Catalog (2409)

A delightful Georgian lacquered papier-maché snuffbox or tobacco box. The hinged cover is decorated with a handpainted scene depicting a court scene. The sides of the box are painted in colorful floral tracery against a dark green ground. The bottom is decorated with a large gilt medallion against a black background. Interestingly, the facial characteristics of the two people appear to be Chinese, but the interior decor is most definitely in the Persian taste. It is, of course, almost certain that the decorator never stepped foot outside the town in which he was born, and had no idea that Middle Eastern and East Asian people look different.

Origin: probably England, ca. 1800. Condition: excellent, surface decoration is very fine, light wear along the edges of the lid. Size: 3-1/2" x 2" x 1-1/16".

A black lacquered papier mâché wine coaster, the sides enhanced with an unusual gilt pattern of stylized grape leaves and tendrils along with thistles. The decoration is in excellent condition, with a nice warm patina.

Origin: England, ca. 1800. Condition: excellent; normal crackling to the interior; no structural problems; gilding intact. Dimensions: diameter, 13.4 cm (5-1/4 in); height, 4.8 cm (1-7/8 in).

A very fine and rare Georgian locket in the “giardinetti” style featuring an oval rock crystal compartment bordered in gold completely surrounded by silver leaves and flowers set with 117 rose cut diamonds in closed-back settings typical of the period. The matching bail is in the form of a countess’ coronet. This piece is a very rare survival from the Georgian period. Tested and guaranteed silver and 18K. The bail is stamped with illegible hallmarks.

• Origin: probably France, ca 1780
• Condition: excellent, a few minor scratches on the back crystal and a small nick to an interior edge of the front crystal
• Dimensions: 1-3/8” x 2-7/16” (including bail)
• Approximate Total Diamond Weight: .59 carat
• Weight: 14.2 grams

An extremely rare pair of 18th century silver double-faced cufflinks set with old European cut colorless paste gemstones. The crystals are held in place in traditional cut-down settings typical of the period and the faces are joined with the quatrefoil connector almost always seen on this type of cufflink. The backs of the crystals are foiled in silver to provider a brighter appearance. Cufflinks such as these are usually broken up into two pairs of earrings, so it is quite uncommon to find a pair in original condition.

Origin: England, ca. 1780. Condition: excellent, original patina. Size: 17/32” diameter.

A phenomenal and extremely rare George III sterling silver footed wine bottle or decanter coaster retaining its original ruby glass liner. Bottle or decanter coasters of the period are typically formed as simple round collars over turned wooden bases, perhaps enhanced with a bit of engraving or a border. This example is much finer than most others, with its ornately hand-sawn pierced gallery and undulating rim, the whole raised on tall volute feet with scrolled terminals and acanthus leaf capitals. Laurel wreath swags complete the design. The stand is finished with a blown ruby glass liner, precisely cut to fit the silver (it aligns with the silver only if placed exactly correctly). The pierced gallery has a small reserve that appears never to have been engraved. The silver is fully hallmarked for London, 1774-75. As was the practice, the hallmarks were applied before the decoration was complete, and when the piercing was performed, the maker's mark and duty mark were obliterated. Only the edges of those two punches are visible amongst the piercing.

Origin: England, 1774-75. Condition: excellent, all original, no repairs, a few tiny fleabites on the rim of the glass liner. Size: 5-3/8" diameter; 4-1/2" high. Silver Weight: 322.0 grams.

A glamorous pair of drop earrings in a formal Georgian style set with rose cut diamonds and richly colored pear-shaped rhodolite garnets. The gems are set in silver-topped 12K gold to heighten the color of the diamonds, in the manner of period Georgian jewels. The main body of the earring is hinged and swings freeely from the surmounts. The earrings are completed with a diamond-set fringe at the bottom edge. The rose cut diamonds have nice sparkle that nicely complements the rich purple color of the garnets. Tested and guaranteed 12K gold.

