Sweet Taxco heart bracelet c1980
Price: £75
This a very lovely bracelet comprising a heavy sliver bangle style bracelet that has a heart at the centre. It is very sturdy and elegant at the same time. It is marked 925 TC-02 Mexico.. The TC number indicates the silversmith and the TC indicates Taxco.
Japanese tooled and painted Leather Clutch Bag, 1930s
Price: £85
This is another clutch bag with an Japanese twist. The form is again typical, a rectangular wallet with a flap cover and two interior compartments between a zipped central bag, the rear compartment with a fabric pocket, all finished in beige silk with leather concertina sides. The body of the bag is in mustard leather with elaborate tooled and coloured designs, the front flap with two panels, one square and one rectangular, the first with buildings by a lake and the second with figures in a rice field with Mount Fuji in the background, the surface underneath with a bridge over a river with mountains and a pagoda in the distance, the back, which also has a diagonal holding strap, with a riverside scene, trees on both the banks and three figures making their way along an adjoing path. The flap is secured by a large popper with a celluloid elephant at the bottom edge. The workmanship here is obvious and the bag, which probably dates, like others similar, to the 1930s has survived in good condition, to be enjoyed and perhaps used today like its counterpart.
Scottish silver ring inset with a Chalcedony stone, 1950s
Price: £45
A Scottish silver ring with a thistle design, inset with a Chalcedony stone, marked ‘silver’ to the interior, 1950s.
Outstanding Victorian Scottish agate opera length necklace
Price: £1500
This is a very rare constructed necklace comprising a long strand of 87 graduated Scottish banded agate beads with a silver fob clasp. The beads are all different which adds to the beauty of the necklace. Can be wrapped around the neck twice or three times with an extender. This necklace has it all!
Pair of Japanese Imari Plates, Meiji Period circa 1880
Price: £150
Pair of fine quality Japanese Imari Plates, Meiji Period (1868-1912) circa 1880, decorated in underglaze blue, iron red and gold with a typical fabric derived 'brocade' style design, the central three leaf clover shape roundel surrounded by three shaped panels with fans all on a ground of stylised scrolling foliage, the reverses plain with two concentric circles in underglaze blue next to the foot rim. The form of these plates is unusual, copying the standard design of a Chinese eighteenth century dinner plate.
Phoenician Glass Vase, signed, late C20th
Price: £45
A glass vase of slender bottle form, the globular body rising to a tall cylindrical neck flaring outwards to the top rim, the vertical banded decoration employing a mixture of yellows, mustard and greens on a blue ground and possibly intended to represent seaweed, the base with etched script marks ‘Phoenician’ and ‘Malta’ and the body with a diamond shape affixed paper label reading ‘PHOENICIAN GLASS’ ‘MALTA’
Phoenician Glass was founded on Manoel Island, Malta in the 1980s by Leonard Sullivan, who had worked previously at Mdina Glass and many of his designs resembled those of his old employers. Certainly, the influence of Mdina and perhaps that of one of its founders, Michael Harris, can be seen here. Phoenician Glass took its name from the ancient Phoenician civilisation, which colonised Malta during the first millenium BC.
LOT 27
Mdina pulled ear glass Vase, Blue Summer pattern, signed, second half C20th
Estimate: £40 – 60
7d 21h 9m
£26.00
Japanese Blue and White Porcelain Bowl decorated with hydrangea, early C20th
Price: £25
A Japanese Bowl of shallow flattened conical form, decorated in underglaze blue and white with a central panel of flowering hydrangea to the interior surrounded by six hydrangea blooms, the exterior with bands of variegated blue wash above a band of white, the base also with a white glaze.
Hydrangeas flourish in Japan and also carry a hidden meaning of apology and gratitude based on a mythical story of an Emperor, who angered a woman he loved by neglecting her, and gave her in recompense a bunch of blue hydrangeas as a symbol of his deep emotion and gratitude. Used here as a decorative motif, the painting of the flowers is skilful and elegantly combined with the plainer exterior. The paste of the foot rim suggests an early C20th dating, perhaps to the late Taisho era (1912-1926).
LOT 3
Murano glass Polar Bear probably by Alfredo Barbini, second half C20th
Estimate: £60 – 80
7d 20h 21m
£32.00
Abstract Design White Glaze Vase, probably British mid C20th
Price: £25
This is an unusual vase of slender ovoid form, glazed in white and with an abstract geometric design to the front with vertical rows of dots and dashes, the reverse plain. The paste of the foot suggests British manufacture and the geometric patterned design recalls pieces from the 1950s and 1960s, although there are no exact parallels for the decoration here. But the elegant shape combined with truly minimalist decoration together produce an object of decorative appeal, highly suitable for the most contemporary of interiors!
Chinese cloisonne bangle with raised enamel decoration circa 1900
Price: £35
Chinese cloisonne bangle, the exterior with raised enamel decoration of stylised scrolling foliage set on a speckled gilt ground between two bands of stylised floral sprays and clouds on a brick red ground, the interior finished in blue enamel; gilt rims to the top and bottom. The style of decoration suggests a circa date in the early twentieth century.
Stunning 1950s paste necklace
Price: £25
This is a beautiful necklace that features large emerald cut paste stones all around the necklace
Set of two vintage Chinese painted eggs in glass display boxes
Price: £25
This is a beautiful set of very detailed painted eggs mounted in glass display boxes. The eggs are decorated with butterflies and flowers and both are set in red tufted silk. Not sure what kind of bird the eggs are from. The seem small for Chicken eggs.
Cosmetic Box with Japonaiserie Decoration, Boch Freres, early C20th
Price: £45
A ceramic box and cover, the base of inverted hemisphere form, the angular cover gently sloping towards the columnar knob finial, the black glaze ground with gilt bands and the lid with a stylised Japanese landscape design showing a snow capped Mount Fuji with trees and a pavilion and surrounded by two floral sprays of lotus and chrysanthemum, the base with a stamped circular mark for ‘Boch Freres’, script (? pattern) marks and impressed numbers ‘1251’.
The firm Boch Freres Keramis was founded by Eugene and Victor Boch and their brother-in-law, Jean Baptiste Nothomb, in 1841 and was located in La Louviere in eastern Belgium. In 1906 Charles Catteau joined the company as artistic director and was responsible for a new and wide ranging series of designs, some under the influence of Japonisme, transitioning the company from producing utilitarian objects to highly decorative ceramics. His work can clearly be seen here in a piece which appears to be quite unusual. Both the form and the decoration reflect early twentieth century fashion in the clean lines and the images inspired by Japan. There is a hint of the aesthetic movement here producing an object of great attraction and interest.
