Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art: Metals (281)

A nice coin silver rattail spoon by John Brown, active in Baltimore from 1799, after apprenticing in Philadelphia. The bowl is rather narrow, suggesting it was to be used as a pap spoon. The spoon must have been an early piece from Brown's shop, as the design is quite clearly drawn from late 18th century styles. The three-letter monogram in a bright-cut cartouche is also characteristic of the period. The back is marked with Brown's punch.

Origin: Baltimore, ca. 1800. Condition: a few small to moderate dings in the bowl. Size: 5-5/8". Weight: 11.25 grams.

Lovely Renaissance style gilt copper jewel casket by Jenning Brothers. The interior is fitted with the original blue velvet lining. The center of the lid features a coat of arms. Origin: America. The decorative bottom is marked "JB" with the pattern number "1377". Size: 4.5" long; 3" wide; 2" tall. Condition: Slight rubs through gilding to copper base at corners.

Handsome pair of sterling silver ice tongs in the "John Winthrop" pattern by International Silver Co. This is one of the classic American Colonial patterns developed during the early 20th century when people were first beginning to be interested in American antiques. Curiously, the simple design was also a perfect match for the upcoming Art Deco styles of the 20s and 30s. Ice tongs were an uncommon serving piece and are very difficult to find today. The tongs are marked with International's older hallmark.

Origin: America, ca 1911. Condition: excellent, no dings, period "S" monogram. Size: 6-3/4" long. Weight: 63.0 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.

Lovely 84 standard silver pickle fork with traditional engraved decoration on both the front and back of the handle, and on the back of the tines. Fully hallmarked for Moscow, 1895. The assayer's mark is that of A. Sevyer. The maker's mark is "NA" (transliterated).

Origin: Moscow, Russia, 1895. Condition: excellent, a tiny bend at the tip of one tine. Size: 4-1/4" long.

Art Nouveau Imperial Russian silver opera purse from the reign of Czar Nicholas II and Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna. The purse is beautifully engraved with a spider on her web. The spider's body is set with an oval cabochon emerald and her head is a cabochon ruby. A finely detailed 18 karat yellow gold frog appears to be stalking the spider from the edge of her web. The front of the purse has an applied gold inscription, roughly translated as "Little Love", highlighted with a small cabochon sapphire. The interior pocket of the purse was just large enough to hold theatre tickets and perhaps an "emergency" ruble or two! Hallmarked with the Kokoshnik used in the Odessa region, 1896-1908, and also with an unidentified silversmith's mark (perhaps transliterated V.L.).

Origin: Odessa, Russia, 1896-1908. Condition: a few small dings, mostly along the top edge between the ends of the chain right where rings would hit when being carried; apparently there was another applied gold inscription on the back side that is now missing; the interior shows some wear, but is useable. Size (closed): 3-3/4" x 2" excluding chain handle.

A handsome Imperial Russian medium-size hammered brass oval tray with cast brass handles. A tray of this size would probably have been used to serve vodka, and could still be used as a cordial tray or even on a buffet table. One end is stamped with the maker’s name and the Imperial Romanov double eagle warrant. The handles are attached with copper rivets and are cast in a ropetwist design.

Origin: Russia, last quarter 19th century. Condition: excellent, no dings, untouched patina, wear to the Imperial warrant. Size: 14-1/4” x 7-3/8” x 1/2”.

A very nice Imperial Russian enameled silver spoon by Gustav Klingert. The bowl is beautifully decorated in five shades of opaque cloisonné enamels and in translucent red and amethyst. The design I modified floral pattern with a Persian-style reserve. The handle is finished in a fish-scale enameled pattern. Exposed areas of silver are stippled and gilt. The interior of the bowl is engraved “Moscow”, indicating that the spoon was sold as a souvenir to an American or English visitor. The handle is fully hallmarked with the city mark for Moscow and Klingert’s maker’s mark. The date mark is obscured, but the assay master Lev Oleks was active only between 1890 and 1896.

Origin: Moscow, 1890-96. Condition: excellent, no enamel damage, gilding intact. Size: 4-7/32” long. Weight: 15.9 grams.

A very nice hammered brass jardiniere from Russia's Imperial era. The vessel is raised on cast lion's paw feet and is flanked by ring handles grasped in cast lion's heads. The jardiniere is constructed in the traditional manner with seamed joints and a rolled lip. The bottom is stamped with the Imperial Romanov double-headed eagle.

Origin: Russia, ca. 1880. Condition: excellent, a few very small dings (difficult to see on the hammered surface). Size: 6-1/4" tall; 6-3/8" diameter.

Rare hammered brass three-handled loving cup or wedding cup from Russia's Imperial era. The tapering form is nicely accented with forged strap handles attached to the sides with copper rivets. The bottom is stamped with the Imperial Romanov double eagle and the maker's name.

Origin: Russia, ca. 1880. Condition: excellent, no polishing. Size: 4" tall.

