Strikingly beautiful Japanese Nishijin obi. The style of the obi is the most formal and expensive style which is called maru obi; the design covers front and back, from one end to the other end. This is an older obi than it looks. The colors are vibrant yet elegant. The design is for the joyous occasion with cranes, hand drums, flowers, pines and repeated pattern of waves (sei kai ha) in gold.

Measurements:

Stunning single-vase epergne in blue opaline glass. The deeply ruffled edges of the trumpet vase contrasts with the gentler ruffle of the lower bowl. The coloring is particularly nice.

Origin: probably France, possibly England, c. 1840. Condition: the very bottom of the trumpet is broken off, but when the trumpet is in place, the break is below the juncture with the lower bowl and no problems are visible (there is a remote possibility that this damage was in the making); otherwise excellent...

Superb gilt bronze figural inkstand depicting a still pond afloat with water lilies. Separately cast lily pads float just above the surface of the bronze "water", three buds in various stages of development rise above the leaves, and the whole is topped off by a fabulous full-blown waterlily inkwell with a honeybee finial. One of the buds serves as a pen holder...

Staffordshire pottery cup and saucer decorated in a rare combination of rococo brown transfer reserves with pink luster roses. The earthenware body is molded in a swirled pattern.

Origin: England, c. 1850. Condition: mint. Size: saucer, 5" diam.; cup 2-1/4" tall, 3" diam. (not including handle).

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.

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.

Painted cast iron paperweight, probably by Hubley.

Origin: America, ca. 1920. Condition: very minimal paint loss (less than 5%). Size: 1-5/8" tall.

Painted cast iron dog paperweight, probably by Hubley.

Origin: America, c. 1920. Condition: good, about 10% paint loss. Size: 1-5/8" tall.

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.

Sterling silver berry spoon in Towle's 1884 "Arlington" pattern. This rare pattern featured a different repousse design on each piece of the service. The gilt spade-shaped bowl is engraved with climbing roses growing on a trellis. This decoration is especially interesting.

The pattern is named after Robert E. Lee's plantation, "Arlington". Union troops buried their dead in Mrs. Lee's rose garden as a spiteful act, and unwittingly created Arlington National Cemetary.

Origin: America, c...

Lovely sterling silver lettuce fork in Whiting's 1896 "Dresden" pattern. The ornate design of flowers and shells compliments the elegant shape of the piece.

Iceberg lettuce, developed at the end of the 19th century, was the first leafy vegetable that would keep long enough to be transported from farms to larger cities. Consequently, lettuce was a very elegant and costly food at formal dinners.

Origin: America, c. 1900. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 9-1/4".

Sterling silver berry spoon in Knowles' 1900 "Lexington" pattern. Simplicity of decoration is the rule, so that the ribbed bowl with its bright matte gilding is the focal point.

Origin: America, c. 1900. Condition: near mint, no monogram, gilding intact. Size: 7" long.

Gorgeous sterling silver pickle fork in a lovely Art Nouveau pattern featuring wild roses trailing assymetrically down the handle. The design continues onto the back of the fork, as well. The elegance of the detailing is simply stunning even the thorns are visible. Excellent condition; no monogram. The reverse is marked "Sterling/Pat. 1903" and has the maker's mark for the Baird-North Co. of Salem, MA. Excellent condition, no monogram. 5-13/16" long.

This is a beautiful antique Japanese Imari bowl in excellent condition, no chips, hairlines, nor repairs.
The measurements of this bowl is 8 1/4 inches in diameter and 3 1/2 inches high and very solid (heavy). Signed.

John C. Moore period Tiffany & Co. sterling silver child's fork decorated with the nursery rhyme "Cock Robin & Jenny Wren." The fork shows the likeness of Mr. Robin wearing a tuxedo and Ms. Wren demurely peeking over her fan. The back is marked "Tiffany & Co. Sterling". The back also bears the letter M designating manufacture between the years 1875 and 1891.

Condition: excellent; usual wear to outer tines; no monogram. Size: 6-1/4" long.

Early Staffordshire porcelain saucer decorated with bright polychrome enamels and pink luster arranged in a very pretty wreath pattern. The body is very slightly molded into lobes along the edges.

Origin: England, c. 1840. Condition: good; a small crow's foot on the back side and a small bite to the bottom rim. Size: 5-5/8" diam.

Fabulous figural silverplated shellfish server. Of the highest quality, this piece is formed as two mussel shells flanking an oyster shell, with a double strap handle reminiscent of seaweed. The bottom is marked with a "N & W" hallmark, along with the pattern number "424" and the registry number "333221" indicating a date of 1899.

Origin: England, 1899. Condition: virtually mint. Size: 11" x 11" x 5-1/4" high.

