Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art (485)

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 pair of 19th century wooden Russian Easter eggs handpainted with traditional motifs. One egg is brightly painted with a maiden wearing peasant clothing and the traditional kokoshnik headdress. The reverse side is painted with the letters “XB” for Khristos Voskrese (“Christ Is Risen”). The other egg is painted with a scene of a peasant woman walking through a birch forest toward her log hut. This egg, too, is painted with “XB”. The eggs are strung on very old, possibly original, satin ribbon. The wood appears to be mahogany.

The tradition of giving eggs to loved ones at Easter was popular throughout Russian society. The common classes gave decorated wooden eggs, while the Tsars favored their loved ones with the creations of Faberge.

Origin: Russia, mid- to late-19th century. Condition: excellent, all original paint. Size: 2” long & 1-3/4” long.

A rare peacock blue pressed glass Imperial Russian tea box, the lid enhanced with intaglio decoration of Moscow’s elegant Neoclassical Pashkov House. The edges of the hinged lid are pressed in a pattern of diamonds and fans, while the sides are decorated in arched pillars and diamonds. The bottom is impressed with the glassworks’ mark and the date 1911. The edges are mounted in white metal and the box retains its original key. Imperial Russian boxes with architectural scenes on the lids are quite rare.

Origin: Russia, ca. 1911. Condition: very good, minor roughnesses on upper edge, three 1/2” flakes on the underside of the bottom rim. Size: 5-3/4” x 3-1/2” x 3-3/16”.

A superb 19th century Imperial Russian wooden Easter egg with polychrome decoration of Christ arising from the tomb flanked by a pair of angels. The scene is beautifully colored and shows dynamic movement. The reverse of the egg bears the gilt letters “XB” for “Christ is Risen.” The egg is completed with its original blue silk ribbon, appropriately worn with age. Careful examination of the drill holes in the egg show even oxidation of the wood’s unpainted surfaces and the paint has typical aligatoring, supporting a 19th century age.

Origin: Russia, ca. 1880. Condition: excellent; negligible paint loss. Dimensions: 3-5/8” long.

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”.

Very nice Imperial Russian clear pressed glass tea box. 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: excellent, two ¼” flakes on the edge of the bottom rim; normal wear to the plating. Size: 4-7/8” x 3-7/8” x 4-1/8”.

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.

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.

A rare enameled beaker made as a souvenir of the 1896 coronation of Imperial Russia’s last monarchs, Czar Nicholas II and Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna. One side of the beaker features the Imperial double-headed eagle and the reverse shows the Imperial cipher. The remainder of the body is decorated with traditional Russian strapwork. The beakers were to be given away to the public on the Khodinka field in Moscow. When the gates were opened, there was a great rush to get to the cups, and hundreds of people were trampled to death. Shortly after, the cup became known as the “Blood Cup” or “Cup of Sorrows”. The incident was thought at the time to be a bad omen for the future of the Imperial couple—an estimation that proved unfortunately correct. These beakers are often in very bad condition, but this one is excellent, with just a small enamel nick on the rim, light rust spots in the interior bottom and light wear to the gilding on the rim.

Origin: Russia, 1896. Size: 4-1/8” tall.

A very fine Imperial Russian lacquer box by Vishniakov. The lid is decorated with a winter scene showing an empty troika, still tethered to its horse, located just outside a snow-covered log building. The scene is beautifully detailed. The interior is lacquered in the dark rust shade characteristic of Vishniakov.

Origin: Russia, ca. 1880. Condition: the top shows considerably alligatoring, but no paint loss; two of the top corners have flakes (visible in photos); the interior has wear to the finish. Size: 5-3/4" x 3-7/8" x 1-11/16".

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.

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.

Excellent lacquer cocktail shaker and six matching cocktail glasses featuring gilt and painted decoration of an elegant, exotic rooster perched on a cherry tree branch. The shape of the shaker's cap is reminiscent of a pagoda.

Origin: Japan, circa 1920. Condition: near mint. Size: shaker, 9" tall; glasses 4-1/4" tall.

