Catalog (2433)

Extraordinary majolica tile raised on bun feet. The tile features a sinuous painted Art Nouveau design of elegant swans swimming in a river with a cityscape beyond, surrounded by a border of bamboo. The design has a distinctly impressionist look that brings to mind some of the Rookwood vellum patterns. The bottom is impressed "66" and has an illegibly impressed maker's mark.

Origin: European, circa 1880. Condition: superficial glaze scratching from normal wear; glaze crazing only on the underneath side. Size: 9.25" square; 1.5" high.

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.

Six very nice sterling silver cocktail or seafood forks elegantly decorated on both the front and back sides. The backs are marked "Sterling Pat. Jan. 21 [18]'99". Unknown American maker.

Origin: American, circa 1899. Condition: excellent; no monograms. Size: 5-1/8" long.

Large Victorian sterling silver meat serving fork, the tines with matte gilding and bright-cut engraving. The reverse is marked "925 Sterling 1000". Nice weight. Unknown American maker.

Origin: American, circa 1890. Condition: excellent; no monogram. Size: 8-1/8" long.

Lovely Victorian sterling silver pickle fork, the handle decorated with shells and roses. The back is marked "925 Sterling 1000". Prior to 1916, many American silversmiths did not mark their flatware with their names. Unknown maker.

Origin: America, circa 1895. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 5-5/8" long.

Sterling silver sugar spoon with very fine decoration of a peacock amidst trailing foliage. The bowl is parcel gilt and is decorated with bright-cut engraving. The reverse is marked "Sterling". Before 1916, many American silversmiths did not mark their name on flatware.

Origin: America, circa 1885. Condition: excellent, period monogram "B" on reverse side. Size: 5-5/8" long.

Six lovely Victorian sterling silver cocktail forks decorated in a pattern of roses and foliage. The backs are also decorated and are hallmarked with a 4-leaf clover, but I cannot identify the maker. They are also marked "Sterling Pat. '92[1892]". Very nice quality.

Origin: America, circa 1892. Condition: excellent; period monogram "CLM". Size: 5-5/8" long.

Staffordshire poodle figure with confetti "fur" and painted facial details.

Origin: England, circa 1850. Condition: excellent, except that the tip of the front paw has been professionally repaired (difficult to see without a blacklight). Size: 3-3/4" tall.

Pair of Staffordshire pottery cake plates with light blue transfer decoration in the Canton or "Willow" theme. Neither plate is marked.

Origin: England, circa 1850. Condition: one plate has a crow's foot visible only from the back; the other has a 1/2" flake on the back of the rim; both have some staining, particularly along the rims. Size: 10" diam.

Elegant sterling silver sauce ladle by Baker-Manchester Co. The lobed bowl has matte gilding and the rare feature of a pouring spout. The reverse is marked with the company's hallmark.

Origin: America, circa 1898. Condition: near mint, no monogram. Size: 5-1/4" long.

Ornate sterling silver meat serving fork, the handle decorated with shells, scrolls, roses and beads, and the matte-gilded tines decorated with bright cut engraving. The reverse is marked "925Sterlin1000", a marking frequently seen on American sterling silver before silversmith's were required to identify their work.

Origin: America, circa 1895. Condition: excellent, period monogram "G". Size: 7-3/4" long.

Elegant sterling silver pickle fork in the 1891 "Corinthian" pattern by the Roger Williams Silver Co. The fork is very heavy and is wonderfully decorated with deep scrolls that rise from the surrounding smooth areas.

Origin: America, 1891-1900. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 6" long.

Very heavy sterling silver serving spoon in Dominick & Haff's outstanding 1898 "New King" pattern. This is one of the company's best patterns and is very difficult to find. The reverse is also marked with the retailer's mark for Bailey, Banks & Biddle.

Origin: America, circa 1898. Condition: excellent, sharp details, period monogram "G". Size: 8-5/16" long.