Terrific chair mat or small round rug hooked in a pattern of two white cats with large blue eyes and big red bows against a field of blue-grey surrounded by a burgundy and black double border. Hooked on a burlap foundation with wool and cotton. Very good condition, except for some discoloration and wear to the black border. 15" diameter. American, probably New England, 19th century.

Wonderful figural sterling silver child's spoon especially for Easter. The handle is decorated with two chicks recently hatched from their eggs above the word "Easter" and an Easter lily. Interestingly, the teardrop shape of the bowl is that used in Victorian times for egg spoons. The back is marked by Durgin and also by D. Low of Salem, MA (maker of the famous Salem Witch spoon). Circa 1890. 4.5" long. Excellent condition, including intact gilding on the interiors of the cracked eggs.

Six elegant Victorian fruit or desert knives with mother of pearl handles and sterling silver ferules with triple-banded decoration in a vine motif. The scimitar-shaped blades are silverplate and are marked "A. Stinnells Co., Inc." American, circa 1890. Excellent condition; one blade has a very small spot of wear to the plating. 6" long.

Late 19th century dark wood card case covered with a carved floral pattern. Good condition. H: 4 ¼ inches, W: 3 inches

Early 20th century Chinese Blanc de Chine. A group of four women gathered around a lotus blossom playing music. Good condition. H: 9 ½ inches, W: 7 inches

19th century nephrite carving of a fisherman holding a fishing pole in one hand and two fish in the other hand. A basket is sitting on the side. Very nice carving in good condition. H: 4 inches, W: 2 ½ inches, D: 1 ¾ inches

17th century S. E. Asian pottery. Dark brown glaze covers 2/3 of the entire body. The bottom shows the light brown clay. The dragon design on the top is provincial and primitive. There is a chip from kiln firing. H: 8 ½ inches, D: 5 ½ inches

Victorian era small ivory notebook cover with interior pocket and divider and silver pencil. The cover has the initials ¡°EB¡± in blue. Good condition. H: 4 ½ inches, W: 3 inches

19th century English tortoise shell card case with hinged lid. Both sides inlaid with mother of pearl floral design. Small crack lines due to age. H: 3 ¾ inches, W: 2 ½ inches

Set of 12 extraordinarily rare sterling silver lobster forks by Puiforcat. Both the handles and the blades are silver and are fully hallmarked with the 1st standard mark, the maker's mark and the town mark. The handles are simply decorated with acanthus leaves and beading. France, circa 1900. Excellent condition; no monogram. Size: 6-5/8" long.

Japanese Edo period (1615~1868) a sage standing on the ground covered by bamboo leaves. It is signed by Kawahara and dated 1824. The base has been repaired. It is in good condition. H: 11 ¼ inches, W: 7 inches, D: 3 ½ inches

Wonderful 7-piece toleware spice set comprised of a handled tray, four spice tins, and two spice tins with sifter tops. Two of the regular tin lids are decorated with a red and yellow pomegranate design; one has a red, yellow and green strawberry design; and one has a red, yellow and green tulip and flower design. The sifter lids are simply decorated with yellow and red arcs. The sides of all the tins are decorated with a squiggly yellow line, as are the sides of the tray...

Meiji period Japanese bronze vases. Silver and copper inlaid design depicting a long-tailed rooster in a plum tree. Signed by ¡°Ichinori¡±. Maker¡¯s seal is on the bottom. They are in good condition. H: 5¡±, W: 2¡±

Exceptional American coin silver melon spoon in the Grecian taste. Although simply marked "Coin" this spoon could easily be the work of Gorham, Coles, or other makers of similar repute. The matte finished bowl is decorated with repousse lobes highlighted with bright cut engraving; the handle solely with bright cut engraving.

Origin: America, New England or Mid-Atlantic region; circa 1860. Condition: excellent; no monogram. Size: 8.25" long.

Lovely sterling silver bowl by Gorham. The bowl is basically formed in the traditional Revere style, but has a folded over rim enhanced with an Art Nouveau border of waterlilies and lilypads. With Gorham's usual attention to detail, the waterlilies are presented in several stages of development from early bud to full bloom...