Two brooches - Jerusalem Mother of Pearl and Egyptian Silver, 1950s
Price: £15
This is a lovely group of two very different brooches. One is a large very finely carved mother of pearl brooch that is known as Jerusalem Mother of Pearl. The other is an Egyptian filigree silver brooch depicting a camel.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS FREE UK SHIPPING ON THIS ITEM. For international buyers the shipping cost will be reduced by the UK shipping cost, so don't worry if you are outside the UK, you still receive this benefit!
Chinese carved wood Box decorated Dragons, early C20th
Price: £150
A Chinese wood box with a hinged lid of rectangular form, deeply carved with dragon designs , a large sinuous example on the lid, his scales graphically depicted, within a border of bats and floral rosettes, the sides with smaller companions, two confronting at the front and rear between a shield, with a circular geometric motif at the corners, the interior with another large example slightly stylised and wrapped round a large circular panel, perhaps intended to be carved to display the name of the owner. The richly coloured wood is a form of the rosewood used so often by the makers of the furniture and decorative items intended for export and the style of the carving, accomplished but not with the finest detail, suggests early twentieth century work. But this in no way detracts from a rather striking creation intended for the foreign market.
Japanese Studio Pottery Vase, signed, C20th
Price: £75
This is a most unusual Japanese vase of elongated proportions, the slender cylindrical body rising to a narrow concave neck with a flaring rim edged in brown. The fine quality white glaze is decorated in underglaze colours of blue, copper red and green in a continuous design of flowering lotus against two horizontal double edged bands. Pronounced potting rings can be seen inside the top interior but the white glazed base is quite smooth and has a seven character mark in underglaze blue, presumably indicating the studio which produced it. Late twentieth century dating seems most likely. There are no ready parallels for this piece, although perhaps with imagination one might possibly see a form of sake bottle here, and for the time being it must be appreciated for itself as strikingly modernist example of Japanese ceramic art.
A Matched Pair of Chinese Cloisonne Bottle form Vases circa 1900
Price: £25
A matched Pair of Chinese Cloisonne Vases of squat bottle form with broad bodies and a slender flaring neck, decorated with flowering peony on a blue enamel ground with a gilt wire design of stylised clouds, the bases with two bands of overlapping semi circles and the tops with a band of repeating ju'i lappets, the top interior rims finished in metal and the bases with a gilt foot rim enclosing blue enamel. The designs on these vases match very closely and the peony flowers are in mirror image but the vases are unlikely to have been an original pair. Weight and style of decoration suggest a circa date at the end of the nineteenth century.
Unusual large evening minaudiere by Volupte USA 1950s
Price: £25
This a very unique large minaudiere by American designer Volupte. It contains powder, lipstick and with a part that would have been for cigarettes. It has a female figure with paste stones in an Art Deco design with gold colour waves below. It has some powder and the original lipstick in red. With black taffeta cover so can be carried as a wrist bag.
Pair of J Kent Chinoiserie Foley Ware Vases c1920s
Price: £75
A pair of Vases of pear shape form with slender flaring necks decorated in the Chinoiserie style, the blue transfer ware design depicting Oriental figures in a stylised garden scene with iron red highlighting to the ground, the necks with a stylised floral design and the base with gilt highlighting, the top similarly finished with the gilt decoration extending to the interior. The bases with six character marks in underglaze blue, loosely imitating the Chinese, and reading 'J Kent' 'Ye Olde' 'Foley' 'Ware' 'Fenton' 'England'. Early twentieth century circa 1920s.
Foley is a small district alongside King Street, Fenton, near the border with Longton, in Staffordshire, England. There was a pottery at Foley as early as the eighteenth century, and there were to be 5 different companies which had "Foley" in their name operating in this area, the last of which closed down around 10 years ago. One of these firms was the Old Foley Pottery of James Kent and this was the manufacturer of this pair of vases, marked as 'Ye Olde Foley Ware'. James Kent made a variety of vases in the Chinese style in the 1920s loosely adapting original Chinese models. Decoration was in blue transfer applied before glazing, and the ground was highlighted in gold or iron red, as here. The productions presented modestly priced versions of original Oriental pieces for the English market. These vases are less commonly found now and seldom as original pairs.
French Souvenir Verre Eglomise Box and Cover, Sacre Coeur de Montmatre, circa 1900
Price: £55
This box, and others like it, was probably made in France as a tourist souvenir in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. Formed as a small casket, the base is of pressed brass with relief decoration and four small pad feet. The lid has a ‘verre eglomise’, or reverse painted glass, bevel edged panel set in a brass mount and the box is lined inside. Some of the decoration of the lid is probably transfer with other elements hand painted on the back of the glass in true ‘verre eglomise’ style. The scene depicted is the well known Basilica of Sacre Coeur situated on the top of Montmatre, one of the most frequently visited sites in Paris and therefore eminently suitable as the subject for a memento of the ‘great city’. This is the ‘Grand Tour’ style rather towards its end with cheaper materials and a more mechanical method of production but an authentic example of a period souvenir to tempt the traveller.
Statement necklace in the manner of Lalaounis c1990
Price: £75
This is a wonderful quality necklace comprising two tiers of Etruscan design elements and numerous acorn form drops. This is made to emulate the designs of Lalaounis a very popular jewellery designer and goldsmith who worked in Greece until his death in 2013. It has three tiers of drops and the swirl design is the main design element. The origin of this necklace is unknown but it is amazing quality and is drenched in buttery gold plating.
Cup : the Silver Wedding Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1972
Price: £25
A bone china loving cup with two silver decorated lion handles made by the Paragon China works to commemorate the Silver Wedding (1947–1972) of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1972. The front has the royal coat of arms between a lion and a unicorn and the reverse a cipher, intertwined ‘E’ ‘P’, within a wreath below a crown and sceptres, the blue scroll work reading ‘Love and Unanimity in Married Life’. Lettering in puce at the top and sides celebrates the Royal Wedding in Westminster Abbey in 1947.
The Paragon China Company, formerly the Star China Company (see Lot XX), produced high quality gift items from 1920 to 1971, at first independently and then in alliance with other companies, finally being absorbed by Royal Doulton in 1972 who kept the ‘Paragon’ name until 1991. Commemorative wares were a speciality and this cup is a fine and typical example.
An Octagonal Brass Tray with a roundel of an elephant, probably Persian early C20th
Price: £45
An octagonal Brass Tray with a short squared rim and a wide central well decorated with panels of sylised floral designs in various shapes all interlinked by narrow bands in milled edge decoration, the well with repeating geometric pattern borders and the centre with a raised design of a well modelled elephant standing amidst palm trees. The reverse plain and unpolished. The techniques employed here include repoussé and chased work, but with the addition of niello work where a black metallic alloy is employed as a background to other metal working techniques. Some of the elements of the design, particularly the borders and the central roundel of an elephant can look Indian but the floral work and use of colour is much more typical of Persian decoration and this is most likely what we have here, probably an early twentieth century creation intended as a tourist souvenir. Doubtless designed as a serving tray, this piece functions well as a decorative object for the wall which is why it was later given a soldered hanging fixture.
