Catalog: Antiques (495)

Two-handled celadon jarlet; the glaze extending halfway down the body and in a soft green shade. The exposed earthenware is a reddish hue. Two applied strap handles connect the jar's lip to the shoulders. 15th-16th century. Origin: Southeast Asia, possibly Thailand. Size: 2.5" tall. Condition: Excellent.

Extraordinary late 18th century German silver sugar scissors in the form of a circus monkey. The monkey is wearing a harlequin suit and a bonnet and is grasping two rings that, upon closer inspection, are serpents. Monkeys were very popular exotic animals and inspired wondeful tableware including Meissen figurines and assorted silver. Often they were shown wearing human clothing and performing human tasks. The tongs are fully marked with late 18th century German hallmarks.

Origin: German States, ca. 1775. Condition: excellent, all original, very little wear. Size: 4-1/2" long. Weight: 55.0 grams.

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.

Terrific pair of sterling silver sugar tongs dating to the reign of George III. The design (made by cutting reflective facets in the silver) is very nicely executed on this quality piece, and unlike many Georgian tongs, these are quite heavy.

The tongs are marked with the lion passant and the script hallmark "GS" for George Smith, entered in London in 1782. Since the tongs bear no other marks, they were probably made to order and the duty was never paid.

No monogram and in excellent condition. 5-5/8" long.

Rare four-lobed copper bowl decorated in painted enamel. The decoration pictures three ancient Chinese warriors in a landscape. Like nearly all enamelware, this piece has suffered from the ravages of time, but the fine detail of the decoration and the rarity of the form more than compensate for the condition.

Origin: China, late 18th century. Condition: numerous chips and cracks, particularly along edges. Size: 4-1/2" diam., 2-1/8" high.

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.

Superb Georgian sterling silver swing-handle basket. The bottom of the basket is formed of a silver sheet stamped and pierced in an intricate grapevine motif. The sides, constructed of interwoven silver wire, rise from the base and are decorated with grape cluster appliqués. The rim suggests grape vines, as well. The swing handle is decorated at the top with another cluster of grapes and foliage. The whole is raised on acanthus leaf feet. The inside of the handle is hallmarked for Edinburgh, Scotland, 1795. The sovereign’s head duty mark is stamped, but there is no maker’s hallmark, suggesting perhaps that the basket was a commissioned piece. In its time, the basket would have been used for serving sweets or small fruits. The design was very fashionable the piece is well-executed, making it a choice piece of Scottish Georgian silver.

Origin: Scotland, 1795. Condition: excellent, very sharp detail, no dings, no monograms, all original. Size: 8-3/4” x 7-1/4” x 6-3/4” tall to top of handle. Weight: 398.0 grams.

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 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 classic George III sterling silver wine coaster, the bombe sides with egg and dart decoration and the rim with gadrooning. The decoration is finely crafted. The turned wood base is centered with a silver escutcheon bearing an unidentified coat of arms (dancetty with three swords points down) impaling that of Ashby (ermine chevron and three leopard’s heads) tied with a ribbon. The coaster is clearly stamped with hallmarks for London and the second George III duty mark (1786-1821). The maker’s mark is rubbed, but consists of two pairs of initials, the lower pair being “CB”. The year mark is also illegible. Stylistically, the coaster most likely dates to slightly before or during the early part of the Regency Period (1811-1921). The bottom retains its original green baize fabric.

Origin: England, ca. 1810. Condition: excellent, no dings or cracking. Size: 6-1/4” diameter; 1-3/4” high.

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.

Extremely rare early Staffordshire pearlware pot decorated with three hand-colored transfer prints of King William III at the Battle of the Boyne. This was one of the earliest of the Staffordshire transfer patterns celebrating the Kings and Queens of England. This design is sometimes captioned "No Surrender" and depicts King William defeating the ousted James II and the French troops who were trying to restore England to Catholic control. This form, either a waste bowl or a flower pot is also quite uncommon. The top and bottom rims are decorated with molded beading highlighted wtih gilding.

Origin: England, ca. 1830. Condition: excellent, staining to the interior, bright colors. Size: 5-3/8" diameter at top; 3-5/16" high.

High quality porcelain tea saucer in a most unusual design incorporating polychrome fantasy flowers with pink luster, probably made for the American market. The body is a typical Regency style with tall, sharply angled sides. Origin: England, c. 1800-1820. Condition: mint. Size: 5-5/8" diam.; 1-1/4" high.

