Catalog (2449)

A unusually fine example of a scrambled weight by the New England Glass Company. The weight includes latticinio twists and millefiore canes. The set-up includes a complex red, white and blue cane (visible through the concave bottom of the weight) formed of a heart silhouette surrounded by stars. The canes are tightly packed for a very nice appearance. The glass is quite clear.

Origin: America, circa 1870. Condition: very good, a few small surface nicks on the crown, no cracks. Size: 2-5/8” diameter; 1-7/8” high.

Very unusual glass paperweight from the New England Glass Company. The weight is worked in a patriotic theme with shards of red, white and blue opaque glass rods making up the scrambled design--possibly in celebration of America's centennial in 1876. The center of the setup is punctuated with a large icepick bubble--a technique I have never seen used in an American scrambled weight. There is also a rare silhouette cane of a pine tree. The crown is high and has a lightly swirled finish. The basal concavity is quite deep and irregularly finished.

Origin: America, circa 1876. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, no deep scratches. Size: 2-1/2" diameter; 2" high.

A stunning pair of 18K yellow gold cufflinks by one of Italy's greatest 20th century jewelry artists, Nino D'Antonio Germano. Germano was born into an important family of Roman jewelers in 1926 and came of age during World War II. He was inspired by designs from antiquity, and his pieces often feature ancient Greek, Roman and Etruscan grotesques, masks and other elements. He was principally a sculptor, but made a very small amount of jewelry using the lost wax method of casting. This process is self-destructive and assures that every piece is nearly unique. Original pencil sketches of his jewelry designs are included in the artist's catalogue raisonne "Nino D'Antonio Germano Studio Catalogue Book" (transl, S. Brecker). The quality of the design and its execution is first-rate. The gold surfaces are acid washed to achieve the softly bloomed texture found in ancient jewels. The backs are signed "Germano" and are marked "750" for 18K gold.

Origin: Italy, ca. 1960s. Condition: excellent. Size: 3/4" diameter. Weight: 11.8 grams.

A beautiful pair of late Victorian 14K yellow gold cufflinks set with cat’s-eye chrysoberyls by M. Nosey Dragon & Co. of Tientsin (now Tianjin), China. Each chrysoberyl is surrounded by a finely detailed gold dragon, complete with scales, claws and whiskers. The chrysoberyls are unusually dark, tending toward a grayish-green instead of the more common golden brown. The cat’s-eye effect is very strong. The faces are connected with chains to torpedo backs signed “Nosey” and marked “K14”. The cufflinks are presented in their original fitted velvet and silk box imprinted with the maker’s name. The port city of Tientsin was opened by treaty with France and England in 1860 and became one of the most important trading and tourism cities in Eastern Asia. Fine jewelry, Chinese antiquities and other goods were readily available to wealthy visitors.

Origin: China, ca. 1895. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 3/4” X 1/2". Weight: 8.4 grams.

A wonderful Art Nouveau sterling silver cracker scoop in Blackinton’s 1904 “Daisy” pattern. The handle, decorated with flowers and foliage, nicely accents the ruffled edge of the bowl. Cracker scoops were originally used to serve small crackers similar to today’s oyster crackers. Now, the piece could be used to serve a variety of foods. Blackinton made a small line of very good sterling silver flatware in the Art Nouveau style. All U.S. embassies worldwide use Blackinton flatware for formal occasions. The back is marked with Blackinton’s hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1905. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 9-13/16” long. Weight: 133.0 grams.

A lovely Art Nouveau Krementz 14K yellow gold festoon necklace featuring pear-shaped amethyst drops and small natural pearls enhanced with swags of gold links. Each of the amethysts hangs from a gold trumpet flower mounting that echos the central gold plaque. The gold surfaces are worked in the slightly matte Russian finish popular in high quality Art Nouveau jewels. The clasp and the back of the central plaque are marked by Krementz.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent; the chain has been lengthened from the original 14" to its current 16.5"; the extension is made so the necklace can also be worn at a 15.25" length. Dimensions: length of central drop from the plaque, 1-1/4". Weight: 10.2 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: amethyst, 10.51 carats.