Fine Quality Cloisonne Box and Cover in the form of a Snail, Japanese circa 1880
Price: £95
A fine quality Japanese Cloisonne Box and cover in the form of a snail, the lid modelled with typical shell spirals and the base with a conforming shape, the decoration comprising small flower heads and butterflies on a blue enamel ground with gilt scroll work, the lid and base edged with a red enamel band highlighted with repeating gilt circles, the foot with a similar red enamel band highlighted with gilt semi circles and with two bands of gilt semi circles filled with a minutely speckled green enamel fill, the interior and the foot of the base finished in blue enamel.
The Japanese produced copies of natural forms in a variety of media. Carved ivory fruit and small animals are well known. Here, cloisonne enamel is used which is less common. The quality of the work speaks for itself and can be judged form the small butterflies on the cover and the green speckle enamel fill at the base. It is typical of the best Meiji period (1868-1912) work and a circa date towards the end of the nineteenth century is most likely.
Fun celluloid elephant motif earrings 1960s
Price: £25
This is a great pair of earrings made from Ivorine or celluloid, It has three concentric circles with small elephants in the centre. The are screw back and do not appear to be silver. These are very light and easy to wear for long periods despite being quite a statement.
Indian silver buckle with Buddha figures, marked, 1920s
Price: £55
This is a beautiful Indian silver buckle, each side with the figure of a seated Buddha surrounded by stylised scrolling foliage. It is a fine example of Indian silver made for export and has full hallmarks.
Egyptian Revival winged scarab statement necklace c1920
Price: £55
This is a very unusual necklace comprising a large silvered pendant that features a large winged scarab beetle with a purple glass stone body and drop. It is unusual that the design is so realistic which emphasise the lines of the Art Deco design. The workmanship is most likely Czech.
Rennie Mackintosh Arts and Crafts silver brooch
Price: £25
This is a lovely and delicate brooch comprising a typical Arts and Crafts motif with a fresh water pearl drop. It is marked with Scottish marks and could be trademarked for Rennie Mackintosh but it is not clear.
Silver Monogram Celtic Style Brooch Hallmarked 1878/1879
Price: £45
A Silver Celtic Style Brooch, the design with interlacing strands in a variety of surface textures, three of which seem to represent the letters 'S' 'S' 'E', hallmarked to the reverse with the stamps (from right to left) lion (fitness mark), anchor, (Birmingham Assay Office mark), 'd' (Date letter for Birmingham 1878 to 1879), 'EU' (Sponsors mark - the firm which submitted the item to the assay office - for Edwin Umfreville who traded at 119 Jermyn Street, St James's, London and offered items with bespoke monograms).
An advert for Edwin Umfreville appeared in 'The Bazaar, The Exchange and Mart - 19th April 1879' where one of his pieces is described. "Like all the “ E. U." jewellery that we have seen, the workmanship is first-class, and the design most tasteful."
Chinese aventurine lariat necklace
Price: £20
This is a lovely necklace that features aventurine beads and central pendant. It is threaded on cotton cord with a Chinese knot closure.
Pair of Bakelite Salts, Italian Fontanini, mid C20th
Price: £45
A pair of Bakelite table salt dishes in the form of two cherubs wearing a quiver and holding a bow and arrow and standing on shell with a rococo style plinth at the edge and three supporting feet underneath. Both pieces are marked 'DEPOSE 186 ITALY' with a small spider mark in addition. This signifies the Fontanini workshop which made a variety of small polychrome resin figures in a rather charming rococo (the term itself derives from the French 'rocaille' which means 'shell work') style of which these are an excellent example. The small spider emblem is often seen on their pieces. Dating is probably to the 1950s.
The well known Italian firm Fontanini, now famous for producing nativity Sets, was founded by Emanuele Fontanini as a small local business in a single room in the tiny Tuscan town of Bagni di Lucca. Working at first in papier mâché, the business turned to the use of bakelite once it became available, marking their pieces with a spider emblem and the wording ‘depose Fontanini up until the 1970s after which these were replaced by the Fontanini name, the date of manufacture, and a small fountain, which allows fairly accurate dating here. Manufacturing is now caried out by the fourth generation of the family.
Scottish Agate bar brooch
Price: £35
This is a very simple and elegant brooch comprising on stone of the typical black and white banded agate.
Pair of Royal Doulton slender Ku form Vases, 1920s
Price: £75
A pair of pottery vases of cylindrical form with a bulbous central section and a slender convex neck, the bases flaring slightly towards the foot, ridged at the bottom, glazed in mottled shades of grey, green and brown, the foot unglazed and with an impressed mark ‘Royal Doulton England’, a model number ‘8878’ and a script artist’s mark. The form and decoration here are rather unusual for Doulton ware and have a distinctly Chinese feel, although there are no direct parallels. The bulbous central section above and below a flaring neck and base loosely recalls the well known ‘Ku’ form, and the mottled glaze effects look towards the celebrated ‘Jun Ware’ glazes. The mark for Doulton is one of the standard impressed 'Royal Doulton England' marks where the lettering forms part of a circle combined with three thick lines and the centre is filled with four interlocking 'D's. The addition of a lion but not with the usual accompanying crown allows a fairly precise dating to between 1923 and 1927. The numbers indicate the pattern number, but no other examples have been found, and the script mark seems to stand for Ella H Adams. There is a timeless simplicity here and this pair of vases could accompany the most contemporary of interiors.
Bisque Scottish boy character doll c. 1900
Price: £60
This is a very sweet souvenir doll comprising a young Scottish boy in tradition dress with a bisque head, hands and feet and a fabric body. With traditional Scottish garb. Made in Germany.
Striking modernist necklace with large butterscotch amber pendant c1970
Price: £50
This is an unusual necklace comprising a large egg yolk amber pendant and spacing beads. In white metal with barrel clasp.
Pair of Chinese Hand Painted Eggs in Case, 1970s
Price: £25
This is an excellent example of a type of souvenir model made in China, probably in the 1970s. The pair of eggs are delicately painted with ladies in a garden scene to the front which continues to the reverse. They are displayed on small stands set on a crushed fabric base and set within a purpose built case made from wood and glass. Underneath is a label reading ‘Made in China’ with four Chinese characters ‘Zhong Guo Zhi Zao’ which translate as the same. This type of mark seems to have been used on porcelains from the 1970s allowing an approximate dating here.
Florentine style lapis and silver brooch c1900
Price: £35
This is a intricate brooch designed with scroll work and column details. It is Scottish due to the thistle design on the east west corners. This was always included in Scottish designs as it is the national flower.
