Catalog (2449)

A French Art Deco cocktail pick set in the unusual form of a large snail accompanied by a pair of baby snails. The snail is usually alone or perhaps with just one smaller one. They are worked in chrome and are set on a mahogany base. The design is by the famed French Art Deco illustrator Benjamin Rabier, who had a side jpb designing entertaining barware. The twelve picks have unusual green bakelite finials. Sets such as this were used on bar and café counters to serve cocktail garnishes, canapés, or even escargot.

• Origin: France, ca. 1930
• Condition: excellent; very light wear to wooden edges; all original
• Dimensions: 7” x 3-1/8” x 4-1/4”.

This wonderfully inventive Art Deco silverplate jigger measures 3/4, 1, 1-1/2 and 2 ounces. The cube joining the various cups shows measurements on one side and is stamped with the hallmark for Benedict Manufacturing Company (1894-1953) on the other. The cube is perfectly weighted so the jigger does not tip over when the upper cup is filled. This implement was created by the noted modernist designer Albert F. Saunders as a part of Benedict's "Modernistic" line. It was made in extremely small quantities and originals are very difficult to find.

• Origin: America, ca. 1930
• Condition: very good; one pinpoint ding; minimal plating wear
• Dimensions: 4-13/16” x 3-5/8”

Very fine, heavy, fully three-dimensional 18K yellow gold figural brooch in the form of a 420 Class racing sailboat by Fred of Paris. It can also be worn as a pendant. The mast is fully Bermuda-rigged with beautifully detailed sails worked in contrasting matte and polished gold. Two figures are hiking out over the edge of the hull and waves lap at the sides. The 420 Class was designed in 1959 and became the leading training vessel for Olympic-class boats. Fred designed a series of brooches depicting popular European racing sailboats such as the "420" and the "Flying Dutchman". The bottom of the hull is stamped with French "tete d'aigle" hallmarks for 18K and with an obscured maker's mark. The back retains the original pinstem and trombone clasp.

• France, ca 1965
• Excellent condition, sharp detail, all original
• 1-1/4" x 1-7/8"
• 11.7 grams.

A pretty vintage 14K yellow gold pin by Krementz featuring a spray of beautifully enameled bleeding hearts, each dangling a small seed pearl. The enameling on the blossoms has a matte effect that mimics the waxing texture of the flower in nature, while the leaves are in Krementz's more typical shaded translucent style. In Victorian flower language, bleeding hearts were used to represent "deepest love." Pins such as this with a delicate enameled flower against a geometric back represent are typical of Krementz's move Art Nouveau into Art Deco and finally Retro. The original clasp is stamped with Krementz' hallmark. Tested and guaranteed 14K.

• Origin: America, ca. 1930
• Condition: excellent; no enamel damage
• Dimensions: 1-3/16" diameter
• Weight: 7.0 grams

A fine Retro brooch worked in 14K yellow gold and set with diamonds and blue sapphires. The brooch is shaped as a stylized bow when worn vertically or a comet when worn sideways. The gold surfaces are pierced to lighten the overall effect. The center is set with a cluster of round brilliant and single-cut diamonds (J/SI1) surrounded by blue sapphires of slightly violetish-blue color and excellent clarity. The back is marked 14K and also has a mark for an unidentified maker.

• Origin: America, ca. 1940
• Condition: excellent, all original
• Dimensions: 2-5/16" x 1-7/8"
• Weight: 18.8 grams
• Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: diamond, .6 carat; sapphire, 2.0 carats

A classic sterling silver handled jigger by Tiffany & Co. The simplicity of the design is relieved only by the slight flare at the rim and the curve of the handle, typical of Tiffany’s Deco designs. The bottom is stamped with Tiffany marks used 1907-47.

• Origin: America, ca 1930
• Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms
• Dimensions: 2-1/16” tall
• Weight: 63.5 grams

A classic figural sterling silver thimble jigger by Thomae & Co. The rim is engraved “Only A Thimble Full.” The interior retains its pale gilding. Several companies made variations of this jigger, but those by Thomae are among the best because of their superior weight and workmanship.

• Origin: America, ca 1935
• Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms
• Dimensions: 2” tall
• Weight: 42.4 grams

This very rare novelty jigger in the form of a snowman measures with the body, opens bottles with the mouth, and when the top hat is removed, turns into a corkscrew!

• Origin: America, ca. 1930
• Condition: good, small area of paint loss on the hat rim, moderate plating wear particularly on the handles, paint touch-up on the face, a 1/8” pinpoint ding on the back side of the jigger.
• Dimensions: 4-3/4” tall

A delightful vintage Halloween bisque figure in the form of a broom-carrying witch and her black cat. Items such as this were used as table decorations, but it’s also possible that they were filled with small candies through the hole in the bottom, then sealed with paper and given as party favors. The witch, with her pasty complexion, gaping mouth, and crossed eyes really looks more like a space alien than a traditional witch. Only her broom and black cat betray her true nature!