Outstanding late Art Nouveau Continental silver cufflinks with a wonderful design of a gold spider sitting in her niello web. The workmanship and design is quite original and accomplished. The backs are marked with unidentified Continental (possibly German) marks, including the jeweler’s mark “HF”.

Origin: Europe, circa 1900. Condition: excellent, all original, no enamel damage. Size: 27/32” x 15/32”. Weight: 5.5 grams.

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.

Colorful pottery sardine box decorated with all manner of seashells in shades of brown, red, blue and grey. The bottom is marked "Handpainted Occupied Japan" around a peacock logo.

Origin: Japan, ca. 1945-52. Condition: excellent. Size: 5" x 3-3/4" x 2-3/4".

Hand wrought sterling silver pickle fork in the classic "Granada" pattern by Old Newbury Crafters. This is among the most sought after makers of fine American silver. Every piece is made entirely by hand. The spoon surface is highlighted with a slight hammered finish. The reverse is marked "Hand Wrought ONC Sterling". The reverse also bears the mark for the artisan who made the piece, Roger R. Rowell.

Silver from Old Newbury Crafters is the service at Blair House, the official U.S. residence of visiting heads of state.

Excellent condition; no monogram. 6-5/8" long.

Wonderful old Millville, NJ area glass paperweight wig stand or mantel ornament. The setup is pierced with five elongated icepick bubbles. Small bits of aventurine glass highlight the overall coloring of soft yellow and green. The top is heavily faceted with 33 printies of varying sizes. The cutting strikes me as being similar to the faceting seen on good New England Glass Company paperweights. The weight is raised on a baluster form pedestal and a foot. The glass is very heavy and of the finest quality. A similar wig stand/mantel ornament is pictured in Newell's "Old Glass Paperweights of Southern New Jersery".

Origin: Millville, NJ area, late 19th century. Condition: very good, a fleabite on the edge of the top printy, another about a third of the way down the crown, and another on the edge of the foot; a small moon on the perimeter of the weight. Size: 6" tall; foot 3-1/16" diameter.

A very heavy pair of 18K yellow gold stirrup cufflinks retailed by famed New York jeweler Olga Tritt. Stirrup or “étrillé” cufflinks were popularized by Cartier in the 1940s and have appeared in many variations since. This pair is unusual because of the width of the gold mesh and their relative weightiness. The closing mechanism is a bit more decorative than most, even though it can’t be seen when the cufflinks are in place. The mechanism is marked with a French jeweler’s mark indicating 18K. The cufflinks are presented in their original box, the inside of the lid imprinted with Olga Tritt’s logo and Park Avenue address.

Origin: France, ca. 1970. Condition: excellent. Size: 1” x 7/8” x 5/16” wide. Weight: 25.0 grams.

A very heavy pair of 18K yellow gold stirrup (étrier) cufflinks retailed by famed New York jeweler Olga Tritt. Stirrup (étrier) cufflinks were popularized by Cartier in the 1940s and have appeared in many variations since. This pair is unusual because of the gold mesh sides and the unusual decorative shape of the crossbar. The cufflinks are marked with indistinct French master goldsmith’s marks. We have had an identical pair once before, in their original fitted Olga Tritt box. As a French émigré, Tritt manufactured her own line of jewelry and retailed high-quality French jewelry at her Park Avenue boutique.

Origin: France, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, all original. Dimensions: 21 x 24 mm (13/16 x 31/32 in). Weight: 17.9 gr.

Outstanding and gorgeous Victorian liquor decanter in cranberry overshot glass. The body is blown in a ribbed shape and is accented with vertical gilt stripes. The neck is fitted with a silverplate collar and the most extraordinary silverplated jockey head stopper.