Silver plate Perfume Bottle with attached Stopper and Chain, Burmese late C19th
Price: £45
This is a large repousse decorated scent bottle cast from silver plated white metal and depicting two confronting Burmese lions between the sacred pearl on the face with a key pattern border and stylised scrolling foliage to the sides, the neck with rope work and the stopper attached by chain which comes out to reveal the scent wand. The style of representation of the lions suggests the country of origin and the piece probably dates to the late nineteenth century. It is fitted to a very long necklace chain, probably later, creating a very wearable piece of fashion history which is both practical and decorative.
Liberty Dollar 1922 mounted as a pendant on necklace
Price: £35
This is a very interesting piece of ephemera that can be worn. It is a Liberty silver dollar encased in a filigree design. It has been "married" to a torque necklace so it really stands out at the neckline. You definitively won't see many of these around town! :)
Cranberry Glass Vase circa 1900
Price: £30
A cranberry glass (the name obviously deriving from the colour) vase the globular almost spherical body with impressed dimple effect large roundels and rising to a slender round neck with a ‘squared’ top, the flat base densely dimpled. Cranberry or 'Gold Ruby' glass is a red glass made by adding gold salts or colloidal gold to molten glass. It was produced in relatively small quantities due to the cost of the raw materials. Known from Roman times the most famous period of production was in 19th century Britain during the Victorian Era. Many pieces from that era are known with similar ‘dimple’ effects and this is clearly what we have here. The workmanship is high quality, the richly coloured glass with many interesting glaze effects (see image 4) and skilfully modelled. Perhaps just an ornament or possibly a small table decanter but either way an attractive addition to any glass collection.
Very fine Indian silver repousse plaque Necklace, c1970
Price: £85
This is a necklace comprising a large pendant of elongated hexagonal shape with a traditional Indian repousse floral design. It has a double bale each with a rosette and is marked '925'. It is combined with a long snake chain which is later.
A Mughal style Gouache Painting depicting a Dignitary and Attendants, C20th
Price: £75
A Mughal style gouache painting, the central roundel depicting a court figure scene with a dignitary seated in a pavilion surrounded by attendants, all within a walled enclosure, and the blue ground border with four further attendants, seated, with gilt foliage decoration. Gouache paint is similar to watercolour, but is modified to make it opaque. It was commonly used by Persian artists from the thirteenth century onwards. The style of painting here, though, suggests a dating to the C20th and Indian work in the Mughal Court style which was derived from Persian artists. The frame is modern.
Japanese Fukagawa Imari Vase of Sake Bottle Form circa 1880
Price: £180
A fine quality Japanese Imari Vase of Sake bottle form with a bulbous body narrowing towards a broad neck with a faintly everted rim, decorated in iron red, underglaze blue and gold with the addition of green enamel. The main body with two shaped panels of flowering chrysanthemum within underglaze blue borders on a ground of stylised flowering chrysanthemum, the shoulder with panels of lotus and stylised flower heads on an underglaze blue band, the neck with further stylised foliage below plantain leaves in iron red and underglaze blue, the rim gilt. The base with a four character mark reading Koransha Fukagawa Sei ('made by the Koransha Fukagawa [factory]'. The Fukagawa kilns produced the best quality Imari items made in Japan in the late nineteenth century for export to the West. Dating here is within the Meiji period (1868 - 1912) probably around 1880. The form is unusual and reflects Sake bottle shapes produced in a variety of mediums.
Two Scottish Tartan Plaques, C20th
Price: £35
Two round plaques mounted with tartan cloth of two different designs in reds and blues, both studded with metal bosses in imitation of a shield and both with circular gilt metal medallions at the centre depicting a thistle and a deer respectively, presumably the motifs associated with the two clan tartans. Identification here is for the true expert but these were presumably commissions from the firm whose name appears at the back, probably made in the 1970s/1980s. The ‘Targe’ was a shield used by Scottish Highlanders in the early modern period. From the late 16th century, until the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the Scottish Highlander's main means of defence in battle was his targe and the designs regularly included studding and a raised central boss. But these two plaques are items of peacetime and to be enjoyed as such!
Taxco silver bracelet, c1980
Price: £50
This is a very recognizable Taxco design with heavy ball and bar stations. It has a typical Taxco box clasp that is marked 'Mexico' 'TC-314' '925 with additional stamped smaller marks including '925'.
Art Deco Shagreen Picture Frame, 1930s
Price: £110
A rectangular picture frame, the broad border inset with strips of beige and dark grey shagreen skin laid on a wooden surround the edges with short narrow strips stained beige to match the border with graining in imitation of bone, the back stained dark brown with patterning effects designed to imitate animal skin, the central insert hinged and held with fastening clasps to reveal the glass underneath and also fitted with a hinged support.
Shagreen is a natural hide, typically from shark, stingray or dogfish, worked through special processes to produce a granular surface effect. Known in China and Japan from the earliest times and popular in Europe in the eighteenth century Shagreen enjoyed its greatest popularity in the Art Deco period where it was used as a covering for writing desks and well-dressed cabinetry and smaller items such as the picture frame we have here. The clean lines of this piece and the palette of colours employed fit exactly with the ethos of the Art Deco period and a dating to the 1930s is extremely likely. A luxury item at the time it could be used now to provide enhanced presentation of a favourite image adding to it a hint of true elegance.
Large round Scottish agate cloak pin c 1900
Price: £125
This brooch is a traditional Scottish cloak pin and would have been used on the should to hold the cloak in place. This one is a particularly nice example as it has a very intricate twisted design that includes all type of Scottish Agate such as jasper and blood stone. This brooch is unmarked which is not unusual for Scottish silver of this type.
Pair of Japanese Shaped Saucer Dishes, Maruku China, 1940s
Price: £25
A pair of fine quality porcelain saucers in the form of a leaf with a pierced handle, decorated in bright enamels with gilt dragons and flames amidst puce impressionistically represented waves, the edges gilt and the reverses plain with a painted blue mark ‘Maruku China’ beneath a crown.
The Maruku factory seems to have operated in Japan after the second world war producing modest but good quality wares for export, rather in the style of Noritake pieces. Usually their pieces are marked in addition ‘Made in Japan’ but for some reason not here. The forms, colourings and designs here are quite unusual and while modest, these are good quality decorative items suitable for a contemporary interior.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS FREE UK SHIPPING ON THIS ITEM. For international buyers the shipping cost will be reduced by the UK shipping cost, so don't worry if you are outside the UK, you still receive this benefit!
French cockerel brooch 1920s
Price: £75
This is a very striking large brooch in hand worked brass with enamelled feathers, head and feet. It is very cleverly made to give you the effect of many voluminous tail feathers.
