Catalog (2428)

A very handsome set of twelve sterling silver coffee spoons in a hammered Arts & Crafts design reminiscent of Georg Jensen. The design is very well-conceived, with the arching rows of beads echoing the slightly round indentations left by the hammering process. The spoons are just a bit larger than traditional demitasse spoons, but certainly smaller than teaspoons. The backs are stamped with the guarantee mark of Christian Frederik Heise, who was assay-master in Denmark from 1904 until 1932. They also bear the year mark for 1926. The spoons are presented in their original silk-lined fitted box.

Origin: Denmark, 1926. Condition: excellent, period monograms on the backs of handles. Size: 4-3/4” long. Weight: 149.0 grams.

An amazing whimsical game board reverse painted on glass. The checkerboard design is worked in bright shades of lime green and burgundy, the individual squares outlined with borders painted in orange, red, lavender ocher and gray. The board is decorated with ornate flourishes at each corner bearing the names “Agnes”, “Edd”, “Beulah” and “Mother”. The outer edge is painted in burgundy. The overall appearance is very graphic and reminds us of a good patchwork quilt. The glass retains its original heavy wood frame highlighted with gilding. The backboard is original and the glass appears never to have been out of its frame. The piece could be hung on a wall or custom-fitted with a stand for use as a table.

Origin: America, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent, superficial scratches to the glass surface and wear to the finish of the frame from use as a game board, no paint loss. Size: 20-3/4” x 20-3/4”.

A very nice Victorian watch fob chain of woven hair accented with 14K yellow gold fittings. The weaving is very nicely done from hair in a soft chestnut color. The center of the chain features a paneled gold fitting from which is suspended a gold-mounted pendant drop with acorns and leaves. Hairwork jewelry was a cottage industry and was made both as memorial jewelry and as love tokens. Each end of the chain is finished with gold fittings, as well. A contemporary gold filled chain has been added to the back to transform the fob chain into an 18” long necklace.

Origin: America, ca. 1860. Condition: excellent. Size: 18” long (with extension); 12-1/2” long (without extension).

An extremely rare sterling silver ladle for serving warm alcohol-based punch. The globe-form bowl is the traditional shape for toddy ladles. Today, the ladle could be used for various sauces or beverages such as egg nog—or even a toddy! The straight handle is ornamented with simple turnings before swelling to an olive-shaped terminal decorated with bright-cut floral engraving. The back of the terminal has a period three-letter monogram engraved in a matching style. The inner and outer surfaces of the bowl are heavily stippled and gilt. The back of the handle bears the retailer’s mark “J E Caldwell”. The style indicates this is an early piece of sterling, probably made just after the sterling standard was introduced in America by Tiffany.

Origin: America, ca. 1865. Condition: excellent, all original gilding. Size: 8-3/4” long. Weight: 113.0 grams.

A very nice Victorian inkwell in peacock blue glass. The front side is engraved with an ornate floral pattern. The lid has lapidary cutting around the edges and is engraved with the image of a dove in mid-flight and carrying a letter in its beak. Certainly, the suggestion is of a lovebird delivering a sentimental note! The lid is mounted with a brass hinge.

Origin: America, ca. 1860. Condition: excellent, a small flake under the bottom. Size: 2-1/2” x 2-1/2” x 3-1/16” tall.

A nice pair of painted cast iron curtain tiebacks in the form of sunflowers. The original paint is nicely applied with good shading.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, original paint, very minimal paint chipping along edges. Size: 2-1/4” diameter.

A nice late Victorian South Jersey (Vineland/Millville area) glass paperweight with a frit “Home Sweet Home” design. The set-up is worked entirely in white frit and has few nice features including potted plants on the lawn, a picket fence, and a Y-shaped sidewalk. The glass is clean and has good magnification. The flat base is polished.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: good, no chips or cracks, a few tiny fleabites along the bottom rim, a number of scratches from normal use to the flat base, two shallow moons on the side of the crown. Size: 3-1/16” diameter; 1-5/8” high.

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”.

Superb 19th century Mexican folk retablo on tin depicting Christ crucified, yet living. The subject is sometimes referred to as "La Vindimia Mistica", and sometimes as "El Varon Eucaristo de Dolores". Blood flows from Jesus' wounds into a chalice and basin as a reminder that Christ suffers daily for the viewer's sins. Seven lambs, representing the seven sacraments of the Catholic church surround the fountain. A fruiting grape vine appears behind the figure of Jesus, signifying the relationship of the sacramental wine as the blood of Christ. This retablo is beautifully painted with subtle coloring. The fine details of the fingers, the heavy-lidded eyes, full lips, and faint clouds surrounded the central figure are characteristics suggesting the retablo comes from the Red Bole Group--probably the most accomplished group of 19th century retablo painters.