Origin: probably England, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, except for two very short, stable hairlines at the neck that are original to the piece; stopper retains the original cork and fits well. Size: 12-3/4" tall.

Painted cast iron paperweight, probably by Hubley.

Origin: America, ca. 1920. Condition: very minimal paint loss (less than 5%). Size: 1-5/8" tall.

Painted cast iron dog paperweight, probably by Hubley.

Origin: America, c. 1920. Condition: good, about 10% paint loss. Size: 1-5/8" tall.

19th century cast iron figure of an angel raising a laurel wreath above her head and holding a ship's anchor. Obviously intended as a symbol of the wishes for a sailor's safe return from the sea, the plaque was probably used to decorate the wall of a sailor's home in an Atlantic coast seaport.

Origin: America, circa 1860s. Condition: excellent, light rusting on surface. Size: 14" tall.

A nice pair of vintage “Sputnik” earrings set with citrines. This style was popularized by H. Stern in the 1950s as a way to show of the company’s unparalleled access to the world’s finest colored gemstones. The design eventually became known as “Sputnik” because of the perceived resemblance to the Soviet satellite active during the early years of the space race. Generally, Sputnik pieces were set with multi-colored stones, but occasionally a piece turns up set only with one stone, as in this case. The citrines have medium-dark, strongly saturated yellowish-orange color that contrasts beautifully with the more yellowish color of the gold mountings. Marked 14K.

Origin: America, ca. 1960. Condition: excellent. Weight: 9.5 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 9.92 carats. 15/16" in diameter.

A delightful composition Easter rabbit figurine from the 1920s. The dapper figure is shown in a walking pose while wearing yellow shoes, a bright red jacket and a white waistcoat. He carries a spun cotton carrot over his shoulder. The bottom is stamped “Japan.”

• Origin, Japan, ca 1925
• Condition: excellent, a smattering of extremely tiny paint nicks
• Dimensions: 3-1/8” tall

The second figure is a happy Easter white rabbit nodder wearing a red jacket with a blue collar. The face and insides of the ears are painted in bright pink. The nodder mechanism allows the head to turn and jiggle slightly.

• Origin: Japan, ca. 1925
• Condition: excellent, a few minor paint scuffs along the ends
• Dimensions: 2-7/8” tall

A beautiful pair of cut glass square bowls, the steep sides blown out into a scalloped shape. The bottoms are cut in Russian pattern, with the buttons cut in Harvard, diamond and a diamond variant. The sides are in panels of a Harvard variant, panels of Russian matching the bottoms, and panels of diamond. The panels are topped with flashed star cuts and are separated by columns of vertical fluting. The edge is finished with teeth. The cutting is very precise and extremely sharp, and the bowls are hand-polished. Unsigned. Both bowls fluoresce yellow under UV light.

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, one bowl has a 3/16” flake on the outside of one tooth and a few extremely tiny roughnesses on the interior of the teeth. Size: 6” x 6” x 2-7/8”.

A pair of elegant Art Nouveau enameled Bohemian glass bowls with floriform decoration. The petals of a vivid pink flower curl up the sides and are interspersed with green tendrils. The flowers are echoed in the undulating rim decorated with a thin line of gilding. The overall workmanship is superb. This sort of decoration was produced by Theresienthal, Meyr’s Neffe, Lobmeyr or Fritz Heckert, and the quality of these pieces is consistent with any of those makers. Typically, this style is seen in goblets, but other tablewares such as these are more uncommon.

Origin: Bohemia, ca. 1895-1905. Condition: excellent, light wear to gilding at rim, no other enamel wear, no chips or cracks. Size: 3” tall, 4-1/2” diameter.

A pair of carved bone master salt spoons decorated with elephants on the handles. Circa 1900. Excellent condition. 2-3/4” long.