A Chinese Carved Wood Figure of Budai, signed, C 19th
Price: £75
A Chinese carved wood figure of Budai shown lying on a lotus leaf. He is depicted in a typically corpulent pose as a stout, smiling man in robes with a largely bare belly, which represents happiness, good luck, and plenty. In his left hand he holds a stylised object which is probably intended to represent the 'sack of plenty' which he is seen with so often and in his right hand is a round ball either representing a pearl (symbolising health and beauty) or a gold nugget (symbolising financial happiness). There is detailed carving to his robes and the lotus leaf is lightly incised with foliage underneath. In addition there is a small signature plaque with indistinct characters. The size and form suggests that this is a 'handling' figure intended for devotional purposes and the style of decoration indicates a circa date in the late nineteenth century.
Japanese red lacquer Box and Cover with inset bone plaque, late C19th
Price: £75
A Japanese lacquer box and cover, the base and lid decorated with a design of massed peony and chrysanthemum heads in red lacquer and the lid inset with an irregularly shaped carved and coloured bone plaque depicting a garden terrace scene with peony, a butterfly and rocks, within an irregularly shaped, diaper design brown lacquer border. The interior with a contemporary paper lining. The style of the lacquer work, slightly less deeply cut and a darker colour, the decorative elements used, with an emphasis on chrysanthemum, and the employment of bone decoration suggest here Japanese, rather than Chinese, work made for export and the paper lining of the interior, not often found in Chinese lacquer boxes, conforms with this. Dating is probably to the end of the nineteenth century and the combination of materials used is rather unusual making this an accessory both decorative and functional.
Set of Three Celluloid Figures of Monks, Japanese, first half C20th
Price: £45
This is an amusing group of three Japanese celluloid figures representing young boys dressed as monks. Each wears a patterned coat with complementary trousers and boots, the coloured details carefully picked out. Their poses resemble those of the celebrated three wise monkeys ‘see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil’ which is a humorous combination with their apparently spiritual role. Celluloid, often known as the first plastic, was used for the manufacture of accessories and collectibles from the late nineteenth century to the 1940s and can be regarded as a cheaper alternative to bone or ivory. The Japanese produced many pieces in the material, other examples of which can be seen elsewhere on this site, but this small group, probably dating to the 1930s, is a particularly charming example.
LOT 8
Geode form Murano dimpled sommerso glass bowl, Galliano Ferro, mid C20th
Estimate: £40 – 60
7d 20h 31m
£0.00
Chinese Soapstone Seal with Shou Lao, C20th
Price: £45
A Chinese soapstone seal of cylindrical tubular form with the figure of Shou Lao on a pedestal, the base with incised script characters. Soapstone was first used by the Chinese over three thousand years ago but began its popularity in the Ming dynasty (1368 -1644) with the height of production during the ensuing Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911) and then beyond into the twentieth century. The style of carving here, fairly coarse and lacking in detail, suggests fairly late work but is expressive, nevertheless. The figure represented is the famous god of immortality, Shou Lao. As often he is represented as an old man with a long beard, a high forehead and a bald head, carrying a peach (which represents immortality) and a staff. The pedestal is decorated with an incised stylised landscape scene and to the reverse is a circular panel containing the character ‘shou’ which means longevity. The seal characters, which unfortunately cannot be translated but probably represent the name of the owner, are stained with the red ink which would have been used when the seal was stamped.
Kiralpo ware Dressing Table Set, marked, 1930s
Price: £35
This is a dressing table or vanity ware set comprising a tray with a ring holder and two jars for cosmetics all decorated with similar designs of birds and flowers within blurred edge pink borders, the glaze with a slight craquelure. Most likely there would have been in addition a pair of candlesticks. The tray has a gilt mark comprising a circle surmounted by a crown with the words ‘KIRALPO WARE’ ‘ENGLAND’ between two dots and within this a shield device with the letters ‘K&Co’ ‘E’.
Kiralpo ware was one of the trade names used by Kirkland and Co, earthenware and ceramic manufacturers based at the Albion Pottery, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, England who traded from 1891 to 1938 when the business was bought and renamed by Mr A.E.Gray. The format of the mark gives a dating between 1928 and 1938 with ‘E’ standing for Etruria. Kirkland and Co made various modest but colourful decorative items to furnish the home. In a 1907 guide they are described as ‘general earthenware, fancy goods, and majolica manufacturers’. Their designs were not sophisticated but obviously had a popular appeal and this set with its bold transfer decoration of birds set within a rather vivid pink border is typical of their work.
Silver metal Perfume Bottle Necklace, probably Indian early C20th
Price: £55
A silver metal perfume bottle and attached stopper, the body spherical with a short cylindrical neck, the whole elaborately cast with bead work below and repeating fleur de lis above underneath repeating raised bosses, the neck with rope twist work and the stopper with beading. The stopper is attached by a short chain and the bottle itself has two lugs which attach it to the necklace chain. Many of the motifs here suggest Indian work, probably from the 1920s and made for the local market.
Victorian Whitby jet mourning brooch
Price: £75
This is a quite large brooch in a scroll work design and Greek key edging. It is Whitby jet a fossilised wood stone that is from the Jurassic period that is found in the North York moors in northern England. Whitby jet was the main material for mourning jewellery during the Victorian age for obvious reasons.
African rosewood sculpture of a seated musician c. 1960
Price: £75
A rosewood figure of a seated musician playing a wind instrument, carved in a semi abstract style and with elongated proportions, the surface highly polished and showing in places the variegated patina of the wood. The style suggests African work similar to the pair of Makonde style figures also included in this sale but while similar pieces can be found there are no direct parallels. But the composition is striking and the quality of the wood enhances the carver’s skill. Dating to the second half of the C20th seems likely, perhaps to the 1960s.
Set of Four Chinese Plates, Beauties of the Red Mansion, Jingdezhen, 1980s
Price: £75
This is a partial set of four plates from a series comprising twelve plates in all, produced by ‘Imperial Jingdezhen Porcelain’ and titled ‘Beauties of the Red Mansion’. The plates were designed by the master artisan Zhao Huimin and depict characters from the famous Chinese romance novel ‘The Dream of the Red Chamber’ or ‘The Story of the Stone’ written by Cao Xueqin during the Qing Dynasty. Each plate depicts one of the court lady characters which appear in the work (Pao-chai, Yuan-chun, Hsi-feng, Hsi-chun, Mao-yu, Ying-chun, Tai-yu, Li-wan, Ko-ching, Hsiang-yun, Tan-chun, Chiao-chieh), all renowned not only for their physical beauty but also for their complex personalities and roles in the narrative of the novel. They are shown in a variety of settings, some in ornate interiors and others in landscape scenes. Each plate has an elaborate inscription on the back, doubtless describing the figure depicted on the front. There is also the factory name and the date of production - here 1985, 1986 (twice) and 1987. While the work is detailed it is not hand done but seems to have been produced by some form of printing process. The ‘micro dot’ detail of this can be seen in some of the images. Originally in boxes with a descriptive leaflet, these plates are now found singly, in part sets and occasionally as a complete series. This selection can provide an ensemble in itself or the source for additions to a growing collection.