• Dimensions: 2 3/8" long from top of earwire.
• Weight: 8.2 grams.
• Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: diamond, .62 carat; rhodolite garnet, 1.4 carats.

A magnificent and extraordinarily rare tole tray depicting the surrender of the French army to the English following the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1760. The quality of painting is stunning. The two figures in the foreground represent General James Wolfe (in red) and the Marquis de Montcalm (in blue). Both generals died from their wounds within hours of the end of the battle, but the painter took artistic liberties by presenting them both in apparently good health. Montcalm passes his baton to Wolfe as a flag-bearer lowers the French royal flag to the ground as a gesture of defeat. British officers can be seen standing at attention behind Wolfe. A tent encampment appears in the background. The scene is enclosed within a gilt border. Toleware was popular in the late 18th and early 19th century, and this example was most certainly painted shortly after the famous victory, while British patriotism surged. The quality of painting, as well as that of the metal tray itself, is superb and shows the hand of a master. Scenic toleware, in general, is quite desirable, but a piece that illustrates such a pivotal event and in such a beautiful way is really beyond rare! The tray could be hung on a wall or could be custom-fitted with a base for use as a table.

Origin: England, ca. 1760. Condition: excellent, all original paint, less than 1% paint loss, a slight bend in the rim near the upper left corner. Size: 30-1/4” x 21-7/8”.

A very rare pair of 18K yellow gold cufflinks designed by Soren Georg Jensen for the firm founded by his father, Georg Jensen. Designed in 1962, during his first year as the firm's artistic director, these cufflinks are a clear example of the stripped-down, modernist sculptural direction the younger Jensen wanted to pursue. Jensen's gold jewelry is considerably rarer than silver, and was often retailed by Jensen at ten times the price of the same design in silver. The cufflinks are appropriately hallmarked and have the design number "1091".

Origin: Denmark, ca. 1965. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 11/16" diameter. Weight: 17.4 grams.

A handsome pair of sterling silver cufflinks by Georg Jensen. The rectangular faces are severely designed in the Art Deco style, with only a series of parallel raised bands as decoration. The solid connectors are attached to hinged oval backs. The cufflinks are marked with the pattern number 80 and bear post-1945 Jensen hallmarks.

Origin: Denmark, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent. Size: 15/16" x 3/8". Weight: 15.6 grams.

All sterling silver pastry server in Georg Jensen's 1927 "Viking" pattern (called "Nordisk" in Danish). This is one of the very rarest of all the Jensen patterns, and was designed by Jensen himself. It is beautifully crafted of the heaviest silver and combines traditional Scandinavian motifs with an Art Deco eye for design. The reverse is marked with the old interlocked "GJ" mark. This pattern has been out of production for many years, and it is extremely hard to find.

Origin: Denmark, circa 1927. Condition: light normal patination on sufaces, crisp details, no monogram. Size: 7.5" long.

Sterling silver pastry server in Georg Jensen’s 1927 “Viking” pattern (also called “Nordisk”). This is one of the rarest Jensen patterns, and was designed by the master himself. It is beautifully crafted of the heaviest silver and combines traditional Scandinavian motifs with an Art Deco sensibility. The reverse is stamped with the hallmark used until 1930. This pattern has been out of production for many years, and is extremely hard to find.

Origin: Denmark, 1927-30. Condition: excellent, sharp detail. Size: 7-1/2” long. Weight: 70.5 grams.

Early 20th century Dutch harbor scene by Gerard Wiegman (1875-1964). The painting depicts a large cargo ship moored at harbor and surrounded by a variety of smaller ships, fishing boats and tugs. The sky is painted in moody shades of ochres and grays that echo the colors found in the water. This choice of coloring suggests the obvious industrial nature of this unidentified harbor. The impasto lends nice texture and depth. Signed lower right “G. Wiegman”. The painting is framed in a mid-century giltwood frame with a linen liner.