Han Dynasty (200 B.C.~220 A.D.) dark green glazed bowl with cloud and crane design. Small chips on the rim. Outside there are three stacking marks from firing. Iridescent parts appear inside the bowl. It is in good condition. H: 3 ¼ inches, Diam: 6 ¾ inches

Meiji period Japanese bronze vase. Silver bamboo inlaid design. Signed by ¡°Nobuyoshi¡±. Maker¡¯s stamp is on the bottom. It is in good condition. H: 5 inches, W: 2 inches

Han Dynasty (200 B.C.~220 A.D.) green glazed burial candle holders. The entire body of each piece shows an iridescent sheen. Each one has small air hole for firing. They are very pleasant and in good condition. H: 5 inches, W: 4 ¼ inches

Late 19th to early 20th century Japanese Bizen Tokkuri (sake bottle). Pinched form with impressed Daikoku (one of the Seven Gods). Perhaps intentionally thrown with an imperfection. It is in good condition. H: 7 ½ inches, W: 3 ½ inches

Elegant sterling silver berry serving spoon with very high quality bright cut floral engraving. The matte-finished bowl is engraved with a rose motif while the handle has a variety of flowers and foliage. The reverse is marked "Sterling" and "J.S. MacDonald". The firm was in business in Baltimore, circa 1900. Excellent condition, no monogram. 8.75" long.

Han Dynasty (200 B.C.~ 220 A.D.) 5-spout iridescent glaze vase. Beige and olive green glazes cover half the body. It is an extremely rare piece and in perfect condition. H: 10 inches, W: 7 inches

Old Kyoto Nishijin obi. This obi is one of the 5 favorite obis from my collection - we have over 200 obis. It is almost impossible to find a obi like this today. The owner of the store in Tokyo where this obi was purchased once said that single good obi was coming out from one household when they go out knocking on the doors in the old town. The store had gone through changes since and no longer carries antique textiles...

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...

Amazingly beautiful antique Japanese obi. This is a very high quality Nishijin obi. The condition is new with basting stitches. Very fine gold threads are woven into the base silk adding a subtle but shinny look to this obi (tan color comes from this). Crystal clear sky to turquoise blue, beautiful earth tone shades of purple to pink and moss green, you must see to believe this beauty...

Elegant sterling silver lettuce fork in Reed & Barton's "Chambord" pattern, designed in 1909. The reverse is marked with Reed & Barton's hallmark and "Pat. Nov. 9,'09."

Origin: America, circa 1909. Condition: near mint. Size: 9-1/2" long.

Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368~1615) 3-color glazed chests (or trunks). Part of the body of each piece shows an iridescent sheen. There are a few chips on both chests. They are 4 ½ inches tall, 5 ¼ inches long and 3 inches wide.

Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368~1615) 3- color glazed altar table. The top is not glazed and the rest of the body shows an iridescent sheen. It is 6 ½ inches tall, 9 ¾ inches long and 6 inches wide. Excellent condition.

Chinese Han Dynasty (200 B.C.~220 A.D.) green glazed burial candle holders. Both pieces have an iridescent sheen over the bodies. They are in very good condition with a few small chips. H: 4 ¼ inches, W: 2 ¼ inches

Chinese Song Dynasty (960~1270) brown iron glazed oil or sauce storage jar of rounded shape, boldly thrown and shaped, with spout. Good condition. H: 12 inches, Diam: 12 inches

This is a beautiful old Japanese maru obi with the design throughout on front and back. It is the kind of obi that we no longer see them produced. The white area is rich white satin and is whiter than shown in the photos. 12-1/4" wide x 154" long. Early 1900.

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.

This is a very well carved early 20th century ivory fan. The front is carved as grapes and leaves; the back and ribs are plain. The loop which holds the fan ribs together also is made of ivory. It is 7 ¾ inches long and 13 ½ inches wide (open). The silk ribbon is a replacement. It is in great condition.

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.

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.

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.

Eight sterling silver dessert or salad forks in Manchester's lovely 1910 "Southern Rose" pattern. The repousse decoration is similar to Kirk's "Repousse" and Stieff's "Rose".

Origin: America, circa 1910. Condition: excellent, no monograms. Size: 5-7/8" long.

Porcelain beaker decorated in transfer and polychrome enamels with scenes from Boston. The scenes include Faneuil Hall, Bunker Hill Monument, and Old State House. These glasses were made in Bohemia and Germany from the 1890's until World War I. We are also offering similar glasses featuring Mackinac Island, St. Louis and Cincinnati.

Origin: Bohemia, 1891-1918. Condition: near mint, with very slight wear to the gilded edges. Size: 3-3/4" tall.

Porcelain beaker decorated in transfer and polychrome enamels with scenes from St. Louis, Missouri. The scenes include Eads Bridge, Municipal Courts Building, and Union Station. These glasses were made in Bohemia and Germany from the 1890's until World War I. We are also offering similar glasses featuring Boston, Cincinnati, and Mackinac Island...

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.

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.

Sterling silver ladle in a classic Edwardian design by Blackinton Silver Co. The reverse is marked with Blackinton's hallmark.

Origin: America, circa 1920. Condition: excellent, period 3-letter monogram. Size: 5-3/4" long.