Origin: Mexico, ca. 1850. Condition: excellent, small areas of paint loss along top border, bright coloring. Size: 10" x 14".

A very good fruit bouquet paperweight by the New England Glass Company. Four pears alternate with cherries and foliage around a central pear. The lampwork fruit is particularly nice in this weight. The bouquet is presented against a spiraling double latticinio basket. The dome is high and offers nice magnification. The crystal is a bit sugary, as is typical of many NEGC weights. The concave base has a wide basal ring.

Origin: America, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent, absolutely minimal surface wear to the dome. Size: 2-1/2" diameter; 2-1/8" tall.

A stunning Art Deco gentleman’s dress set comprising a pair of double-faced platinum cufflinks and three shirt studs. The round platinum faces are enhanced with ridged decoration and feature round old European-cut diamonds. The faces are attached with removable connectors for ease in putting them through cuff holes. The backs are marked with Swiss platinum hallmarks and Imperial Austrian import marks. Both marks are no longer in use, and by cross-referencing the marks, we can determine that the cufflinks date to 1914-21.

The set is completed with a vintage set of matching shirt studs commissioned from Gübelin, one of the world’s most exclusive jewelers, in the 1950s. Working only in Switzerland, Gübelin is known especially for its peerless selection of gemstones and for the workmanship of its Swiss master jewelers. The studs match the cufflinks perfectly, and each is stamped with Gübelin’s hallmark and the custom order number. The toggle backs are 18K white gold, and the faces are hallmarked for platinum. The studs are presented in their original fitted suede-covered Gübelin case, which also has enough room for the cufflinks.

Gübelin did not have its own jewelry manufacturing facilities until the late 1920s, and given the perfect match between the cufflinks and the studs, it seems likely that the cufflinks, themselves, were probably originally retailed by Gübelin.

Origin: Switzerland. Size: cufflinks, 1/2" diameter; studs, 13/32” diameter. Weight: 13.5 grams. Approximate Total Diamond Weight: .95 carat.

A classic Sandwich glass hyacinth vase in a rich amethyst shade. The vase is entirely hand blown, shows the traces of hand marvering. The deeply concave base has a rough pontil and a basal ring showing the expected wear. Hyacinth vases, sometimes called tulip vases or bulb vases, were used to force flowering bulbs for wintertime blooms indoors. They were quite the rage and some Victorian homes had numbers of vases arrayed on windowsills. Pieces by Sandwich are uncommon. An identical example to this, except in cobalt blue and with a large rim chip, sold at auction in July 2006 for $2127.50.

Origin: America, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 9" tall.

A beautiful and rare Retro 14K yellow and white gold floral brooch featuring carved jadeite leaves and a carved rock crystal blossom. The rock crystal has an opalescent quality that appears much like moonstone. Both the front and back surfaces are finely engraved to suggest floral textures. The jade is brightly colored and contrasts nicely with the golden stems and leaves. The back is marked “14K”. Carved gemstone floral pins are quite uncommon.

Origin: America, ca. 1940. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 2-11/16” x 1-1/4”. Weight: 12.0 grams.

A handsome pair of Art Deco 18K yellow gold cufflinks, the faces with oval cabochon blue moonstones in slightly cupped settings. The gems have striking color and fine adularescence. The simple oval settings allow the stones to take center stage. The backs are marked "750" for 18K gold and have the maker's mark "S".

Origin: Continental Europe, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 3/4" x 9/16". Weight: 9.0 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 5.32 carats.

A very good jasper ground glass paperweight by St. Louis. The sole decoration is the pink and white jasper cushion which completely fills the dome. The glass is heavy and nicely clear. The polished concave bottom has relatively wide basal ring.

Origin: France, ca. 1850. Condition: excellent, a surface nick on one side about 1/2" above the base and a tiny fleabite about two-thirds up the side of the crown. Size: 2-3/4" diameter; 1-3/4" high.