Though not Jewish, Gerard Wiegman was forced to escape Holland at the beginning of the Nazi invasion. He smuggled a small number of paintings out with him. Both this painting and the other harbor scene we are offering were among the paintings he smuggled out and kept for his own collection. Eventually, he settled in upstate New York, where he lived until his death. This painting was acquired from the family of the artist.

Origin: Holland, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent. Size: canvas, 19” x 27”; frame, 24” x 31-3/4”.

Early 20th century Dutch harbor scene by Gerard Wiegman (1875-1964). The painting depicts a large cargo ship moored at harbor and surrounded by a variety of smaller ships, fishing boats and tugs. The sky is painted in moody shades of grays that echo the colors of the dark smoke rising from the other large ships in the background. This choice of coloring suggests the obvious industrial nature of this unidentified harbor. The paint was primarily applied with broad brushstrokes, but a thicker impasto suggests the business and confusion on the deck of the ship. The perspective is quite deep and suggests a great deal of forward movement. Signed lower right “G. Wiegman”. The painting is framed in a mid-century carved giltwood frame.

Though not Jewish, Gerard Wiegman was forced to escape Holland at the beginning of the Nazi invasion. He smuggled a small number of paintings out with him. Both this painting and the other harbor scene we are offering were among the paintings he smuggled out and kept for his own collection. Eventually, he settled in upstate New York, where he lived until his death. This painting was acquired from the family of the artist.

Origin: Holland, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent surface, one puncture repair near both upper corners. Size: canvas, 22" x 31"; frame, 27-3/4" x 36-1/4".

A very handsome Art Deco champagne and cocktail stirrer set of imposing size. Each stirrer has a torpedo-shaped finial complete with fins. The stirrers would be inserted with finial down for aerating a glass of champagne or with the thin end down for stirring a cocktail. The underside of the base is stamped the hallmark of B. Borhmann, a silverplate manufacturer in Frankfurt Germany until the mid-1920s. This set has the streamline, machine-age look of the best German Deco design.

Origin: Germany, ca. 1920. Condition: excellent; minute plating wear. Dimensions: 10” tall; stirrers, 6-3/4”.

A lovely silver, plique-a-jour enamel, mother-of-pearl, and paste pendant in the German Art Jugendstil or Nouveau taste. The pendant is worked with very attractive enameled cells in shades of teal, cream and rose. German Art Nouveau pieces from the Pforzheim school tend to be more linear and symmetrical than those from France, and this piece is a classic example. The use of a collet-set mother-of-pearl oval is the center position is very typical of the work of Otto Prutscher, the leading German Art Nouveau jewelry designer. The back is marked "Depose 900" and is signed "HS" or "SH".

Origin: Germany, ca. 1900. Condition: appears to be converted from a brooch; no enamel damage. Size: 1-1/8" x 1"; chain 16-1/2" long. Weight: 6.3 gr.

These porcelain inkwells were made as an advertising novelties for Carter's Ink in 1914. This example has nicely painted details and crisp modelling. The bottom is marked "Made In Germany." Excellent condition. 3.75" 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.

Lovely gilt bronze-mounted oval dresser tray with handmade lace insert. The bottom is marked "Apollo Made in U.S.A. 2697 12."

Origin: America, ca. 1920. Condition: excellent, except a small area of lace has a tear and slight discoloration (12 o'clock position in second photo). Size: 13-1/2" x 6-1/4" x 3/4".

Stunning 2nd Empire pink opaline glass chalice with gilt and enamel decoration. The outside surface has a matte finish except along the lip, the foot rim and the knop rim, each of which is decorated with gilt lines. The primary decoration, however, fills nearly the entire surface with built-up layers of gilding accented with black enamel. The base has a slightly concave polished pontil.

