hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no dings, period engraved "Lily". Size: 2-7/8" tall. Weight: 90.0 grams.

19th century aneroid desk barometer in a stunning ivory case raised on a turned pedestal and surmounted with a carved ivory bust depicting a young farm maiden. The carving is superbly done, with great attention to the girl's hair and 18th century-style lace-trimmed bonnet. Her face is charming. The ivory has a beautiful yellowed patina that has not been cleaned. The enameled dial is in French, but there is no maker's mark visible. This is the finest desk barometer we've ever seen.

Origin: France, ca. 1830. Condition: excellent, expected splitting to ivory on the back, original patina. Size: 7-1/4" tall; 3-1/2" dial diameter.

A lovely set of six sterling silver strawberry forks in Lunt’s 1893 “Navarre” pattern. This pattern was actually developed by A. F. Towle & Sons, which eventually was purchased by Lunt Silversmiths. The handles are beautifully decorated in an asymmetric pattern of volutes, acanthus leaves and flowers. The slightly splayed double tines retain their original matte gilding. The backs are marked with the A.F. Towle hallmark and the retailer’s mark “G. Frank”.

Origin: America, ca. 1895. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, original gilding, no monograms. Size: 4-25/32” long. Weight: 52.0 grams.

A handsome Imperial Russian medium-size hammered brass oval tray with cast brass handles. A tray of this size would probably have been used to serve vodka, and could still be used as a cordial tray or even on a buffet table. One end is stamped with the maker’s name and the Imperial Romanov double eagle warrant. The handles are attached with copper rivets and are cast in a ropetwist design.

Origin: Russia, last quarter 19th century. Condition: excellent, no dings, untouched patina, wear to the Imperial warrant. Size: 14-1/4” x 7-3/8” x 1/2”.

Rare hammered brass three-handled loving cup or wedding cup from Russia's Imperial era. The tapering form is nicely accented with forged strap handles attached to the sides with copper rivets. The bottom is stamped with the Imperial Romanov double eagle and the maker's name.

Origin: Russia, ca. 1880. Condition: excellent, no polishing. Size: 4" tall.

An amusing late Victorian brooch fashioned as two crossed golf clubs. The shafts are worked in 18K yellow gold, while the heads are made in platinum. A small pearl, representing a golf ball rests against each club. Sporting jewelry is quite desirable, and golf-related pieces are particularly rare. The back retains the original pinstem and c-clasp. Stamped with French hallmarks.

Origin: France, ca. 1895. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 1-3/4” x 3/8”. Weight: 2.0 grams.

A fine pair of Victorian 18K yellow gold tassel earrings. The foxtail chains are suspended from bell-shaped surmounts with bands of engraved decoration and applied flowers worked in rose and green gold. Each foxtail chain ends in a small gold sphere. The earrings have an elegant look, without being too heavy for comfortable wear. The surmounts are marked with French “tete d’aigle” hallmarks for 18K gold.

Origin: France, ca. 1860. Condition: excellent, wires are replacements. Size: 1-3/8” long. Weight: 5.5 grams.

A very nice Victorian silver brooch set with agates. The brooch is shaped as a modified Jerusalem cross. The stones, including banded agate and bloodstone, have good color contrast and are surrounded with delicate engraved decoration. Silver and gold jewelry set with Scottish agate became very popular when Queen Victoria started the fashion for all things Scottish. The back retains the original c-clasp and extended pinstem.

The Jerusalem cross, first appearing during the crusades, is made up of five interlocking crosses that represent the five European nations active in the crusades—Britain, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. The crosses also reference the five principalities of the kingdom of Jerusalem and the five wounds inflicted during the crucifixion.

Origin: Scotland or England, ca. 1860. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 1-17/32” x 1-5/16”. Weight: 5.25 grams.

A lovely set of twelve sterling silver demitasse spoons by Whiting. This pattern, probably referred to as “39”, was most likely only made as demitasse spoons. Whiting produced a number of patterns in the 1880s and 90s that were limited in this way. The handles, beautifully decorated with a pierced pattern of lilies of the valley, blend into corkscrew twist stems that connect to bowls enhanced with repousse decoration of chrysanthemums. Exactly what chrysanthemums and lilies of the valley have to do with each other is not clear, but the design certainly works from an aesthetic point of view! The bowls are highly polished, but the flowers on the handle have a matte surface that really highlights the floral details and adds to the realistic appearance. The backs are marked with Whiting’s earlier hallmark, the pattern number 39, and “Sterling”. The spoons are presented in their original fitted box covered in lilac velvet and silk.

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, no monograms. Size: 4-1/16” long. Weight: 115.0 grams.

A stunning pair of late Victorian earrings in 18K yellow gold with diamonds, coral and onyx. The coral bead surmounts are punctuated with small collet-set diamonds and suspend gold buttercup settings, the tips accented with black enamel and holding oval cushion-cut diamonds, further suspending an enameled gold belt pave-set with rose-cut diamonds and flanked by a trio of red coral teardrops topped with small onyx beads. Everything about these earrings is of the very best quality. The diamonds are bright and well-cut, the gold settings are inventive, and the coral has the wonderful reddish hue of coral from the Italian coast near Naples. The earrings have threaded posts. Tested and guaranteed 18K gold.