A stunning pair of 18K yellow gold hinged bangle bracelets from the "Cometes" line by Chanel Haute Joaillerie. The bracelets are designed as simple band of channel-set brilliant round diamonds punctuated at regular intervals with 5-armed stars, each bead-set with a brilliant round diamond. Though the bracelets appear to be solid, each of the sections is hinged at the star, so the bracelet is flexible and comfortable to wear. The clasps are hidden beneath one of the stars. Each bracelet comprises 72 diamonds of exceptional quality, with F/G color and VVS clarity. The total carat weight of each bracelet is approximately 3.5 carats. Each bracelet is fully stamped with French 18K gold hallmarks and is signed "Chanel." Each is also marked with its unique serial number.

Chanel's fine jewelry is sold in only a few of the company's major boutiques (Paris, New York, etc.) and is never sold at any other retailer. These bracelets are accompanied by a letter on Chanel's letterhead dated May 6, 2009 indicating a replacement value of $19,700 each. The letter includes the information that the bracelets were originally purchased from the New York boutique in 2007 and the serial numbers noted in the letter match those on the bracelets.

Stars were one of Coco Chanel's favorite motifs and she used them in the very first piece of fine jewelry she designed for herself in 1932. Chanel launched its fine jewelry collection in 2003 with the "Cometes" line which uses five-armed stars in endless varieties.

Origin: France, 2007. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: interior opening, 2-3/16" x 1-3/4"; width, 5/16", interior circumference, 6-3/16". Weight: pair, 48.3 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 7.00 carats (pair).

NOTE: Though they look wonderful worn together, we will consider selling the bracelets separately.

Elegant pair of Chinese export porcelain soup plates decorated with a floral scene in the famille rose palette. Pheasants, beetles and butterflies are scattered among the pink peonies, orange pomegranates and blue-green bamboo stalks. The rim is decorated with a striking band of blue and gold strapwork in the Persian taste. The contrast of the restrained formal border pattern against the exuberant naturalistic design of the bowl is striking.

Origin: China, ca. 1800. Condition: no chips or cracks, normal moderate wear to gilding. Size: 9-3/4” diameter.

A pretty pair of Dresden porcelain candlesticks with traditional hand-painted floral decoration. Dresden candlesticks are rather uncommon. The squared bases are intricately pierced and decorated with flowers and gilt highlights. The columns are similarly decorated. Bobeches separate the columns from the candle sockets. The bobeches are original and have not been repaired, but at some point, a previous owner decided to paint her own flowers on the bottom sides of the bobeches and to add more gilding along the rim. Each candlestick is marked by an unidentified maker in underglaze blue, and is also marked "Dresden Germany".

Origin: Germany, ca. 1920. Condition: excellent with alternations as noted above. Size: 9-1/2" tall.

A superb pair of sterling silver footed baskets by Lambert & Co., one of the most highly-esteemed Victorian silversmiths in London (mentioned by Charles Dickens in his writings). The baskets are ornately pierced and rise on ornate scrolled foot collars. The rims are decorated classically with acanthus leaves and scrolls, but a hint of Art Noveau appears in tiny irises, chrysanthemums and forget-me-nots that are scattered along the rim. The swing handles are also pierced and heavily decorated with matching floral motifs. The baskets are ideal for small flower arrangements, nuts, candies, etc. These baskets are of the finest quality and are fully hallmarked for London, 1908-09, and with the maker’s mark for Lambert & Co. as well as the company’s retail shop at 12 Coventry St.

Origin: England, 1907-08. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no dings or monograms. Size: 5-1/2” diameter; 5-1/2” tall. Weight: 507.0 grams.

Very fine pair of George VI sterling silver master salt dishes. The salts are raised on paw feet surmounted by lion masks. The everted rims are gadrooned. The salts retain the original cobalt blue glass liners. The salts are identical, but were made in different years by the same silversmith. One has the date mark for 1936 and the other for 1939. The only difference is that glass liner in one is a little thicker than the other.

Origin: London. Condition: excellent, all original, no dings or monograms. Size: 2-7/8" diameter; 1-1/2" tall. Weight: 202.0 grams (silver only).

