Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art (485)

A good bronze footed trumpet base by bronze artisan Carl Sorensen. The surface is patinated in a mottled bluish-green shade and is enhanced with bands of parallel engraved lines in a bright copper finish. Most of Sorensen’s vases did not have a foot, and the addition of the small foot—also enhanced with a bright copper edging—adds special appeal. Sorensen is known to have worked in Philadelphia in the first part of the 20th century, making bronze wares in the Arts & Crafts tradition. It is thought that his creations were retailed by both Roycroft and Tiffany. The base is signed “Carl Sorensen” and has his hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1910. Condition: excellent, original patina. Size: 6-3/4” tall; 6-1/2” diameter at rim.

An set of twelve English sterling silver coffee spoons and a matching sugar tong in an elegant rococo pattern by silversmith Joseph Rodgers. The handles are lightly monogramed with an “H.” The bowls are a bit larger than typical demitasse spoons, so they could easily be used for tea service, as well. The set is presented in its original fitted case lined with royal blue velvet and silk. The interior of the lid is embossed with the retailer’s stamp for William Batty & Sons, one of England’s finest watchmakers and jewelers outside of London at the time.

• Origin: Sheffield, England, 1910
• Condition: excellent; interior of case is excellent; case exterior is mostly good, but with bookbinding tape at the hinge side
• Dimensions: spoons, 4-5/16” long; tong 4-1/2” long
• Weight: 206.4 grams.

A rare and elegant boxed set of six sterling silver citrus spoons in Paye & Baker's "Orange" pattern. The handles are decorated front and back with oranges, orange blossoms and foliage. Paye & Baker primarily made souvenir spoons, and this particular pattern was usually associated with Los Angeles, considered a very exotic location at the beginning of the 20th century. These spoons are the only set we've seen made as citrus spoons. The sharply-pointed deep bowls retain their original matte gilding. Each spoon is fully hallmarked.

• Origin: America, ca. 1900.
• Dimensions: spoons, 5 1/2" long.
• Weight: 158.4 grams.
• Condition: excellent; gilding intact; box has considerable age-appropriate wear and discoloration.

A lovely footed sterling silver salver in the George III style. The salver is perfect for use as a wine coaster, as the size will accomodate a magnum or a champagne bottle. The scalloped stepped border is elegantly decorated with acanthus leaves and gadrooning. The shell-shaped feet are flanked by acanthus leaf returns. Marcus & Co. was one of the most exclusive jewelers in America and was one of the few companies to give Tiffany any serious competition. They did not make their own silver, but retailed high-end makers such as Gorham, Frank Smith, Whiting, etc. The bottom is marked with Marcus’ retail mark, “Sterling” and the pattern number 1928.

Origin: America, 1918-27. Condition: excellent, normal wear and some staining on surface (could be buffed), sharp details, no dings or monograms. Size: 7-7/8” diameter; 1-1/16” high. Weight: 296.0 grams.

Terrific enameled sherry bottle/decanter label. The enamel is applied over metal and has polychrome floral decoration. The chain is brass.

Origin: probably English, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent. Size: 2.5" x 1/5".

An elegant second standard (800/1000 pure silver) French tastevin. Rather than the typical “perles” and fluted “godrons”, the bowl is decorated with repousse grape leaves and berries in the 18th century style. This treatment is sometimes seen in tastevins made by Parrod, one of the most influential makers of tastevins in the 19th and 20th centuries. The single snake handle, thought to represent the snake from the Garden of Eden, thus reminding drinkers of temptation, has an unusually well-detailed head. The tastevin is fully hallmarked and has an illegible maker’s mark, possibly Parrod’s.

• Origin: France, ca. 1925
• Condition: excellent, sharp detail
• Dimensions: 3-5/16” x 4-1/4” x 15/16”
• Weight: 58.8 grams

A wonderful sterling silver soup ladle in Reed & Barton’s famous 1907 “Francis I” pattern. This is one of the most desirable late Victorian American flatware designs. This ladle is from the original series and is hallmarked with Reed & Barton’s old hallmark and the design patent date.

Origin: America, ca. 1910. Condition: excellent, very sharp details, light surface scratches in bowl from normal use, no monogram, no dings. Size: 12-1/4” long. Weight: 243.0 grams.

Outstanding early South Jersey glass paperweight enclosing a frit design of an eagle with an American flag and the words "The American Fire Philadelphia A.D. 1810." I'm not sure if this refers to a fire department or a fire insurance company. The detailing, especially the feathery delicacy of the eagle's wings, is very nice. The glass is very good quality and the design achieves very nice magnification because of its placement low in the crown. The bottom is flat with a polished pontil mark.

