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...

Large sterling silver berry spoon in Blackinton's 1900 "Nautilus" pattern. The handle is elegantly decorated with scrolls and shells, and nicely complements the lobed bowl. The reverse is marked with Blackinton's hallmark.

Origin: America, circa 1900. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 8-1/2" long.

Lovely sterling silver cream or sauce ladle in Towle's 1900 "Dubarry" pattern. The handle, decorated with a simple spray of roses at the tip, nicely complements the triangular gilt bowl. The reverse is marked with Towle's old mark and "925/1000".

Origin: America, circa 1900. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 4-15/16" 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 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.

Sterling silver sauce ladle in Watson's 1911 "John Adams" pattern. The complete simplicity of the pattern is reminiscent of Colonial American silver, and it would look good mixed with any other pattern. Sauce ladles are a bit smaller than gravy ladles.

Origin: America, circa 1911. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 5-3/4" long.

This mid 19th century famille-rose ink pan (box) is 2 inches tall and 3 inches in diameter. On the top of the cover depicts two roosters fighting in the flower garden. The side is decorated with a floral design. It is in excellent condition.

This late 19th century famille-rose bowl (cup) is 1½ inches tall and 2½ inches in diameter. It depicts one red bird standing on a tree branch and chrysanthemum blossoms on the side. The translation for the four Chinese characters is ¡°This style of drawing copies the Yuan Dynasty¡±. It is in excellent condition.

This mid 19th century famille-rose seal box is 1¾ inches tall and 3½ inches in diameter. It has Qian Long mark on the bottom. The mark is fictitious which is quite common. It is decorated with a floral design. Though the color is slightly worn and tiny chip appears inside the cover, it is in great condition.

This leaf shape famille-rose brush washer is 1 ½ inches tall, 4 ¼ inches long and 3 ½ inches wide. It is dated and signed to the Tong Zhi period (1862~1874). The dish part is divided in two and hand painted with different kinds of flowers. The base is decorated with a green wave design and three orange bats. There is an old chip on the base, but over all, it is in good condition.

Mid 19th century Chinese blue and white ink pan (or box) is 2 inches tall, 3 ¾ inches long and 2 ¾ inches wide. The entire body is hand painted with pattern style of clouds, branches and flowers. The box is evenly divided into two parts. From the remains of pigment, it seems the box was used as a red ink (cinnabar) dish. It is in great condition.

Mid 19th century Chinese blue and white brush holder is 4 ¾ inches tall and 3 inches in diameter. It depicts a scholar with a staff standing in front of a hut which is surrounded by mountains and trees. It is in great condition.

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.

Sterling silver cream or sauce ladle with an Art Nouveau design of lilies. This form was used to ladle cream or other sauces for the desert course. They could also be used for main course sauces that did not require a full-sized gravy ladle. The reverse is marked "Sterling Pat. 1902". Before 1916, many American silversmiths did not mark their name on flatware. Unknown maker.

Origin: America, circa 1902. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 4-3/4" long.

Lovely Victorian sterling silver bonbon spoon featuring a matte-gilt bowl with a scalloped edge. The asymetrical rococo design of the handle was popular in the 1890s. The back is marked "925 Sterling 1000". Before 1916, many American silversmiths did not mark their names on flatware. Unknown maker.

Origin: America, circa 1890. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 5-1/8" long.

Elegant sterling silver meat fork featuring an Art Nouveau design of lilies. The back is marked for Baker-Manchester Manufacturing Co. (Providence, RI). The company was in business for only about fifteen years, and was well known for its ornate serving pieces.

Origin: America, circa 1900. Condition: excellent; no monogram; the faintest hint of lemony matte gilding remains on the tines. Size: 7" (more uncommon than the larger size).

This middle 19th century Chinese topaz brush washer is carved in the form of a large lotus leaf. Two small lotus blossoms and a seedpod lean on the large leaf. It is 4 inches wide and 1½ inches tall. There are a few chips due to the age of the piece.

This late 18th century Chinese rock crystal brush rest is carved in the form of a mountain. It is 3 inches high, 3½ inches wide and 1¼ inches thick. It is in excellent condition for its age.