A lovely cobalt blue blown glass hyacinth or bulb vase in the classic cone shape. The flared rim was intended to hold a hyacinth or other bulb just above the water line to root. Forcing bulbs was a popular Victorian pursuit and hyacinth vases were lovely adornments for kitchen and conservatory windows. The quality of glass is very good and cobalt blue is a desirable color. The bottom has a sheared pontil.

Origin: America, probably New England, ca. 1890. Condition: no chips or cracks. Size: 6-1/8" tall.

A lovely teal green blow glass hyacinth or bulb vase in the classic cone shape. The flared rim was intended to hold a hyacinth or other bulb just above the water line to root. Forcing bulbs was a popular Victorian pursuit and hyacinth vases were lovely adornments for kitchen and conservatory windows. The teal green is an unusual shade. The bottom has a sheared pontil.

Origin: America, probably New England, ca. 1890. Condition: no chips or cracks, some water staining on interior. Size: 6-5/16" tall.

A very fine Chinese export porcelain basin with decoration in the Rose Medallion style. The interior bottom of the basin is divided into four quadrants, with alternating floral and courtyard scenes. The interior walls are likewise decorated. The everted rim is dcorated with floral reserves punctuating an allover floral pattern against a gilt background. The outer walls are decorated with simple sprays of peonies that echo the interior decoration. The quality of painting is quite nice and the colors are well-chosen. The rim is finished with a gilt band.

Origin: China, ca. 1865. Condition: excellent, only the slightest of wear to the gilding along the rim, no chips or cracks. Size: 16" diameter; 5" high.

A wonderful pair of Modernist sterling silver cufflinks from Taxco, the center of Mexican silver jewelry production in the 20th century. The design is strongly geometric, but has an organic quality as well--almost like a leaf shape. The interiors are nicely oxidized to contrast with the appliqued silver spheres. The backs are hallmarked with the "3M" mark attributed to Miguel Melendez' output from the late 1950s and early 1960s. Melendez was a master silversmith and worked as a designer for many of Taxco's most important makers such as Margot.

Origin: Mexico, ca. 1960. Condition: excellent, all original, beautiful patina. Size: 1-1/4" x 13/16". Weight: 18.0 grams.

An outstanding 14K yellow gold and pearl ring in a sophisticated modernist the design. The split shank creates a flat crown enclosing a row of three pearls, graduating from 5.3 to 6.6 mm. The quality of the pearls are easily on a par with Mikimoto. The luster is superb, the color is cream with rosé overtones, and the surfaces are smooth. Overall, the quality is estimated at AA. The quality of the mounting itself, is likewise superb. The interior of the shank is marked "14K".

Origin: America, ca. 1960. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: crown, 3/4" x 7/16". Finger Size: 4-3/4 (could easily be enlarged). Weight: 9.5 grams.

A terrific 18K yellow gold stick pin in the form of a German shepherd’s head. The detail work is especially well-done, with very accurate representation of the fur, the texture of the snout, etc. The pinstem is stamped with the “tete d’aigle” hallmark for 18K gold.

Origin: France, ca. 1880. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, all original. Size: overall length, 3”; head, 1/2” x 9/16”. Weight: 4.5 grams.

An exquisite set of four sterling silver blotter corners by M.C. Cone. Each corner is made up of a pair of leaves flanking a stylized dogwood blossom, all worked from sheet silver. The upper two corners have the initials “AB” worked into the design, indicating that these were commissioned for the original owner. The backs are signed “Cone Sterling”. M.C. Cone, listed as a metalworker in the 1906/07 edition of the “National Directory of Workers in the Artistic Crafts” worked in West Hartford, Connecticut, not far from where these blotter corners were found. The quality of both design and workmanship is of the very highest level.

Origin: America, ca. 1905. Condition: excellent, all original, no dings. Size: 2-3/4” x 2-3/4”. Weight: 158.5 grams.

A very good Victorian brooch worked in pietra-dura. The design depicts a colorful purple iris blossom with foliage and buds against a black background. The pieces of stone are very well-cut and fit tightly into the design. The back retains the original brass pinstem and c-clasp.

Origin: Italy, ca. 1880. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 1-1/8 diameter.

A wonderful Victorian ironstone footed fruit compote decorated in an underglaze blue floral pattern. Distinctly Asian in flavor, the pattern depicts prunus blossoms and peonies surrounded by rocky outcroppings, foliage and hovering butterflies. The edges are finished in a diaper border. Either end has a leafy handle, heavily accented with gilding similar in style to that found on Old Paris porcelains. The overall shape and use of gilding suggests an early date. The bottom is marked with F. Morley & Co.’s underglaze stamp.