Origin: France, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent. Size: 2-1/4” long. Approximate Total Diamond Weight: .54 carat. Weight: 11.0 grams.

A lovely sterling silver powder box by Gorham. The entire body and matching lid are covered in repousse decoration of swirling acanthus leaves. The sides flare out in an elegant curve that is continued in the lid which rises to point in the middle. The bottom is hallmarked with Gorham’s old mark, the pattern number “670” and the date mark for 1890.

Origin: America, 1890. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no dings, original interior gilding, no monogram. Size: 3-5/8” diameter; 3” tall. Weight: 96.5 grams.

A wonderful cut opaline glass egg-shaped perfume caddy by Baccarat. The hinged lid opens to reveal an area that would have been used to store a plain stoppered bottle of perfume. The milky white translucent glass contrasts beautifully with the rich gild bronze acanthus leaf mountings. The crystal is cut simply with vertical parallel ribs. The glass has the fiery shots or orangey-red typical of opaline glass made by Baccarat. The bottom retains a fragment of an original paper label and a partial acid-etched signature “France”.

Origin: France, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, all original, gilding intact. Size: 4-1/4” tall.

A rare Victorian 14K yellow gold stick pin featuring a reverse-carved Essex crystal depicting a Chihuahua. Various dog breeds were depicted in Essex crystals, but this is the only piece we’ve seen with a dog that looks like a Chihuahua. The round setting, with its simple but finely crafted rope-twist border highlights the carved crystal. The colors are strong. The background appears to be silvered instead of the more usual mother-of-pearl. Tested and guaranteed 14K gold.

Origin: America, ca. 1885. Condition: some oxidation to painted details. Size: head, 13/16” diameter; overall length, 2-3/4”. Weight: 6.75 grams.

An exceptionally nice English porcelain cup and saucer decorated with pink luster. The body is molded in a net pattern with reserves that are highlighted in overglaze blue, green, yellow and iron red enamels. The center of the saucer is decorated with a strawberry motif that is repeated in the bottom of the cup. The cup is raised on a slight foot. The saucer has very deep and steeply sloped sides so the hot tea could be drunk directly from the saucer, as was the custom.

Origin: England, ca. 1840. Condition: excellent, a 1/8” flake on the very bottom edge of the cup’s foot. Size: saucer; 5-7/8” diameter; cup, 2-3/8” tall.

A gorgeous pair of Victorian sterling silver serving spoons, the handles and bowls amazingly decorated with repousse, chased and engraved designs. The handles are decorated with reserves of winged cherubs hanging garlands of flowers, the reserves surrounded by rococo shell motifs. The stems are decorated with floral garlands leading to the amazing decorative bowls, covered in repousse floral designs. The backs of the handles are as attractive as the fronts and are engraved with a very handsome three-letter monogram. The spoons are fully hallmarked for London, 1894, and bear a script maker’s mark “AB” or “AR”. These spoons are extremely heavy, and are of the absolutely finest quality being produced at the end of the 19th century.

Origin: England, 1894. Condition: excellent, very sharp detail. Size: 8-7/16” long. Weight: 164.0 grams.

A gorgeous Napoleon III white opaline glass baluster-form vase with an everted apple green opaline rim and an applied molded green opaline foot with knopped and ribbed decoration. The overall design is very pleasing and the color contrast is stunning. The quality is comparable to Baccarat, although the vase was probably made at a competing cristallerie.

Origin: France, ca. 1860. Condition: excellent, all original, no cracks or chips. Size: 10-1/2” tall.

A very handsome sterling silver gravy ladle in John R. Wendt’s “Medallion” pattern. Wendt’s version was one of the earliest designs to use classical profiles as the primary decorative element. The medallion, depicting the goddess Pallas Athena, is supported by a reeded stem that leads to the oval bowl with flared edges. The back is stamped with the retailer’s mark for D. H. Buell & Co., and with the “925” that is often found on early Wendt pieces.

Origin: America, ca. 1865. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram, no dings. Size: 7-3/8” long. Weight: 76.5 grams.

A pretty Victorian sterling silver berry or preserves spoon in Towle’s 1887 “Clover” pattern. Both the handle and bowl are decorated with bright-cut engraving of clover flowers and foliage. The bowl has a scalloped upper border, repoussed lobes, and matte gilding. The back is marked with Towle’s hallmark and the patent date.

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, original gilding, no monogram, no dings. Size: 7-1/8” long. Weight: 48.5 grams.

A beautiful powder jar of colorless crystal cased in rose crystal, cameo cut and then etched. The delicate pattern of wild roses stands out in rose against the frosty etched background. The design is beautifully worked. The bottom has a large concaved polished pontil. Several examples of this coloring and technique, although in different floral patterns, appears in Curtis’ exhaustive book, “Baccarat”.

Origin: France, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 3-5/16” diameter; 2-1/4” tall.