Outstanding lacquer cocktail shaker set comprised of a three-part shaker, tray and six cocktail glasses. All are hand decorated in red, gold and silver with a scene of islands connected by an arched footbridge. The islands are populated with pines and traditional Japanese structures including a pagoda, gate and teahouse. Sailing ships are in the sea and Mt. Fufi towers predominantly in the background. The pagoda-shaped top of the shaker is decorated with birds and the cap with flowers. The tray and glasses are decorated with matching motifs.

Origin: Japan, circa 1920. Condition: shaker--the strainer has a small crack connecting four of the strainer holes (does not threaten the shaker's overall integrity), otherwise excellent; glasses--three have flaking to the lacquer on the insides of the rims, otherwise excellent; tray--considerable cracking along the edges where the bottom meets the sides (could be inpainted to lessen the visibility). Size: shaker 9" tall; glasses 5-7/8" tall; tray 10-3/4" x 15-1/2".

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.

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.

Very nice dark blue Staffordshire transferware plate in the “Bear” pattern from the “Quadruped” series by Hall. The plate depicts a river otter catching a salmon in the central reserve, surrounded by shield-shaped reserves depicting (from top going clockwise) a hedgehog and a mole, a pair of rabbits, a seal, and a civet and genet. All of the animals are based on illustrations by Caesar Ibbetson that appeared in John Church’s 1805 “A Cabinet of Quadrupeds.” The back is stamped “I Hall Quadrupeds”.

Origin: England, 1814-32. Condition: very good, a shallow 3/8” glaze nick to the rim at the 2 o’clock position. Dimensions: 8-3/7” diameter.

Elegant sterling silver bonbon server in Kirk's popular "Repousse" pattern--probably the most famous of all the Baltimore silver patterns. The bowl is embellished with intricately designed fruit including grapes, pineapples, strawberries, and peaches. The reverse is marked "S. Kirk & Co. Sterling".

Origin: Baltimore, Maryland, circa 1920. Condition: near mint, no monogram. Size: 5-1/8" long.

Superb ornate Victorian sterling silver soup ladle in the 1882 "Aeolian" pattern by Knowles. This is just a terrific pattern--easily on par with Gorham, Whiting or any of the other great Victorian silversmiths. The handle is ornately decorated with trailing fuchsias and foliage. The bowl is formed as a large leaf with very nice engraved details. The bowl is matte finished for added texture. The back is hallmarked by Knowles.

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, no dings, no monogram. Size: 11" long. Weight: 141.0 grams.

A nice tin tray with tole floral decoration. The center is painted with a colorful bouquet including roses, tulips, peonies, lilies and ferns. The bouquet is surrounded by a foliate border, and the edges of the tray are highlighted with an orange-gold sand paint. The tray is handmade with soldered seams and rolled edges.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent original paint. Size: 18-5/8” x 12-5/8” x 1-3/16”.

Stunning cut Bohemian glass powder jar with top-notch polychrome enameling. The lid is decorated with a wonderful scene of an 18th century gentleman surrounded by bowers of flowers. The sides of the jar are decorated with a wreath of flowers and acanthus leaves. The sides are cut in a St-Louis diamond pattern. The rims of both the jar and the lid are gilt. The bottom of the jar is cut with oval printies alternating with mitres. Unsigned, but definitely the work of Lobmeyr.

Origin: Bohemia, circa 1890. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, no missing enamel, only the most minimal wear to gilding (less than 5%). Size: 3-1/2" diam., 2-5/8" tall.

A classic second standard (800/1000 pure) silver tastevin from the Loire Valley of France. The origins of tastevins can often be identified by the tastevin’s shape. In this case, the bowl is rather shallow and completely without decoration. The handle is formed in the shape of a thin, curvy snake, but is worked without extra decoration such as scales or details to the head. This example is rather early, as is evidenced by signs of hand hammering and the small lathe mark in the middle of the bowl. The bottom is stamped with the original owner’s name, P. Roux. These classic tastevins from the Loire Valley are charming for their simplicity. Stamped with French silver marks and an unidentified maker's mark.