Please note that the stands are for display purposes only.
Papier Mâché Tray with Millefiori Decoration, Kashmir, C20th
Price: £55
A Papier Mâché Tray of octagonal form with rounded indented corners profusely decorated in rich and detailed colourings with small floral blooms, the ‘millefiori’ (thousand flower) pattern, a central roundel and four hemisphere panels at the corners all set on an orange ground, the border with bands of floral spray and repeating geometric design in gilt, the reverse plain showing the black lacquer ground. Trays and boxes in this distinctive style were made in Kashmir in India and some carry the label for Srinagar, a city famous for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts like the Kashmir shawl, papier mâché, wood carving, carpet weaving, and jewel making, which is most likely the place where this tray was made, probably in the 1920s. It is a superb example of the type with exquisite detail in the decoration and a strikingly attractive use of colour.
Native American turquoise cuff bracelet, 1960s
Price: £225
This bracelet comes from the US although it is not certain which maker. It has the look of a Navajo design which would be from the South West in Arizona or New Mexico. It has two very large natural shaped turquoise stones with a greenish hue and a strong matrix. It is marked 925 inside and then 925A1 and L79 on the outside of the cuff.
Oil Painting of a landscape scene with trees, framed, C20th
Price: £45
An oil painting on hardboard in impressionistic style of a landscape scene with trees, a field in the foreground and a river bank in the distance, signed, but illegibly in the bottom right corner. Doubtless the work of an amateur artist this presents an attractive scene employing the techniques of the ‘impressionist’ masters and rather more affordable than their work. The frame is simple but complementary. The use of hardboard suggests a dating to the 1950s or 1960s when that material was particularly in vogue. On the back can be made out the letters 'RICHARDSON' 'NO PIC' 'G' and the signature at the front may well be read as 'Richardson'. Many artists by that name are known but while this picture cannot be atrributed to any of them, the painter was clearly accomplished.
Art Deco continental black spinel and marcasite ring, 1920s
Price: £35
This is a beautiful ring comprising a rectangular slice of black spinel surrounded by architectural silver work and marcasite stones. Marked 925 Silver
Exceptional Paste necklace 1940s
Price: £25
This a very delicate and bright paste necklace with seven floral stations interspersed with single stones. Set in brass with barrel clasp.
Korean Najeonchilgi lacquerware jewellery Box, C20th
Price: £25
This is an example of Korean lacquerware known as ‘Najeonchilgi’. The technique, derived from both China and Japan, involves the inlay of shellfish derived small pieces onto a lacquerware base. ‘Najeon’ means ‘mother of pearl’ and ‘chilgi’ lacquerware. These wares were produced quite early on in Korea’s history with a ‘golden era’ during the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) but continued to be made until quite recent times. This box, then, made in the late C20th, comes at the end of a long run of a traditional manufacturing process but retains some of the hallmarks of its predecessors. The shape is rectangular with a bowed front, the hinges and clasp fastening in polished metal and the interior lined in red fabric with a mirror fitted to the underside of the lid. The highly polished black lacquer surface is inlaid with mother of pearl decoration, flowers to the front and a moonlit scene of storks to the lid, symbolising long life. Highly decorative in itself, this box is also extremely practical as storage item for a small jewellery collection and would be an elegant addition to the dressing table.
Georgian small glass scent bottle in a fitted Etui case circa 1800
Price: £45
This is a rare small glass scent bottle that comes in a fitted etui case perfect for a gentleman's pocket. The moulded glass is finely fluted on both the body and top.
Victorian Bronze Chamber Candlestick in the form of a Griffin, late C19th
Price: £40
This is a very striking bronze chamber stick in the form of a griffin with fine detail to the casting of the face and feathers. The griffin is a well known legendary creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. Griffins were known as the guardians of treasures and priceless possessions even in Classical antiquity and were to become familiar elements of heraldry. The choice of this creature as the suppport for a candlestick (the form suggests a chamvber candlestick) cannot be easily explained. Does the griffin here protect its owner in some way? Whatever the answer the result is a striking decorative ensemble which could enhance many a domestic interior.
Art Deco style Glass Box and Cover decorated with a dancing Ballerina, mid C20th
Price: £35
An opaque cream coloured circular glass box and cover, the bulbous body with high domed lid which is decorated with a dark grisaille dancing ballerina poised on one leg with grass below and hanging willow above within a yellow scalloped border which is repeated on the base. The style of decoration clearly suggests the 1930s and this piece probably dates to that era although there is no certain proof of this. Presumably a powder box it retains great charm and could well find a home in a contemporary setting.
Druzy Quartz and Onyx panel Bracelet, c1940
Price: £125
This is a very unusual and large bracelet comprising stations of black onyx together with fine druzy quartz. The panels are graduated with an integrated clasp. It is unmarked but probably of Scottish origin.
Japanese Gouache Painting of Flowering Lotus, signed and framed, C20th
Price: £45
A Japanese Gouache painting in tones of green and blue of flowering lotus and reeds with a butterfly hovering above, inscribed to the left with a two character signature in black and a seal mark in red. While the artist of this piece cannot be identified his skill is self evident in both the overall composition and its execution. The fine white and yellow detail on the lotus leaves is striking and the depiction of the butterfly vivid with life. Executed on a circular panel, perhaps originally from a screen, the painting has been sympathetically framed in an octagonal format, with a dark blue mount into which it is inset. The combination presents an object of obvious decorative appeal both to a specialist and to a general collector.
Celluloid Bangle with Tortoiseshell style decoration circa 1930
Price: £20
This is an unusual bangle made from celluloid which was used from the late nineteenth century onwards as an imitation of more expensive materials such as ivory or tortoiseshell. It was, therefore, the earliest form of plastic and was to be replaced in the 1920s and 1930s by bakelite. This piece has quite stout proportions and utilises a more complex form than the standard circular ring bangle, with two concave bands between a central ridge. The tortoiseshell style decoration displays considerable and pleasing variegation with an attractive selection of colours in close imitation of the original.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS FREE UK SHIPPING ON THIS ITEM. For international buyers the shipping cost will be reduced by the UK shipping cost, so don't worry if you are outside the UK, you still receive this benefit!
Art Deco chalcedony brooch or pendant
Price: £65
This is a lovely and delicate brooch with bail for a pendant. It is set in silver that has a modern floral design is both polished and textured giving it a very fine and detailed look. The stone is a Scottish chalcedony stone. Marked 925
Striking 1950s applique summer handbag
Price: £65
This bag is made for spring and summer! It is a large bucket style bag trimmed in faux leather. The body of the bag is a sort of faux hessian finish. It is appliques on the front with a butterfly design in rhinestones, crystals and ribbon work. It is lined in Naugahyde and has a wooden base.
