Catalog (2433)

A vintage Austrian silver stopper for a wine bottle or decanter, the finial constructed from a coin known as the “Maria Theresa Thaler”. These coins were first minted during the reign of the Empress Maria Theresa, mother of Marie Antoinette. The front depicts Maria Theresa and the back features the imperial Hapsburg double eagle arms. The abbreviated Latin inscription reflects her full title, “Maria Theresa, by grace of God, Empress of the Romans, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, Archduchess of Austria, Duchess of Burgundy, Countess of Tyrol” and includes her personal motto, “Justice and Clemency.” When the Empress died in 1780, the date on the coin was fixed in perpetuity. The coin had a very reliable silver content and became one of the most accepted coins for international trade—especially in the Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia. It ceased to be used as legal tender in the Austrian empire in 1857, but continued to be minted for international trading purposes. The coin used for this stopper has characteristics usually associated with early 20th century examples, and the hallmark on the stopper’s collar is that used in Vienna after 1922.

Origin: Austria, ca. 1930.

Condition: excellent, sharp detail, all original;

Note that the cork is too wide to fit a wine bottle, but could be shaved down to fit.

Size: 2-1/4” from bottom edge of silver collar to the top of the coin; 1-5/8” wide across the coin.

Weight: 45.0 grams.

A boxed set of six pewter decanter labels or bottle tags for Scotch, bourbon, gin, vodka, brandy and sherry by Stieff for Historic Newport. Newport, RI was one of the most important pewter-making cities of Colonial America, and these tags are made according the 18th century models.

• Origin: America, ca. 1976.
• Condition: tags are excellent; box shows significant wear.
• Dimensions: tags, 2-5/8 x 1-1/4" (excluding chains).

Large sterling silver berry spoon in Blackinton's 1900 "Nautilus" pattern. The handle is elegantly decorated with scrolls and shells, and nicely complements the lobed bowl. The reverse is marked with Blackinton's hallmark.

Origin: America, circa 1900. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 8-1/2" long.

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 brilliant red transparent lucite jewelry box or dresser box, the hinged lid inset with a sterling silver medallion illustrating a pair of lovebirds. The interior of the lid has a small round mirror. The medallion is stamped "Sterling" and has a design patent number registered in 1945.

• Origin: America, ca. 1945
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 4-3/4" x 3-15/16" x 1-3/4"

A delightful vintage snowman feather tree topper made of spun cotton batting. He wears a black paper hat and carries and wood walking stick in one hand. Tough made for a feather tree, the size would be appropriate for a small live tree or he could be hung from a thread as an ornament.

• Origin: probably German, ca 1925
• Condition: excellent, all original
• Height: 5-1/8"

A nice vintage pulp jack o'lantern with the original paper insert. The paint is bright.

• Origin: America, ca 1940
• Condition: very good, a dented area over one eye, a crack at the back that appears to be stable, no burn marks
• Dimensions: 4-1/2" tall excluding wire handle

Late Victorian sterling silver olive spoons/spears such as this are the perfect accompaniment for a sophisticated bar set-up. They can be used for olives, of course, but also for cocktail onions or cherries. They can also be used as a stir in a cocktail pitcher or shaker. The spoon retains its original semi-matte gilding. The stem is marked “925/1000 Sterling.”

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: 8-1/8” long. Weight: 11.7 gr.

A vintage sterling silver figural jigger in the shape of a thimble. The rim is engraved "Only A Thimble Full." The interior is gilt. The bottom is hallmarked by the Webster Silver Co. Origin: America, ca. 1935. Condition: excellent, some gilding intact, no dings. Size: 1-5/8" tall. Weight: 18.1 grams.

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.

A sweet sterling silver baby ring and teething rattle. The central silver piece shows a clock face where hands can be engraved to indicate the time of birth along with the date, year and the infant's weight. The back side can be engraved with the baby's name. The rattle is suspended in a lucite faux mother-of-pearl teething ring. These rattles are very difficult to find with no monograms or other engraving.

Origin: America, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, no engraving or removals. Dimensions: 2-7/16" diameter.

