A very nice gilt brass box presented to British soldiers and sailors fighting in World War I. Princess Mary raised funds to provide these tins filled with various combinations of chocolate, notepaper, a bullet-shaped pencil, cigarettes, spices (for Indian troops), etc. Every person serving in the British forces on Christmas Day 1914 eventually received a box, although they were still filling orders in 1916 and those who were prisoners did not receive their boxes until after the end of the war in 1918. The lid is embossed with an image of Princess Mary (daughter of King George V and Queen Mary), the names of the Allied nations and various other images such as laurel wreaths, swords and flags.

Origin: England, 1914. Condition: extremely good, original gilding nearly completely intact. Size: 5-1/8” x 3-3/8” x 1-1/4”.

A rare Imperial Russian cross for the Order of Saint Stanislaus, 3rd Class. As the war progressed, there was a shortage of precious metal, so military decorations were often worked in bronze, in this case gilt white bronze. The cross's four arms are decorated in deep red translucent enamel over an engraved background, while the central enameled reserve bears the letters "SS" for St. Stanislaus. The cross appears with crossed swords, indicating it was awarded for military distinction rather for civil service. The cross has the "European" style suspension eyelet at the top. The Order of St. Stanislaus was originally the second-highest ranking Polish order, but was incorporated into the Russian system in the mid-19th century.

Origin: Russia, ca. 1917. Condition: good; traces of original gilding remain; some nicks to translucent enamel, mostly at the points of the arms, and a hairline to the opaque enamel on one side. Size: 1-9/16" diameter.

A rare enameled beaker made as a souvenir of the 1896 coronation of Imperial Russia’s last monarchs, Czar Nicholas II and Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna. One side of the beaker features the Imperial doubled-headed eagle and the reverse shows the imperial cipher. The remainder of the body is decorated with traditional Russian strapwork. The beakers were to be given away to the public on the Khodinka field in Moscow. When the gates were opened, there was a great rush to get to the cups and hundreds of people were trampled to death. Shortly after, this cup became known as the “Blood Cup” or “Cup of Sorrows”. The incident was thought at the time to be a bad omen for the future of the reign—an estimation that ultimately proved correct. These beakers are often in very bad condition, but this one is nearly mint, with just the tiniest bit of wear the gilding on the lip.

Origin: Russia, 1896. Size: 4-1/8” tall.

A rare enameled beaker made as a souvenir of the 1896 coronation of Imperial Russia’s last monarchs, Czar Nicholas II and Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna. One side of the beaker features the Imperial double-headed eagle and the reverse shows the monarchs’ initials. The remainder of the body is decorated with traditional Russian strapwork. The beakers were to be given away to the public on the Khodinka field in Moscow. When the gates were opened, there was great rush to get to the cups and hundreds of people were crushed to death. Shortly after, the cups became known as “Blood Cups” or “Cups of Sorrow”. The incident was thought at the time to be a bad omen for the future of the reign—an estimation that ultimately proved right. These beakers are often in very bad condition, but this one is remarkably good, with just a few enamel chips to the rim and largely intact gilding.

Origin: Russia, 1896. Size: 4-1/8” tall.

A wonderful and extremely rare enameled glass beaker bearing the portrait of Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna on the occasion of her visit to Paris in 1896. Alexandra accompanied her husband, Czar Nicholas II to dedicate the Pont Alexandre III across the Seine. Alexandra is wearing the traditional kokoshnik, a veil, long strands of pearls and a white gown. The portrait is surrounded by gilt lettering, "Souvenir Octobre 1896/Impératrice Alexandra Féodorovna". A matching glass with the Czar's portrait was also produced. The glass is nice quality and was probably produced by Legras under the name St-Denis. The use of thick enamels and speckled gilding is typical of the Art Nouveau works produced by this reknowned glasshouse. We've had quite a number of Nicholas/Alexandra pieces over the years, but this is the first example of this particular item we've seen.

Origin: France, 1896. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, no enamel damage. Size: 3-5/8" tall.

A delightful and very rare cobal glass figural bottle in the shape of a Belsnickle. The bottle was cast in a three-part mold and is very nicely detailed to show the texture of Santa's long fur coat and flowing beard. The front center of his robe is decorated with a chromolithographed winter scene bordered with holly leaves. The glass has a very rich color.

Origin: America, ca. 1920. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, original paper label. Size: 12" tall.

Very uncommon pair of transfer-printed pottery plates depicting King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Their royal majesties are surrounded by an ornate border of roses. The edges of the plates are scalloped and molded. The plates are glazed in a brilliant gold color that contrasts beautifully with the grays and blacks of the transfer print. The backs are marked "J.W. Reid & Co., London, Ontario, England" and "His Majesty King Edward VII" and "Her Majesty Queen Alexandra".

Origin: England, ca. 1905. Condition: excellent, except for a 1/4" flake on the bottom of the rim of the Edward plate. Size: 10" diameter.

Terrific composition head from a hand puppet or marionette depicting a young lady. . European, probably German, circa 1900. Condition: very, very slight rubs to paint. Size: 3-3/8" tall.

Terrific composition head from a hand puppet or marionette. The soldier's head may represent Bismarck.

European, probably German, circa 1900. Condition: excellent. Size: 3-3/8" tall.

A simply wonderful piece of English royalty memorabilia. A sterling silver replica of the English throne and the anointing spoon rest atop a replica of the velvet pillow upon which the crown is carried in procession at the coronation of English monarchs at Westminster Abbey. Both the throne and anointing spoon bear full hallmarks for the coronation year 1910 in the City of Birmingham. The maker's mark is "L&S." Both sterling pieces also bear a registry number. 2" tall; 2.5" square.

Fabulous clockwork witch toy. Unmarked, but most assuredly made in Germany, ca. 1900. She retains all of her original parts and fabric clothing, except the cape which we believe to be an older replacement (based on the differences in stitching and fabric texture). The old gal has composition hands and head, and lead feet. When wound up, she totters from side to side. Excellent working condition. 7.5" tall. This extraordinarily rare Halloween toy belongs in a top-drawer collection!

Outstanding Halloween pressed paper noisemaker horn in the form of a carrot. Marked "Germany". Origin: Germany, ca. 1925. Size: 8" tall. Condition: excellent, working condition, all original.