Origin: France, possibly Baccarat, ca. 1840. Condition: glass has three tiny flakes (1 is 1/8"; 2 are 1/16") flakes on the inside edge of the top rim; the primary decoration is completely intact, gilt lines along rims show 20% wear. Size: 6" tall.

Gilt George III sterling silver serving spoon with gadrooned edges and a beautifully scalloped bowl. Spoons that are completely gilt are quite rare. The reverse is hallmarked for London, 1784. The maker’s mark is barely visible and is illegible.

Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 8-7/8” long.

Rare gilt sterling silver replica of the anointing spoon used for the coronation of English monarchs. The original spoon, dating from the 12th Century, is the oldest continuously used piece in the entire English royal regalia. The spoon is used to apply holy anointing oil onto the sovereign during his or her coronation. This replica commemorates the coronation of Queen Victoria’s son Edward VII. Most of these spoons are in the small demitasse or teaspoon size, this is the very rare life-size replica. Because of its size, it has wonderful details that the smaller versions just do not have. The back of the bowl is stamped with the appropriate hallmarks for London, 1901-02, and the maker’s mark “JW/FCW”. The back also has a later monogram “M.C.” dated 1916.

Origin: London, England, 1902. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, retains its original light lemony gilding. Size: 10” long. Weight: 96.5 grams.

Gilt sterling silver replica of the anointing spoon used for the coronation of English monarchs. The original spoon, dating from the 12th Century, is the oldest continuously used piece in the entire English royal regalia. The spoon is used to apply holy anointing oil onto the sovereign during his or her coronation. This replica commemorates the coronation of George V. The handle is stamped with the appropriate hallmarks for London, 1910 and the maker’s mark “CS/FS”.

Origin: London, England, 1910. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, original gilding. Size: 4-1/4” long. Weight: 12.0 grams.

Terrific Battersea-style enameled gin 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".

A fun mid-century chrome and bakelite stoplight handled jigger. The side is marked off in three increments--"Safe", "Caution" and "Danger"--each with a jeweled light. The bottom is marked "Reg'd Design/Glo-Hill Canada". Montreal-based Glo-Hill made a creative range of barware and serving pieces for modern entertaining.

Origin: Canada, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent. Size: 3-13/16" tall.

Lovely porcelain figure of a billy goat standing on a pad decorated with flowers and foliage. The pad has a slightly impressed decoration on the front and gilt lines at the edges. A gold anchor mark is painted on the back of the base.

Origin: England, 1756-69. Condition: mint, except a tiny flake on the bottom of the pad base. Size: 1-3/8" x 2-1/8" x 2-1/4" tall. The anchor mark is just under 1/4" tall.

Lovely Edwardian brooch featuring beautifully-crafted floral swirls and filigree of yellow gold surrounding a carved oval plaque of chrysoprase centered with a collet-set white sapphire. The pinstem is marked with partially illegible marks. The maker's mark "WW" (or "MM") is clearly stamped. Tested and guaranteed 14K.

Origin: Continental, circa 1910. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 1-11/16" x 13/16". Weight: 4.0 grams.

Very handsome and heavy sterling silver master salt dish in the Georgian style. The flattened spherical body has a modified egg and dart border and is raised on acanthus leaf legs terminating in animal paw feet. Goodnow & Jenks was Boston's finest silversmith, albeit only for a short period, 1893-1905. The bottom is marked with the maker's mark, as well as a partially obscured retailer's mark.

Origin: America, ca. 1895. Condition: no dings or deep scratches, light pitting to the interior that can be removed by a light buffing. Size: 2-3/4" diameter; 1-5/8" tall. Weight: 73.5 grams.

Terrific Gorham silverplate figural shot glass in the form of an early American leather fire bucket. The front side is enameled with the emblem of the Chicago Fire Department surrounded with the words “Little Giant Engine Co. 1871”. The back side is modeled to show the leather handle. The bottom is marked “Gorham EP YC3098 CAP 3oz.” Origin: America, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent, no dings, minute wear to enamel on word "Fire Dept". Size: 2-3/4” tall.