A handsome pair of sterling silver sugar tongs from the reign of King William IV. The sides are decorated in a classical late Georgian shell and thread motif. The quality is very fine. The interior have pristine hallmarks for London, 1834-35, and the maker’s mark for William Eaton.

Origin: England, 1834-35. Condition: nearly mint, no monogram, sharp detail. Size: 6-1/8” long. Weight: 69.5 grams.

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).

French Silver Louis XVIII Burgundian Style Wine Taster Tastevin An unusually heavy first standard (950/1000 pure silver) French tastevin decorated in the classic Burgundian style with punchwork grape clusters and a coiled snake handle. The grapevines are also accented with engraved flowers. The bottom has the center pinpoint found in tastevins from this period and is finished simply with a ring or shallow godrons around the edge to help reflect light through the wine. The snake is engraved with scales and has an unusual arrow-shaped tail. The rim is engraved “A. Chantal” for the original owner. The tastevin has the “tête medecin” mark for silver and the silversmith’s mark for Charles-Marie Guidée (Paris).

• Origin: France, 1819-1838
• Condition: very good, a few small flat areas from 200 years of use
• Dimensions: 3-5/8” x 4-3/4” x 1-5/16”
• Weight: 121.2 grams.

Very fine early Staffordshire child's cup decorated with a pair of colorful roosters. The design was hand-colored over a rudimentary sepia-colored transfer. The pearlware glaze has a wonderful lustre. The bottom edge of the cup is decorated with a molded border.

Origin: England, ca. 1830. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, light glaze crazing in interior bottom. Size: 2-7/8" tall; 3-1/8" diameter excluding handle.

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.

A very nice blue and white Chinese export porcelain plate in the Fitzhugh pattern. The central reserve is surrounded by a complimentary design in the four quadrants, all enclosed in a diapered border. The blue color is very intense and the porcelain body has a good, clear white color. The execution of the painted design suggests that the plate dates from the first quarter of the 19th century.

Origin: China, ca. 1810. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 8-5/16” diameter.

This rare Canton covered oval dish (unfortunately, minus its cover) is the finest quality Canton wear, with excellent, crisp underglaze blue decoration. The sides are decorated with floral sprays.

Origin: Canton, China, ca. 1825. Condition: excellent; glaze rubs on the edges; one small glaze bite on the underside of the rim. Size: 9.75" x 8" x 2.25".

Very nice Staffordshire transferware plate in the “Lion” pattern from the “Quadruped” series by Hall. The plate is very finely decorated in underglaze blue with four reserves depicting zebras, goats, deer and horses, surrounding a central reserve depicting a lion. Unmarked.

Origin: England, 1820-30. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, light discoloration on back (easily removed). Size: 10” diameter.

Lacquer tobbaco or snuff box with faux tortoise finish and brass Maltese cross inlay on the lid.

Origin: England, ca. 1820. Condition: good; some crackling and scratching of lacquer surface; one 1/2" and one 1/8" flake on the bottom. Size: 3-1/2" diam.; 1-5/8" tall.

Lovely Edo period porcelain plate with underglaze blue decoration of a shoreline with an outcropping of pine trees on a cliff, a flock of birds, a small village of huts, and three mountain peaks; the edge decorated with blossoms against a dark blue background. The reverse is conservatively decorated with simple brush strokes. The body is very white and of fine quality, the glaze is equally fine, slightly tinted and with a smoth orange peel texture. The sides of the plate are slightly ridged to create a lobed effect.

Origin: Japan, late 18th/early 19th century. Condition: virtually mint, the very slightest of knife scratching to the glaze surface. Size: 9" diameter; 1.25" high.

An extraordinary blue and white Chinese export porcelain beaker-form jardinière raised on feet. The quality of the painted decoration makes this one of the finest examples of 19th century Canton we’ve seen. The entire pot is heavily decorated in a naturalistic array of peonies, cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums. The upper border has a beautiful scalloped pattern while the lip is decorated in a traditional Greek key-type design. Perhaps the finest decorative element, however, are the feet—wonderfully shaped as fat sparrows with their wings outstretched. The detailing of the plumage is really lovely. The sparrows’ heads extend past the bottom of the jardinière to lift it off the surface. The inside bottom has the original hole which could be plugged with a cork to regulate drainage. Potting an item of this size was difficult, and there is a line around the inside bottom edge where the bottom pulled away from the sides a bit in kiln. The bottom also has a hairline that extends around 1/3 of the bottom edge. The hairline is stable and the jardiniere is perfectly usable. Considering the rarity of the form and the superior quality of the decoration, these are really rather minor distractions.