Origin: England, ca. 1845. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, there are three small glaze misses near the upper rim, original gilding intact. Size: 12-1/2” x 9” x 5-5/8” tall.

A lovely and unusual Victorian sterling silver jelly knife in Towle’s 1880 “No. 128” pattern. Also known as “No. 28”, this pattern is characterized by a twisted handle, accented with beautiful bright-cut engraving. The serving end is shaped in the form of a leaf and is matte-gilt to highlight the floral engraving. Originally intended to serve savory jellies, the piece could now be used for pastries. The back is hallmarked by Towle and has the pattern number.

Origin: America, ca. 1880. Condition: excellent, original gilding intact, there may be a slight bend toward the tip of the serving end but it’s difficult to be certain because of the naturalistic form of the bowl. Size: 8-3/8” long. Weight: 45.0 grams.

A very fine early cut crystal wine decanter with etched grapevine decoration. The neck is panel cut and accented with a diamond-cut ring at the base. The panel cutting extends past the ring on the shoulders and resumes at the base. The sides are beautifully decorated with an etched grapevine pattern. The etching is finely done. The base is star-cut. The hollow-blown stopper is panel cut to match the decanter's neck. The inside of the neck and the base of the stopper are etched with matching numbers, indicating this is the original stopper. The glass is quite heavy and very brilliant. If American, the decanter is probably the product of the New England Glass Company. If European, it is either English or Bohemian.

Origin: probably American, ca. 1850. Condition: the stopper has a 1/8" flake at the very top and a few small roughnesses at the high points around the periphery, some discoloration to the interior, otherwise excellent. Size: 14-1/2" tall.

Flint EAPG ale goblet in the "Colonial" pattern, probably by the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company. The goblet has a very attractive, narrow form. Nice clarity.

Origin: America, ca. 1850. Condition: no chips or cracks, a scratch on the bottom interior of the bowl, normal frosted wear on the bottom. Size: 6-3/8" tall.

Flint EAPG goblet in the "Washington" pattern produced by the New England Glass Company. The clarity is excellent.

Origin: America, ca. 1860. Condition: no chips or cracks, normal frost wear on base. Size: 5-13/16" high.

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".

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”.

A fine pair of sterling silver sugar tongs in the classic “Kings” pattern. The design is very nicely worked and the tongs are generously sized. The inside of the tongs are fully hallmarked for London, 1837. They also bear the William IV duty mark. This mark, used in conjunction with the 1837 date mark, was used for only 22 days before being changed to the Victoria duty mark. The maker’s mark is that of either William Barber or William Barrett II.

Origin: England, 1837. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 6” long. Weight: 59.0 grams.

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 lovely pair of hyacinth vases in teal blue glass. The classic shape is slightly conical with a widely flaring rim for resting the bulb over the water. These vases are especially attractive because of their rich color. Forcing hyacinths and other bulbs to bloom indoors was something of a Victorian passion that continued well into the 20th century.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 7" tall.

Very nice Imperial Russian peacock blue pressed glass tea box. Glass tea caddies are difficult to find in this color. The design features fans, strawberry diamonds and Russian cane motifs. The box is bound with silverplated mountings and a lock. The box was almost certainly made by the “OtyM.F. Atelier”. Locked tea boxes were a holdover from earlier days when tea was a precious commodity that had to be kept safe from marauding servants.

Origin: Russia, ca. 1900. Condition: very good, some roughnesses along the bottom edge; normal wear to the plating. Size: 4-7/8” x 3-7/8” x 4-1/8”.

A very good 14K yellow gold brooch featuring an enameled four-leaf clover. The clover's petals are beautifully detailed with enamel decoration and are centered with a prong-set round brilliant cut diamond of very fine quality. The clover is surrounded by a chunky round gold border. The back retains the original pinstem and clasp, and is hallmarked by Krementz.

Origin: America, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent; no enamel damage; a tiny ding on the outer edge of the circle. Size: 1-11/16" diameter. Weight: 10.5 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: .08 carat.

Intensely colored amethyst glass inkwell finished with a gilt brass collar. The severe cubic form is relieved by canted, curved corners. The base is acid-stamped "Made In Czecho-Slovakia", indicating a date between the World Wars.

Origin: Czechoslovakia, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, all original, no chips or cracks. Size: 2" x 2" x 2".