A vintage sterling silver figural jigger by Gorham, the sides marked off with enameled stoplights in green, yellow and red. Each light corresponds to the 1, 2-1/2 and 3-1/2 ounce markings on the jigger’s bottom. The bottom is also hallmarked by Gorham.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent; no dings, monograms or enamel loss. Dimensions: 2-7/16” tall. Weight: 51.7 gr.

A vintage sterling silver figural jigger by Gorham, the sides marked off with enameled stoplights in green, yellow and red. Each light corresponds to the 1, 2-1/2 and 3-1/2 ounce markings on the jigger’s bottom. The bottom is hallmarked by Gorham.

Origin: America, ca. 1950

Condition: excellent; no dings, monograms or enamel loss

Dimensions: 2-7/16” tall

Weight: 49.8 grams

A vintage sterling silver figural jigger by Gorham, the sides marked off with enameled stoplights in green, yellow and red meant to signify "go," "caution," and "stop." Each light corresponds to the 1, 2-1/2, and 3-1/2 ounce markings on the jigger's bottom. This example is noticeably heavier than other Gorham stoplights we've had, suggesting that it's of an earlier date. The bottom is hallmarked by Gorham.

• Origin: America, ca. 1950.
• Condition: very good; a very shallow 1/8" ding on the rim (to the left of the lights) and shallow 1/8" ding on the back side near the bottom.
• Weight: 56.9 grams

A vintage sterling silver figural jigger by Gorham, the sides marked off with enameled stoplights in green, yellow and red meant to signify "go," "caution," and "stop." Each light corresponds to the 1, 2-1/2, and 3-1/2 ounce markings on the jigger's bottom. The bottom is hallmarked by Gorham.

Origin: America, ca. 1950.

Condition: Excellent; a very shallow 1/8" ding on the back side near the bottom. Slight paint loss to the red stoplight.

Weight: 53.0 grams

A vintage sterling silver figural jigger by Gorham, the sides marked off with enameled stoplights in green, yellow and red meant to signify "go," "caution," and "stop." Each light corresponds to the 1, 2-1/2, and 3-1/2 ounce markings on the jigger's bottom. The bottom is hallmarked by Gorham.

Origin: America, ca. 1950.

Condition: excellent. No dings. The enamel stoplights have excellent color. The jigger has been professionally polished.

Weight: 52.2 grams

A vintage sterling silver figural jigger by Gorham, the sides marked off with enameled stoplights in green, yellow and red meant to signify "go," "caution," and "stop." Each light corresponds to the 1, 2-1/2, and 3-1/2 ounce markings on the jigger's bottom. The bottom is hallmarked by Gorham. Origin: America, ca. 1950.

• Condition: very good, three dings (one on the side and two under the very edge of the bottom rim; enamel stoplights have excellent color; professionally polished
• Weight: 51.1 grams

A vintage sterling silver figural jigger by Gorham, the sides marked off with enameled stoplights in green, yellow and red meant to signify "go," "caution," and "stop." Each light corresponds to the 1, 2-1/2, and 3-1/2 ounce markings on the jigger's bottom. The bottom is hallmarked by Gorham.

• Origin: America, ca. 1950
• Condition: very good, a small ding on the bottom edge visible in raking light; professionally polished Weight: 53.5 grams

Very heavy sterling silver soup ladle in Gorham's elegant 1901 "Florentine" pattern. The handle is decorated with a satyr mask surrounded by vines, dolphins, clusters of fruit, acanthus leaves and various other classical decorative elements. The design spills from the handle onto the back rim of the bowl. The back of the handle has complementary decoration. Hallmarked by Gorham and with the patent date, indicating an earlier date of manufacture.

Origin: America, ca. 1905. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no dings, no monogram. Size: 12-1/2" long. Weight: 262.0 grams.