Origin: Southern China, ca. 1820. Condition: good. Size: 10-3/8” tall; 9-1/2” diameter at top.

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 wonderful French first empire tole ware monteith, the sides hand painted with bouquets of colorful flowers against ivory-colored reserves flanked by gilt grapevine designs. The sides rise to handles cast in the form of swans’ heads--a feature very rarely seen. Verrieres are typically oval in shape, but this example is round. The bowl is unusually raised on four lion’s paw brass feet. As a whole, this is one of the more elegant and interesting early tole verrieres or monteiths we’ve seen.

Elegant glassware was a luxury and even the wealthy didn’t have enough to provide a fresh glass with each different wine course during a formal dinner. The monteith or verriere contained water, and the guests’ glasses could be hung from the notched rim to be rinsed in the communal bath. Sometimes, the vessel was filled with cold water and the glasses were simply hung there to be chilled before the service.

Origin: France, ca. 1800. Condition: excellent original paint with slight loss to one bouquet, the interior shows surface rust as expected; three of the notches seem to have been bent and then straightened out again, but this appears to have happened long ago and without any re-painting. Size: 9-1/4" x 12-5/8" at handles; 4-1/2" high (6-1/4" at handles).

High quality porcelain tea saucer in a most unusual design incorporating polychrome fantasy flowers with pink luster, probably made for the American market. The body is a typical Regency style with tall, sharply angled sides.

Origin: England, c. 1800-1820. Condition: mint. Size: 5-5/8" diam.; 1-1/4" high.

A very nice Nanking Chinese export porcelain plate. The blue decoration is finely worked and the body color is excellent.

Origin: China, ca. 1820. Condition: very good, no chips, two tight 1" hairlines visible on the back side at the rim. Size: 8" diameter.

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.

Outstanding pair of early American coin silver sugar tongs. The arms are cut in a modified fiddle shape and are decorated with superb applied fruit baskets. The claws are shaped as scallop shells. The end has a period monogram “BC”. These are undoubtedly the finest coin silver sugar tongs we’ve seen. The inside is marked with an unidentified pseudo-hallmark.

Origin: America, probably New England, circa 1815. Condition: excellent, sharp detail. Size: 6-5/16” long. Weight: 51.5 grams.

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.

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.

A very rare set of four earthenware plates by Choisy-le-Roi depicting architectural landmarks in Paris during the Empire period. Three of the plates depict theatres--a very popular pasttime for the upper classes during the Directorate, Consulate and Empire periods. One scene is entitled "Théâtre de l'Impératrive" and shows the theatre now know as l'Odéon. Another is entitled "Théâtre Italien" and a third is entitled "Théâtre Feydeau"--both of which were noted for operatic performances and both of which played important political roles during the Napoleonic era. The fourth plate depicts "La Bourse de Paris", another one of the architectural landmarks left behind by Napoleon. The twelve-sided plates are bordered with an impressed laurel wreath pattern highlighted with brownish-black lines. These are among the most interesting of the Choisy plates from this era. The backs have impressed Choisy marks.

Origin: France, ca. 1815. Condition: excellent, no cracks or chips, very light knife wear to glaze. Size: 8-5/16" diameter.

English sterling silver berry spoon dating from the reign of George III. The lobed bowl is decorated with repousse apples, berries and foliage; the handle with bright cut engraving, both added later in the 19th century. (We are also offering another berry spoon by a different silversmith and with a slightly different shape, but with identical decoration. Certainly the two spoons were decorated by the same engraver and repousser.) No monograms or removals. The reverse is clearly hallmarked for London, 1811 and an unidentified maker "SA". Excellent condition; the vermeil bowl has faded to a faint lemon color. 8-1/2" long.

A lovely antique crystal plaque by Baccarat encasing a sulphide or "cameo incrustation" of the "Madonna and Child". This particular sulphide is one of the two known depictions of Mary and Jesus used by Baccarat during the classic period of paperweight production. It is a large version and shows Mary supported by a swirling cloud of angels. The back of the plaque is cut in a waffle pattern and the edges are finished in with curved gadroons. A footed cross with the same sulphide subject and gadrooned cutting can be seen in the collection of the Corning Museum of Glass. The crystal is completely free of inclusions. The plaque retains its original bronze mounting and jump ring.

Origin: France, ca. 1825. Condition: excellent; no chips or cracks; original mountings except the bail has been replaced with a wire (not visible from the front or when hanging). Dimensions: 2-15/16" x 3-11/16" (excluding mountings).

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”.