• Origin: Japan, ca. 1930
• Condition: very good, about 5% paint loss, mostly to her dress near the broom
• Dimensions: 4” tall.

A very rare French first standard silver (950/1000 pure silver) tastevin, the bottom bearing the coat of arms of the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. The arms depict St. Vincent, patron saint of winemakers. The body is further decorated with the traditional raised “perles” for highlighting the reflections in the wine and recessed “cupules” and elongated “godrons” intended to concentrate the color during the tasting process. The handle is worked in the snake motif traditional in Burgundian tastevins. The rim is stamped with the master silversmith’s mark for Emile Mémery & Henri Hours.

The Confrerie was established in 1934 to promote the wines of Burgundy. Modeled on Medieval guilds, membership in the Confrerie is strictly controlled and is open only to sponsored candidates. A tastevin bearing the arms of the Confrerie could only have belonged to a member. Tastevins used by the Confrerie come in a few different variations (not all the members are wealthy and must make do with a silverplate taster), with the being the rarest and most prized. Known for their service to the elite of Burgundy, Alsace and Lorraine, Mémery & Hours were the preferred silversmiths to the Confrerie’s elite.

• Origin: Lyon, France, ca 1935
• Condition: excellent; sharp detail on the coat of arms; a minor ding on each of two “cupules”
• Dimensions: 3-1/16” x 4” x 1”
• Weight: 96.8 grams

A delightful belly-laughing Santa, patriotically dressed in red, white and blue, stands atop a round box candy container enhanced with mica to represent snow. Santa is stamped "Japan" at the back.

• Origin: Japan, ca 1930
• Condition: excellent, no chips, cracks or paint loss
• Dimensions: 3-5/8" tall

Outstanding antique German snowman Christmas candy container. We've had many vintage Christmas candy containers, but never this design. The entire papier-mache container is covered with red and white chenille. The snowman straddles the container, making a sort of basket handle. His black eyes are glass and his nose is composition. The inside of the basket is marked "Germany."

• Origin: Germany ca. 1930
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: diameter, 4-1/2"; height, 5-1/2"

A classic figural sterling silver thimble jigger, the rim ornately engraved “Only A Thimble Full.” The workmanship is very good and the engraving among the nicest we’ve seen. Marked only “Sterling,” it was likely made by either Thomae or Webster.

• Origin: America, 1935
• Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms
• Dimensions: 1-7/8” tall
• Weight: 37.1 grams

A fine Art Deco 800 silver graduated jigger in an exaggerated flaring design. The sections measure 1, 1 1/2, and 2 1/2 ounces. The bottom is stamped for 800 silver and has an Italian mark used 1935-38 that was applied to finished silver goods already in the inventories of Italian jewelers and silversmiths.

• Origin: Italy, ca 1930
• Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms
• Dimensions: 2 1/8” tall; 2 1/2” wide at rim
• Weight: 36.0 grams

A delightful bisque figure of a skiing Santa Claus carrying a cloth sack on his back. The paperboard skis are enhanced with glittery mica snow. The bottom is stamped "Made in Japan."

• Origin: Japan, ca 1925
• Condition: all excellent, except one ski has an old break that was reglued
• Height: 2-3/4"

A colorful antique iron Christmas feather tree stand decorated with three gnomes dancing under a mushroom. In German folklore the mushroom was considered a good luck omen and it frequently pops up as a motif in antique German Christmas decorations. The stand is heavy enough to hold a very large feather tree. It would also make a great centerpiece for a Holiday table.

• Origin: Germany, ca 1900-30
• Condition: good; some paint loss and rust (see photos)
• Dimensions: top diameter, 7-1/2"; base diameter, 10-3/4"; opening diameter, 1"; height, 8-3/4"

A 1930's Santa Clause figurine with a composition face and boots, a cotton batting beard, a felt jacket, and a cotton toy bag and pants. He stands on a mica-covered paperboard base. Unmarked, but definitely pre-war Japanese. Some of the Japanese Santas have rather fearsome faces, but this one is quite jolly. At 7" tall, he's also a bit larger than most.

Origin: Japan, ca 1930
• Condition: excellent, bright colors
• Height: 7"

A colorful vintage Germany Santa Claus squeeker toy. He has a composition face and cotton batting beard. His suite is red and blue wool felt with white trim. The boots are pressed paperboard. The body conceals the bellows for the squeeker. The bellows still moves, but no longer makes noise. The original “Made In Germany” sticker is still inside one foot.

• Origin: Germany, ca. 1930
• Condition: excellent painted details, a 1/4" hole to one side of the felt hood, no noise
• Height: 7”