A wonderful solid brass humidor, the top embossed with the double eagle insignia of Russia's Imperial Romanov family, and the front embossed with the double lions rampant of the British Empire. The top, front and sides are enhanced with scalloped punchwork borders. The box is raised on claw feet. The interior has a removable tin liner and a perforated platform that was used to keep a moist sponge separated from the surface of the cigars.

England and Russia signed the Anglo-Russian Entente in 1907, and along with the Entente Cordiale (England & France) and the Franco-Russian Alliance (France & Imperial Russia), the three nations formed the Triple Entente that eventually entered into World War I against Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Anglo-Russian Entente greatly leveled the balance of power in Continental Europe and was widely celebrated. This box was created in honor of that event and may have been a mid-level diplomatic gift from a British representative to his Russian peer. Although we have not seen it, we understand that the same box exists with the French arms on the lid in place of Romanov double eagle.

Origin: England, ca. 1907. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, all original; it appears that the perforated sponge screen was originally soldered to the inside of the lid, but it is now separated. Size: 10-7/8" x 6-1/2" x 6".

A beautiful enameled silver patch or pill box by Nicholai Alexeyev. The hinged box is fully covered with enamels worked in shades of opaque white, aqua, periwinkle and royal blue, accented with translucent red and green. The cover and bottom are worked in a stylized starburst pattern, while the sides feature floral banding flanked by traditional triangular and dotted patterns. Exposed areas of silver are stippled and lightly gilt. The interior is also gilt. The interior of the body and lid are marked with the Moscow city mark, the 88 standard, and the maker’s mark for Nicholai Alexeyev. The lid closes securely and can be used as a functional pill box, if desired.

Origin: Moscow, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, no enamel damage. Size: 2-1/8” diameter; 1” high. Weight: 53.0 grams.

Gorgeous oval bronze jewel box from Russia's Imperial era, the top decorated with opaque champleve enamels. The box is decorated around the bottom edge with a row of cast beads. This decorative element is repeated on the lid. The lid is decorated with typically Russian arabesques worked in five shades of enamel. Exposed areas of bronze around the enameling is further decorated with floral and bright-cut engraving. The interior of the box retains its original royal blue silk velvet lining. The style of enameling, as well as the overal appearance of the box suggests it was more likely made in the Moscow area, rather in the more Westernized area around St. Petersburg.

Origin: Russia, circa 1870. Condition: excellent, old patina, no enamel damage; the lining shows appropriate wear. Size: 5" x 4-1/4" x 3-1/4" high.

A rare hammered brass cigar humidor bearing the double-headed eagle insignia of Russia's Romanov dynasty. The tall humidor is of seamed construction and has a hammered surface. The front is decorated with the Romanov eagle applique attached with copper rivets. The interior of the domed lid has a recessed area with a lip that holds a moistened sponge to keep the cigars at the proper humidity. Humidors of this sort are quite rare and were likely used in the offices of lower ranking household officers or staff. The base is stamped with the Imperial warrant, indicating that the maker was an official provider to the Imperial family and its residences.

Origin: Russian, last quarter 19th century. Size: 4-7/8" diameter; 8-1/2" tall.

A unusual brass tea caddy from the Imperial Romanov era. These boxes are much more frequently seen as rectangular shapes rather than ovals. The hinged lid is decorated with an ornately detailed appliqué of the imperial Romanov double-headed eagle. The interior is tin-lined in the traditional Russian style. The lid can be locked with a small padlock—a reminder that tea was once an expensive, luxurious commodity that had to be protected from household thieves. The interior is tin-lined as expected in a Russian brass box.

Origin: Russia, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, no dings, all original. Size: 5-3/16" x 3-7/8" x 2-13/16" high.

Painted cast iron horsehead nameplate by Hubley, intended for use on a stable door, probably at a racetrack or horse farm. Two screws are meant to hold an engraved nameplate to the horseshoe. This would make a great name plate on the front door of a home.

Origin: America, c. 1920. Condition: excellent, less than 5% paint loss. Size: 8" x 4" x 3" deep.

Very nice Gorham sterling silver pin cushion/sewing box. The arched rim of the pierced silver holder has a slightly Gothic appearance. The silk velvet top lifts off to reveal an opening for storing thread, buttons, etc. The interior is lined with the original lime green silk. The bottom is stamped with Gorham's older hallmark.

Origin: America, circa 1900. Condition: silver is excellent, the velvet covering shows the normal considerable wear. Size: 4-3/8" x 3-1/4" x 2-1/4" tall.

A lovely sterling silver powder box by Gorham. The entire body and matching lid are covered in repousse decoration of swirling acanthus leaves. The sides flare out in an elegant curve that is continued in the lid which rises to point in the middle. The bottom is hallmarked with Gorham’s old mark, the pattern number “670” and the date mark for 1890.

Origin: America, 1890. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no dings, original interior gilding, no monogram. Size: 3-5/8” diameter; 3” tall. Weight: 96.5 grams.