Very nice pair of sterling silver napkin rings in their original silk- and velvet-lined fitted box. The inside lid of the box is embossed with the mark "Viner's of Sheffield By Appointment To The Late King George V". Each napkin ring is fully hallmarked for Sheffield, England, 1966.

Condition: mint. Size: 2-3/8" x 11/16" x 3/4".

A gorgeous pair of Victorian sterling silver serving spoons, the handles and bowls amazingly decorated with repousse, chased and engraved designs. The handles are decorated with reserves of winged cherubs hanging garlands of flowers, the reserves surrounded by rococo shell motifs. The stems are decorated with floral garlands leading to the amazing decorative bowls, covered in repousse floral designs. The backs of the handles are as attractive as the fronts and are engraved with a very handsome three-letter monogram. The spoons are fully hallmarked for London, 1894, and bear a script maker’s mark “AB” or “AR”. These spoons are extremely heavy, and are of the absolutely finest quality being produced at the end of the 19th century.

Origin: England, 1894. Condition: excellent, very sharp detail. Size: 8-7/16” long. Weight: 164.0 grams.

A pair of sterling silver berry spoons of the finest quality dating to the reign of George III. The quality of the repousse and bright cut decoration is beyond compare. The design of the bowl includes cherries, applies, pomegranates and foliage. The backs are clearly hallmarked for London, 1800 and for the maker Thomas Wallis. Excellent condition; no monograms or removals. 9" long.

A very nice pair of Staffordshire spaniels highlighted with gilt decoration. Each dog wears a collar with a padlock and a chain. The muzzles are decorated with pink and black overglaze enamel, and the eyes are set with glass eyes. Both have the whimsical "Joan Crawford" eyebrows. Spaniels with glass eyes, although a bit later than some of the other Staffordshire figures, are difficult to find.

Origin: England, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, no damage, one dog has a slightly open seam on top of the ear that is original to the making. Size: 8-1/2" x 3-1/4" x 9" tall.

Wonderful pair of Hubley cast iron paperweights in the form of African-American children. The little girl wears a yellow jumper over a white blouse and the little boy wears yellow pants and a white shirt. This is the only pair of black memorabilia iron paperweights we’ve seen.

Origin: America, ca 1920. Condition: very good, expected paint wear on high spots. Size: 1-3/8” tall.

A beautiful pair of 14K yellow gold double curb link bracelets. The links are enhanced with ornate repousse decoration but could be worn inside out when a smoother look is called for. The clasp of each bracelet is stamped with Viennese 14K gold marks used 1872-1902. The bracelets are priced as a pair, but are available separately.

• Origin: Austro-Hungarian Empire, 1872-1902
• Condition: excellent, no dings
• Dimensions: 7-3/4” long; 1/2” wide
• Weight: 47.3 grams

A lovely pair of imperial Russian spoons, the backs of the bowls decorated with finely engraved scenes depicting portions of the Arsenal and the State Historical Museum on Moscow’s Red Square. The handles are finished in the traditional twist motif. The surfaces are gilt, and the engraving is worked through the gilding in some areas and more lightly in others, allowing a nice contrast of colors within the design. Each is fully hallmarked for Moscow, dated 1889 and with the maker’s mark for Ivan Alexeyev (1876-1912).

Origin: Moscow, 1889. Condition: excellent, gilding intact. Size: 5” long. Weight: 27.2 grams (the pair).

Pair lovely Minton porcelain cabinet plates featuring handpainted pastoral scenes. One shows a footbridge over a rushing stream and the other shows a pair of cows wading in a pond. Both are surrounded by Minton's famous turquoise blue. The edges are gilt and embossed with a foliate pattern. The backs are impressed "Minton" and have the year mark for 1879. Origin: England, 1879. Condition: the bridge plate is excellent, with about 10% loss to the gilding along the rim; the cow plate is good, with about 70% loss to the gilding along the edge and along the inner rim. Size: 9-1/8" diam.

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.