Fabulous and extremely rare hand-forged iron trade sign in the form of a pretzel. The sign retains an old gilt surface. There is a strong trace of red, yellow and blue paint on the back side and edges of the pretzel, no doubt the colors that were used on the wall or backboard to which the sign was attached through the 13 mounting holes. There also appears to be a red layer underneath the gold. This layer was probably intended to be an undercoating to give the gilding more depth. I don't think the pretzel was originally red and then gilded later. In any case, the gilt surface has considerable age, and probably dates from at least the late 19th century. Approximately 10% of the gilt surface shows wear (nearly all of it on the left side.

Origin: America, found in south-central Pennsylvania, circa mid-19th century. Condition: see paint description above, no cracks. Size: 18-1/2" x 15-1/2" x 1".

Extremely rare oil lamp featuring a base of mercury glass decorated with floral painting and satin finishing. The floral decoration is an autumnal design depicting leaves and wheat in shades of brown, gold, green and cream, accented with cornflowers in blue and small orange flowers. The mercury glass has extensive satin finish which further emphasizes the shiny surfaces. The oil reservoir is flint glass of the highest quality cut in a 12-panel design. The metal mounting between the oil reservoir and the mercury glass base is gilt in a way that the mercury glass blends seamlessly into the rest of the lamp. The shade, no doubt a plain clear glass shade, is gone. The wick knob is marked "Ideal Brenner 20".

Origin: American, almost certainly New England Glass Company, circa 1840-80. Condition: excellent, no cracks or chips, painted decoration intact. Size: 17-1/2" tall (to top of burner).

Very elegant Neoclassical sterling silver server, ideal for either pastry or fish. The handle is decorated simply with banded reeds and laurel boughs, and the pierced blade is decorated with engraved laurel boughs and acanthus leaves. The back of the blade is marked with the French export silver hallmarks for 1879.

Origin: France, circa 1879. Condition: excellent, sharp details, period monogram "RS" on back side of handle. Size: 10-3/4" long. Weight: app. 5.5 troy ounces.

Outstanding sterling silver master salt spoon in a rococo pattern by Gorham. I have not been able to put a name to this assymetrical pattern, although it is very similar to "Marie Antoinette" and "Dresden". The bowl is parcel gilt. The reverse is marked with Gorham's old hallmark.

Origin: America, circa 1885. Condition: excellent, gilding intact, crisp details, period mongram "Y". Size: 3-5/8" long.

A very rare and elegant sterling silver fish server in Whiting's fine 1891 "Louis XV" pattern. The blade retains traces of a very light lemony gilding to protect from the saltiness of fish. The back is marked with Whiting's hallmark alond with the patent date. The server remains in its original box crafted of leather and silk. The inside lid is stamped "G. Seifert/Quebec".

Origin: America, circa 1890s. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, period monogram "AOL"; the leather box has considerable scuffs. Size: 9-1/2" long.

Ornate sterling silver meat serving fork featuring a heavily scrolled handle with matte-gilt, bright-cut tines. The back is marked "925 Sterling 1000". Many late 19th century silver makers did not otherwise mark their wares.

Origin: America, circa 1890s. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 7-1/2" long.

Excellent Staffordshire children's cup illustrating the letter "H". The blue transfer decoration shows the letter amidst scenery filled with "H" words--horse, house, hound and horn. The cup has very nice color and a thick bluish glaze typical of Staffordshire pottery.

Origin: England, circa 1850. Condition: very good, a tiny (1/8") flake at the top rim. Size: app. 3" diam., 3-1/8" high.

Nice sterling silver sugar spoon in Whiting's classic 1880 "Bead" pattern. Whiting's designs are valued because of the small details such as the scalloped edges of the bowl. The reverse is marked with Whiting's old hallmark.

Origin: America, circa 1880s. Condition: excellent, no monogram.

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.

Victorian silver plated sugar tongs in the Gothic Revival taste. Each of the twisted sides is decorated with a woman (who looks curiously like a nun) holding a child, and an angel-like figure. The oval tips are gilt.

Origin: probably Continental, circa 1880. Condition: excellent. Size: 4-3/8" long.

Sterling silver berry spoon in Whiting's 1891 "Louis XV" pattern. This is the smaller-sized berry spoon, and is appropriate for serving a wide range of side dishes or, of course, berries. The back is marked with Whiting's hallmark and the patent date, indicating that this is an older piece.