Long Art Deco pinchbeck watch chain with two pendants
Price: £65
This is a gorgeous long watch chain in a very usual star box link. Attached to the chain is a banded carnelian locket and a rock crystal cross. These are removable and are not original to the chain although they are from the same period.
Art Deco Burmese dragon head Necklace, 1920s
Price: £75
This is a stunning and large necklace comprising a bold dragon head pendant formed from moulded brass with filigree work mounted with enamel to simulate stones. It comes attached to the original brass link necklace. This is a real show stopper!
Art Nouveau Bronze Tray, stamped 172 Deposé, French c1900
Price: £95
Typical of the style of the Art Nouveau era with its emphasis on organic forms, this bronze tray, perhaps intended for serving salad, is of lobed rectangular form with two handles in the form of lotus branches. Deeply and intricately cast there is a lotus spray at the top which complements the handles at the side and both are set on a wavy line ground with milled detail, perhaps intended to represent water. The underside has four small feet and is decorated with minute punch work dots. There is also a stamped mark ‘172 Deposé’ which occurs on other examples of this design. For devotees of Art Nouveau this would be a classic acquisition of an object which is truly representative if not archetypal.
Vintage Wicker and Plastic Woven Basket with Handles, probably mid C20th
Price: £45
A highly attractive woven basket with a lid and handles, the composition combining both wicker and plastic twine in an attractive combination of textures and colours, the base, the edges of the top and lid and the loop handles finished in wicker and the main body mainly in plastic. There is also a simple plastic twine fastening to keep the cover closed. By repute purchased in France, it is extremely hard to assign a country of origin to this piece, but the use of woven plastic suggests a dating to the 1950s, a time when the well known 'Lloyd Loom' items enjoyed great popularity. The condition of this basket is excellent and it is quite sturdy so could be an eye catching accompaniment to a summer excursion!
Murano White Glass Vase of abstract organic form, 1960s
Price: £55
A white glass vase of abstract organic form with wavy edge sides and openwork panels, the edges finished in clear glass, the interior with a slightly blue finish at the bottom and the base clear glass and flat. While there is no direct comparison, very similar pieces were made by the well known Murano factory in Venice and some of them carry its name on an affixed paper label. Murano experimented with many abstract organic shapes and, as with other pieces, dating here seems to be to the mid twentieth century. This piece certainly has a feel of the 1960s and given the complexity of the design, it is remarkable that it has survived unscathed.
Pair of Capodimonte ceramic Wall Hanging Plaques, boy and girl praying, Italian 1960s
Price: £25
This is a charming pair of small ceramic wall plaques, the biscuit porcelain with a slight ivory tint, with moulded designs of a boy and a girl praying, their hair and robes carefully detailed, set in velvet covered oval frames with cording at the edge which also forms the loop hangers at the top. Near identical pieces often have a paper mark at the back reading ‘Porcellane Capodimonte’ ‘Made in Italy’ surrounding a crown device with an ‘N’ above. Capodimonte porcelain was first made at Naples, Italy, in the mid eighteenth century and was often marked with an ‘N’ and a crown above. The original factory was to enjoy a relatively short life but there were many imitators in the nineteenth century and beyond to the twentieth who freely used the Capodimonte name. This pair of plaques is a very modest and fairly recent (probably dating to the 1960s) example of these ‘Capodimonte’ wares but nonetheless have a distinct appeal of their own.
Pair of Lovatt and Lovatt Earthenware Vases, early C20th
Price: £95
A pair of earthenware vases of broad conical ovoid form, with narrow concave necks and a slightly flaring rim, the bodies decorated with stylised floral arabesques on a cream ‘threaded’ ground, the necks and interior rim in blue and the bases unglazed with impressed marks ‘Lovatt’, ‘Langley Mill’, ‘England’, ‘13’ and impressed numbers ‘2061’ with ‘LEADLESS GLAZE’ slightly below.
The Langley Mill Pottery was located in Langley Mill, Derbyshire on the Derbyshire – Nottinghamshire border. From its establishment in 1865 to its final closure in 1982, it went through five distinct periods of ownership, producing a wide range of stoneware ranging from utilitarian items and to high quality art pottery. This pair of vases dates from the third company that traded there, Lovatt and Lovatt. The Lovatt family had entered into partnership with the owner of the founding business at Langley Mill, James Calvert. From 1895 the business was in sole control of the Lovatt family and traded as ‘Lovatt and Lovatt’ until 1935. The early years of the twentieth century proved to be something of a zenith for them and a wide range of art pottery pieces were made which enjoyed great popularity. Production techniques were streamlined without a reduction in quality and in 1905, leadless glazes were introduced. These are proudly announced on the base of this pair of vases which are a fine example of the Lovatt and Lovatt style and probably date to 1913, indicated by the impressed numbers for that year.
Victorian Egyptian Revival motif necklace with red stones c1900
Price: £85
This is an unusual statement necklace designed in the Victorian era.. These designs were due to the The Egyptian Pavilion at the Exposition Universelle of 1900 in Paris. This world's fair was extremely popular and it was global news. These designs have more of a European look to them. It wasn't until the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922 that the iconography. became more accurate. This necklace is mounted with red glass stones and is the necklace also had red glass beads and diamante roundels.
Very unusual Taxco figural ring, Taxco, c1980
Price: £45
This is an interesting ring designed as a naked figure crouching down. Seen from the back it has two eyes and a mouth on the opposite side. It is marked 'Mex 925' and 'TM-5' for Taxco.
Incredible long jade necklace with large carnelian pendant
Price: £135
This is a constructed necklace comprising numerous large celadon colour beads interspersed with different coloured jade beads. There is a ox carving at one of the stations and it ends in a large carnelian disc pendant and silk tassel. This necklace is a very long opera length.
Russian Enamel Brooch, probably Rostov Finift, mid C20th
Price: £20
This delicate brooch with its elaborate filigree work has a circular painted enamel plaque painted in greens, pinks, light brown and yellow with scrolling lotus flowers and surrounded by fine silver decoration, with scrolling rope twist strands and slender milled ribbons inset with beads. The style and composition, combining enamel and silver work, is typical of the Russian maker ‘Rostov Finift’ (‘finift’ comes from the Greek ‘fingitis’ which means ‘gleaming’) many of whose pieces can be found on the market today. The art of painting on enamel was first developed in Rostov Veliky (125 miles northwest of Moscow) in the 18th century and continued thereafter with pieces of jewellery, made by Rostov Finift and in which enamels are surrounded by elaborate filigree work, appearing in quantity after the second World War. The pieces are not signed and attribution is mainly speculative but this brooch has much in common with other pieces believed to have been made by the same factory.