• Origin: Loire Valley, France, ca. 1840
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 2-7/8” diameter (excluding handle)
• Weight: 29.9 grams

A wonderful and very rare Baccarat cut crystal perfume bottle in a simple panel cut enhanced with blue opaline “gems”. The lip of the bottle is cut in a deep petal shape. The stopper matches the décor of the bottle. Though known as “opaline” now, this type of glass was called “agate glass” when it was created at Baccarat in 1842. This pale blue color was called “bleu celeste” (“heavenly blue”). A very similar bottle has a full-page illustration in Jean-Louis Curtis’ landmark book “Baccarat.”

• Origin: France, ca 1845
• Condition: excellent, some extremely tiny abrasions to the facet edges of the gems on the stopper
• Dimensions: 4-1/8” x 4-1/8” x 6-1/4”

A rare French silver (950/1000 pure silver) tastevin from the reign of Louis XVI. This classic example features a classic design of angled “godrons” (grooves) accented with raised “perles” (pearls). The lack of deeply recessed “cupules” suggests that this wine taster was specifically intended for use with white wines. The center of the bottom has the expected tiny lathe mark where the vessel was raised from a solid block of silver. The handle is formed as a coiled snake in the traditional manner. The edge is engraved with the name of the original owner, Monsieur Robert. The tastevin bears the charge and discharge marks for Paris (1789) and an illegible master’s mark.

• Origin: France, 1789
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 3-1/16” x 3-7/8”
• Weight: 72.9 grams

A very fine pair of cast and engraved Louis XVI style bronze dore candlesticks. The round bases are decorated with beading and an ornate wreath of acanthus leaves. The pillars are fluted and broaden slightly before reaching the upper knop, also with acanthus leaf decoration. The sockets are likewise decorated. The original gilding is largely in place.

Origin: France, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, no cracks. Size: 9-1/2" tall.

Figural majolica tobacco humidor in the form of a ball player. The piece is decorated in beautiful, rich colors under the shiny tin glaze. The base is impressed "10830II" and is also painted with the decorator's mark.

Origin: Continental, probably the Low Countries, France or Germany, ca. 1900. Condition: Mint. Size: 6" tall.

A lovely footed sterling silver salver in the George III style. The salver is perfect for use as a wine coaster, as the size will accomodate a magnum or a champagne bottle. The scalloped stepped border is elegantly decorated with acanthus leaves and gadrooning. The shell-shaped feet are flanked by acanthus leaf returns. Marcus & Co. was one of the most exclusive jewelers in America and was one of the few companies to give Tiffany any serious competition. They did not make their own silver, but retailed high-end makers such as Gorham, Frank Smith, Whiting, etc. The bottom is marked with Marcus’ retail mark, “Sterling” and the pattern number 1928.

Origin: America, 1918-27. Condition: excellent, normal wear and some staining on surface (could be buffed), sharp details, no dings or monograms. Size: 7-7/8” diameter; 1-1/16” high. Weight: 296.0 grams.

A handsome three-piece gilt bronze desk set by Marshall Field comprising a letter rack, pen wipe and pen tray. Each piece is decorated with intertwined stylized dragons against a ribbed background with a beaded border. The workmanship is very fine. Marshall Field was an active producer of very high-quality metalwares during the Arts & Crafts period. The bottom of the letter rack is marked “Made by Marshall Field & Co. 2 29”. The bottom of the pen tray is marked “MF & Co VIKING”. The bottom of the pen wipe is not marked and has two holes that suggest there may have originally been an undertray of some sort.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent patina, no cracks, some of the bristles in the pen wipe have been trimmed. Size: letter rack, 8-1/2” wide, 4-7/8” tall, 2-5/8” deep; pen wipe, 2-1/2” wide, 1-7/8” tall; pen tray, 8-7/8” x 3”.