Origin: Southern New Jersey (Millville area), possibly Whitall Tatum Co., ca. 1900. Condition: the crown has one relatively small moon and the typical surface wear found on weights of this age (interestingly, most of this wear is around the periphery of the weight and not directly over the design); the bottom has the usual wear and somebody's etched initials (J.M.B.). Size: 3-1/4" diam.

A very fine and rare antique glass paperweight by Pairpoint. There sphere encloses a translucent red and opaque white double twist within a cloud of controlled bubbles. The foot is engraved in a design known as "Pattern No. 220". Pairpoint called this design "Veneti" and used it to produce candlesticks, compotes, vases and stemware. Veneti paperweights are quite uncommon.

Origin: America, ca. 1915. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Dimensions: 3-3/4" tall.

Porcelain beaker decorated in transfer and polychrome enamels with scenes from St. Louis, Missouri. The scenes include Eads Bridge, Municipal Courts Building, and Union Station. These glasses were made in Bohemia and Germany from the 1890's until World War I. We are also offering similar glasses featuring Boston, Cincinnati, and Mackinac Island. The bottom is marked "Made In Germany".

Origin: Germany, 1891-1918. Condition: near mint, with very slight wear to the gilded edges. Size: 3-3/4" tall.

A figural corkscrew in the form of an equestrian boot by the R Blackinton Co. of N Attleboro, MA. The boot is nicely detailed to appear like textured leather. The corkscrew/opener is silverplated steel for strength. The boot is fully hallmarked on the bottom.

Origin: America, ca. 1915. Condition: good, three small creases to the sides of the boot (not particularly noticeable since the boot is designed to have a well-worn appearance with lots of creases), and some typical plating loss to the opener. Dimensions: 3-3/4” tall.

Fantastic pottery double-handled urn decorated in an underglaze blue floral transfer and clobbered with overglaze iron red, yellow and purple pigments. The effect is much like chintz china, but with stronger coloring. The bottom bears the mark used by Cauldon Potteries from 1905 to 1920. The form and size of this vase, combined with its rich coloring, makes for a truly stunning piece of Staffordshire pottery.

Origin: Staffordshire, England, circa 1913. Condition: mint. Size: 13-1/4” tall.

Elegant crystal trivet with a sterling silver overlay in an orchid pattern. The piercing of the silver is highlighted with engraved details. The center has a silver reserve that was never monogrammed. The side is hallmarked by Webster Silver Co. This trivet is in the harder to find large size.

Origin: America, ca. 1920. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 8” diameter.

Six sterling silver cocktail forks in Gorham's lovely 1899 "Cambridge" pattern. The handles are beautifully decorated with flowers, scrolls, and gadrooning. The backs are marked with Gorham's old hallmark, the patent date, and the retailer's mark "W.F. Van Arsdel".

Origin: America, circa 1900. Condition: excellent, crisp details, no monograms. Size: 5-7/16" long.

A gorgeous sterling silver cream ladle rare on two counts. First, Fessenden’s 1910 “Tulip” pattern is very uncommon. Secondly, while spoons were often engraved as souvenir pieces, serving pieces were hardly ever given this treatment. This is the only souvenir cream ladle we’ve seen. The matte gilt bowl is engraved with a very detailed representation of the U.S. Capitol Building underscored by “Washington DC”. The back is hallmarked by Fessenden & Co.

Origin: America, ca. 1910. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram, original gilding. Size: 4-5/8” long. Weight: 16.0 grams.

Lovely sterling silver cream or sauce ladle in Towle's 1900 "Dubarry" pattern. The handle, decorated with a simple spray of roses at the tip, nicely complements the triangular gilt bowl. The reverse is marked with Towle's old mark and "925/1000".

Origin: America, circa 1900. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 4-15/16" long.

Sterling silver cream or sauce ladle in the elegant 1910 "Newport Shell" (aka "Puritan") pattern by the Frank Smith Silver Co. The pattern relies on a beautifully executed shell and beading for its design impact. The reverse is marked with Smith's older hallmark and the retailer's name "D. Low & Co." (Salem, MA). The Frank Smith Silver Co. was chosen by the State Department to provide sterling silver flatware for every U.S. Embassy.

Origin: America, circa 1910. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 4-3/4" long.

Boxed set of six sterling silver fruit knives, with handles decorated in a detailed Art Nouveau floral pattern. The handles are marked "Sterling". The box is upholstered in dark green moire silk.

Origin: American, circa 1900. Condition: extremely minor wear to handles, plated blades are excellent. Size: 7-1/4" long.