A delightful German Christmas candy container in the shape of a lemon. The container is made from composition then painted and finished with a coat of wax to add a realistic soft sheen. The interior of the pull-out base is marked "Germany."

Origin: Germany, ca. 1910. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: 3.25" x 2.25" x 2.25.".

A delightful German Christmas candy container in the shape of an apple. The container is made from composition then painted and finished with a coat of wax to add a realistic soft sheen. A wick is used for the apple's stem. The interior of the pull-out base is marked "Germany."

Origin: Germany, ca. 1910. Condition: very good; a small amount of crackling to the wax only near the blossom end of the apple. Dimensions: 2.25" x 2.25" x 2.25.".

A delightful German Christmas candy container in the shape of a peach. The container is made from composition then painted and finished with a coat of wax to add a realistic soft sheen. The interior of the pull-out base is marked "Germany." Origin: Germany, ca. 1910. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: 2.25" x 2.25" x 2.25.".

A vintage sterling silver napkin ring, the front decorated with three bears, probably an allusion to the children's story, "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." The back is engraved "Tony" and the interior is stamped "Sterling".

America, ca. 1940. Condition: very good, light wear from polishing, no dings. Weight: 23.4 gr.

Elegant sterling silver meat fork featuring an Art Nouveau design of lilies. The back is marked for Baker-Manchester Manufacturing Co. (Providence, RI). The company was in business for only about fifteen years, and was well known for its ornate serving pieces.

Origin: America, circa 1900. Condition: excellent; no monogram; the faintest hint of lemony matte gilding remains on the tines. Size: 7" (more uncommon than the larger size).

An elegant sterling silver pierced olive spoon with an ornately pierced gilt bowl and and the handle decorated with wild roses enclosed in a curving border. The back is marked “Sterling Pat. 1903”.

Origin: America, ca. 1903. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, original gilding intact, no monogram. Dimensions: 6-3/8” long. Weight: 13.4 grams.

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.

A delightful German Christmas candy container in the shape of a pear. The container was made from composition, then painted and finished with a coat of wax to add a realistic soft sheen. The interior of the pull-out base is marked "Germany."

• Origin: Germany ca. 1910
• Good condition; there is a small nick on the top and a crack extending across the bottom from the opening (it is only in the outer layer and does not go through to the interior
• Dimensions: 3-1/2" x 2-1/2" x 2-1/2"

An elegant sterling silver olive serving spoon in an unnamed floral pattern by Baker Manchester Silver Co. This maker was especially known for their elegant silver serving pieces instead of full flatware services. The Art Nouveau style is evidenced by the trio of fully-opened roses that decorated the tip and center of the curving handle. The design is repeated in the scalloped and pierced bowl, and is shown in reverse on the back side of the spoon. The bowl retains its original matte gilding. The back is hallmarked by Baker Manchester.

Origin: America, ca. 1905. Condition: excellent, sharp details, original gilding, no monogram. Size: 6-1/2" long. Weight: 14.5 grams.

English porcelain teacup and teabowl featuring three fine transfer designs printed in a stunning magenta color that is so intense it almost takes on the appearance of pink luster. The teabowl is decorated with a scene entitled "Winchester College" and the cup has "Macduff's Castle" and "Berwick Salop [sp?]". The saucer is further decorated with two concentric rings around the edge and the cup has two matching rings around the inside lip. Both pieces are in very fine condition, with only minimal scratching of the top surface of the teabowl. English, ca. 1840. Saucer 5-1/4" diam.; cup 2-1/2" tall.

Lovely sterling silver bonbon spoon, the bowl with matte gilding, bright cut engraving, piercing and a scalloped edge. The back is marked "925 Sterling 1000/Pat. Apl'd For". Unknown American maker.

Origin: American, circa 1900. Condition: excellent; no monogram. Size: 5-1/8" long.

Lovely Victorian sterling silver bonbon spoon featuring a matte-gilt bowl with a scalloped edge. The asymetrical rococo design of the handle was popular in the 1890s. The back is marked "925 Sterling 1000". Before 1916, many American silversmiths did not mark their names on flatware. Unknown maker.