Origin: America, circa 1890s. Condition: excellent, sharp details, no monogram. Size: 7-5/8" long.

Very rare sterling silver individual berry spoon in Whiting's 1891 "Louis XV" pattern. This is a rare form and the unusual broad shape of the bowl matches that shape of the large berry serving spoons. The bowl is lightly gilt. The back is stamped with Whiting's hallmark, the patent date (indicating an older piece) and the retailer's mark "Jacquemin & Co."

Origin: America, circa 1890s. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 5" long.

Sterling silver sugar spoon in Whiting's 1891 "Louis XV" pattern. The spade-shaped bowl is slightly scalloped at the neck for decorative appeal. The back is stamped with Whiting's hallmark, the patent date (indicating an older piece) and the retailer's mark "A. Stowell & Co." (Baltimore).

Origin: American, circa 1890s. Condition: excellent, very light wear, no monogram. Size: 6" long.

Outstanding sterling silver sardine fork with a fabulous Art Nouveau pattern of Oriental poppies and foliage. Both the front and back are beautifully detailed. The tines are lightly matte gilt. The back is stamped with the hallmark for the Baker Manchester Silver Co. (Providence, RI), a company famous for its ornate serving pieces.

Origin: America, circa 1900. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 5-1/4" long.

Lovely sterling silver berry or casserole spoon in Towle's 1890 "Albany" pattern. Very Victorian in its styling, the decoration makes good use of delicate flowers, swirling foliage, and a beautifully double-scalloped and matte gilt bowl. The back is marked with Towle's hallmark.

Origin: America, circa 1890s. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, period monogram "H"(?). Size: 9-1/8" long.

Very nice Staffordshire spaniel well-painted with black spots, gray accents and a gold padlock collar.

Origin: England, circa 1860. Condition: excellent, except for a 1/8" glaze flake on the back of one ear. Size: 3-7/8" 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.

Superb sterling silver tongs in the "Kings" pattern. These are of the finest workmanship, exhibiting crisp detail on a very heavy blank. Fully hallmarked for London, 1842, with the Victoria head duty mark. The maker's mark is "WE" in conjoined circles.

Origin: London, England, 1842. Condition: virtually mint, period monogram "JJ". Size: 6".

Rare pair of Staffordshire earthenware figurines of whippets. Each dog poses over a rabbit he has brought to the master of the hunt. The cushion bases are decorated with a simple gilt line.

Origin: England, circa 1850. Condition: excellent, a tiny bit of glaze roughness on the tip of one nose, blacklight examination indicates no repairs or repainting. Size: 3-7/8" tall.

Spectacular and rare sterling silver souvenir spoon by Tiffany & Co. The spoon commemorates Commodore George Dewey's 1898 victory at the Battle of Manila during the Spanish-American War. The handle is decorated with a bust of Dewey encircled by a laurel wreath. The wreath is tied with a ribbon which cascades down the stem of the spoon and bears the words "Manila May 1st 1898". The stem is further decorated with seaweed, four stars signifying Dewey's rank, and an anchor. The reverse of the handle is decorated with the laurel wreath and ribbon encircling the coat of arms of the state of Vermont and has Dewey's birth year. The stem is marked "Tiffany & Co. Sterling". All in all, this is one of the most spectacular souvenir spoons by Tiffany we've ever seen!

Origin: America, 1898. Condition: normal light wear, period 3-letter monogram on reverse of handle. Size: 5-7/8".

Lovely panel-cut footed crystal compote, the stem with a blown teardrop. The foot is shaped to conform to the panel cutting. The crystal is top quality, with excellent weight and color. The bottom has a polished pontil.

Origin: England or Ireland, circa 1830. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 5-5/8" tall, 7-7/8" diameter; bowl is approximately 2" deep.

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.

Lovely sterling silver berry spoon in Towle's 1894 "Princess" pattern. The handle is heavily decorated with various floral motifs. The matte-gilt bowl is decorated with floral bright-cut engraving. The reverse is marked with Towle's old hallmark and the design patent date.

Origin: America, circa 1890. Condition: near mint, sharp detail, reverse is engraved "Osgood". Size: 7-5/8" long.