Rare large ironstone platter in the Imari taste with a cobalt blue border by G.L. Ashworth, the successor to Mason’s. The platter’s rim is unusually decorated with reserves showing Japanese ladies with parasols and floral elements surrounded by gilding. The central design shows an Asian-themed still life including peonies, lotus blossoms, pagodas, etc. The back is printed with Ashworth’s mark, is impressed “Real Ironstone China”, and has a decorator’s mark.

Origin: England, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent; no chips, cracks or discoloration; light wear to gilding along edges. Size: 15-7/8” x 12-5/8”.

An uncommon silver tastevin, the bottom inset with a Mexican silver coin featuring the likeness of King Ferdinand VII of Spain, the last Spanish emperor to rule over Mexico. The coin is dated 1821, the year Mexico became independent of Spain. The tastevin is constructed in classic French style, with a coiled snake handle, but it lacks the embellishments usually seen on French examples. The bowl is simply decorated with a hammered surface. The tastevin probably dates to the reign of the Emperor Maximilian, who ruled Mexico’s Second Empire (1864-67). Maximilian was established as emperor by the French Emperor Napoleon III, and French decorative arts became very popular among the wealthy of Mexican society.

• Origin: Mexico, ca. 1864.
• Condition: excellent.
• Dimensions: 9 x 11.5 cm (3-9/16 x 4-9/16 in).
• Weight: 112.0 grams.

Fabulous brass and copper picture frame in the Aesthetic Japonaise style. The basketweave pattern of the brass frame is detailed with raised copper decorative elements that include a crane standing in a stream, bamboo and cherry blossoms. The back has an easel. The frame is 3.5" x 2.75". The oval opening with glass is 2.25" x 1.5". Circa 1870.

Outstanding majolica pitcher in the form of an owl. Modeled by the George Morley Co., this pattern is an icon of American majolica production. The colors are very nice, including the medium-pink interior. Unsigned.

Origin: American, 1884-91. Condition: sharp details, no chips, a hairline running along the back of the pitcher from near the top of the handle to the base, note that the dark areas that look like chips on the base are actually the remnants of adhesive used to hold on old felt pads. Size: 9" tall.

A lovely bright olive green vase with molded ribbed blocking and cold-gilt gold and platinum decoration depicting thistles. The gilding is of very fine quality and has almost an Aesthetic Movement appearance. The vase uses a cased construction of various layers of clear and colored glass typical of Moser. The bottom is finished with a concave polished pontil and is marked with the form/decoration code “Q/195”.

Origin: Bohemia, ca. 1895. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, gilding intact. Size: 10” tall.

Lovely Victorian pickle fork with a mother of pearl handle, a sterling ferule and silverplated tines.

Origin: England, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent. Size: 7-1/4" long.

A very fine Nailsea-Stourbridge green bottle glass paperweight with a foiled flower pot design. A large central petunia-type flower arises on a slender stem from the well-formed pot, and is surrounded with two additional circlets of smaller flowers, four to each layer. This example is particularly nice with a good, clear gather of glass and a fine shape. The bottom has the rough pontil.

Origin: England, mid-19th century. Condition: excellent, very light surface wear. Size: 4" diameter; 4-3/4" tall.

A very fine 12-piece set of gilt silver and mother of pearl dessert, fruit or cheese knives presented in their original fitted box. The tapered mother of pearl handles are tipped with silver finials and ferules decorated in a Louis XVI-style ribbon and reed motif. Most similar sets have plated blades, but these are silver. The silver is gilt, a process that is decorative, but also serves to prevent corrosion from the salts in cheeses which were often served in France as a dessert course. The gilding has faded to a very nice, light lemony color. The interior lid of the velvet- and silk-lined box is marked by the maker, “J. Fayard/Fabricant Orfèvre Joaillier/St Etienne”.

Origin: France, ca. 1860. Condition: knives are excellent, no dings, no cracks, normal fading of the gilding; the box shows considerable wear and has a slightly warped lid. Size: 7-1/2” long.