Origin: America, circa 1890. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 5-1/8" long.

Sterling silver cream or sauce ladle with an Art Nouveau design of lilies. This form was used to ladle cream or other sauces for the desert course. They could also be used for main course sauces that did not require a full-sized gravy ladle. The reverse is marked "Sterling Pat. 1902". Before 1916, many American silversmiths did not mark their name on flatware. Unknown maker.

Origin: America, circa 1902. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 4-3/4" long.

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.

A very nice small-size silver plate wine taster in the classical style. The bottom features the typical convex bottom surrounded by concave "godrons" adn "cupules." intended to create high and low spots to better appreciate the color of the wine as light is reflected through it. The open shape also allows the bouquet to develop quickly so the wine can be tested easily. The snake handle is generally seen on tastevins from the region of Bourgogne. The tastevin bears an unidentified maker’s mark.

• Origin: France, ca. 1890.
• Dimensions: 2 1/4" diameter excluding handle.
• Condition: excellent, no dings, sharp detail.

Sterling silver sauce ladle in Watson's 1911 "John Adams" pattern. The complete simplicity of the pattern is reminiscent of Colonial American silver, and it would look good mixed with any other pattern. Sauce ladles are a bit smaller than gravy ladles.

Origin: America, circa 1911. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 5-3/4" long.

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.

A beautiful Victorian sterling silver souvenir spoon from Saratoga Springs, New York. The handle depicts a Native American Chief wearing a feathered war bonnet, his bust surrounded by ears of corn and foliage. The bowl has a design picturing a young Native American man drinking from the natural springs and bears the legend “High Rock Spring Saratoga”. The bowl retains its original gilt surface. The back of the spoon is decorated with a tomahawk, bow and quiver of arrows. The stem is marked sterling and has the hallmark for Howard (1878-1902).

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: near mint. Size: 4-3/16” long. Weight: 11.4 grams.

A classic mid-century porcelain water jug advertising Ricard anisette. In the south of France, tradition dictates that a pitcher of water should be served alongside anise-flavored aperitifs to dilute the drink. Makers such as Ricard and Pernod provided advertising pitchers to local bars and cafes to increase their sales. The squared-off shape is less common than the traditional globe-shaped pitcher, and only became popular after World War II. This is a miniature version, about half as tall as usual, and was obviously intended for someone who drinks alone! It’s the only miniature we’ve found after many years.

Origin: France, ca. 1960. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Dimensions: 2-15/16” tall.

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.

Lovely sterling silver cream or sauce ladle with a gilt, lobed bowl featuring a floral display. Designed by the Sterling Silver Manufacturing Company of Providence, RI, in 1908.

Origin: America, c. 1908. Condition: excellent, no monogram, gilding intact. Size: 5-3/4" 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.

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.

Pretty porcelain vase handpainted in soft shades of blue and green over a gently shaded blue background. The porcelain is of the finest quality and the glaze is impeccable. The bottom is marked with the green stamp with the date mark for 1961. The bottom also has the artist’s lowercase initials “SY” and the pattern number “2679/295”.

Origin: Denmark, 1961. Condition: mint. Size: 7-1/2” tall.

Rare, heavy and handsome 5-piece dress set by famed 20th century jewelry designer Cipullo. The double-sided cufflinks and studs are designed as highly-detail scallop shells set with cabochon natural rubies. The workmanship is superb, utilizing combinations of highly polished and matte surfaces to achieve realism. The rubies have very rich, even color. The overall style is similar to the shell designs of Verdura. The cufflink faces are joined by chains stamped with French hallmarks for 18K gold. The findings of the studs are marked “18K”. Cipullo designed for many of the major jewelers of the last century—Tiffany, Cartier, etc.—but also designed independently. This set is part of his independent production and was originally purchased from his estate.

Origin: France, circa 1955. Condition: mint. Size: cufflink large faces, 11/16” x 9/16”; cufflink small faces, 9/16” x 15/32”; studs, 19/32” x 1/2". Weight: 30.0 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 1.54 carats.