Pair of Royal Doulton Spill Vases with gilt decoration, 1920s
Price: £180
A pair of pottery vases of upright spill form with wide flat bases, the body glazed in mottled blue with two bands of curved raised bead work with leaves and rosettes, the centre with an incised design of overlapping whorl pattern, gilt, the base glazed in mottled brown and the interior in mottled aubergine, the foot unglazed and with an impressed mark ‘Royal Doulton England’, a model number ‘8409’, artist’s marks ‘a’ and ‘hd’ and another script mark. The mark for Doulton is one of the standard impressed 'Royal Doulton England' marks where the lettering forms part of a circle combined with three thick lines and the centre is filled with four interlocking 'D's. The addition of a lion but not with the usual accompanying crown allows a fairly precise dating to between 1923 and 1927. This fits with the form and decoration which have an almost Art Deco feel. It seems that two different artists worked on these pieces, ‘a’ standing for Louisa Ayling and ‘hd’ for E Violet Hayward. The pattern number ‘8409’ occurs on other pieces of the same shape and but these usually have the central section left in plain biscuit. The addition of gilding here is rather striking.
Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee Jug, 1887
Price: £10
1887 marked fifty years of Queen Victoria’s reign and her Golden Jubilee was commemorated by a wide variety of gift items including this jug form with transfer decoration in ‘grisaille’ colourings. The manufacturer is not known but was presumably one of the Stafforshire potteries. The form chosen, a flat circular body with a ridged face, the handle and spout with crisp modelling and a short spreading foot below, is quite unusual and does not seem to have parallels with other commemorative wares. The Queen’s head is shown in semi profile, with her titles above and an ivy wreath, symbolising everlasting life, below. On the reverse is the imperial crown.
Two jade carvings mounted as a necklace
Price: £125
This is a very striking necklace comprising two large jade carvings that have been joined together on a very thick herringbone chain. The carvings are 20th century but they have the look of a more archaic style. This is a very interesting piece that is totally unique. It is all silver.
Caithness Glass Perfume Bottle and Stopper, late C20th
Price: £30
A perfume bottle and stopper, the broad pear shape body with a flaring neck and fitted with a ball shape stopper, the glass blown with swirling flecking effects in apricot and white and the stopper plain. The pattern and design of this perfume bottle is typical of pieces made by the Caithness glass factory in Scotland and similar pieces can be found with their label attached. The Caithness glass factory was established in 1961 at Wick, Caithness by Robin Sinclair, 2nd Viscount Thurso and soon taken over by George Mackie, Baron Mackie of Benshie in 1966 who remained its Chairman for twenty years. Set up to provide additional employment in the area, the company also was intended to exploit the availablity of sand for glassmaking in Caithness, although this did not prove suitable for the manufacture of clear glass. Paperweights became a speciality and the firm received a Royal Warrant from the Queen Mother in 1968. Twice driven into receivership in the early years of this century, it was eventually bought by Dartington Crystal in 2006 and continues the manufacture of paperweights today.
Egyptian Revival Perfume Bottle and Cover, probably Czech second half C20th
Price: £55
A perfume bottle with a screw top cover, the flattened oval glass body encased in gilt filigree work, the front with a portrait head of Tutankhamun between two falcons representing the Goddess Ra and the reverse with an oval opening revealing the interior of the bottle and the glass wand attached to the cover which is in gilt metal with a screw fitting matching the top of the bottle. The style here is obviously that of the ‘Egyptian Revival’ which became ever more fashionable after the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb by the Earl of Carnarvon and Harold Carter in 1922. Glass bottles encased in gilt filigree work are a hallmark of the Czech glassworks and while most incorporate European elements into the decoration there are other examples which are Egyptian Revival in style and so this is most likely what we have here. Dating is probably to the 1970s.
Art Deco onyx Chess Set with board and fitted box, 1930s
Price: £110
This is a very elegant chess set comprising finely carved onyx pieces which are stored in their own fitted case. The top of the case has been inlaid with onyx and agate pieces to make up a chess board. The pieces are smaller than a standard chess set which makes the fine carving even more beautiful and all have survived in excellent condition which is unusual. The perfect gift for devotees of the game!
Tigers Eye long necklace 1970s
Price: £25
This is a necklace comprising large round and octahedron shaped beads, with matching clasp
Gilt decorated English porcelain powder box and cover, probably mid C20th
Price: £15
This is a large English porcelain powder box and cover, the circular body with a shallow domed cover, the surface glazed white with elaborate gilt decoration of embossed stylised floral bands with stylised floral gilt borders above and below. The base is unmarked but the paste of the foot suggests English manufacture and the rich gilt decoration reflects that of dinner services produced by some of the well known twentieth century porcelain producers, Minton in particular.
West German Keramik Jug with drip glaze, second half C20th
Price: £45
A ceramic jug the angular body narrowing sharply to the base and short neck with a large loop handle to the side, glazed in matt black with two bands of mottled grey splash glaze. Marked ‘W.Germany’ with what is probably the form mark ‘4709’ and the size ‘18’ [cm], this piece does not have any easy parallels and another piece with the central mark of a ‘V’ in an oval frame does not seem to appear. The general style is clearly ‘West German Keramik’ but the main producers, Bay and Scheurich do not seem to have made anything similar. There are some resemblances, though, to pieces made by the firm Jasba who seem to have worked with these matt glazes and grey colours. Their pieces are marked ‘W.Germany’ with the form mark which is at least consistent with this. The cool elegance of the shape and decoration certainly make an interesting contrast with the more colourful wares produced by the West German factories after the war.
Egyptian Revival statement necklace signed EBE c1930
Price: £110
This is a beautiful necklace comprising heavy brass elements and lapis glass beads. The central pendant has the Egyptian bird god Horus flanked by Tutankhamun on a serpent scroll work background. The pendant is set with lapis glass cabochons that match the beads. Most likely Czech glass elements assembled in France.
Mexican silver dolphin bangle bracelet c1990
Price: £65
This bracelet has a fun depiction of a dolphin in the ocean with the sun and waves. It is marked Mexico 925.
A Japanese Hichozan Shinpo Brushwasher circa 1880
Price: £25
A Japanese brushwasher of squat cylindrical form with a short neck and a flat unglazed base, decorated in brightly coloured enamels with Samurai and banners. The style of painting and palette of colours resembles pieces made by the Tashiro factory in Japan, founded by Tashiro Monzaeman (1816-1900) in the late Edo period during the mid-1850s, and which were marked ‘Hichozan Shinpo’. This piece carries very feint traces of a red mark underneath which may have originally indicated the artist’s name, but even without this, the resemblance is very close and an attribution almost certain. The form suggests a brush washer, part of the scholar’s desk set.
Butler and Wilson Skull Necklace, boxed, modern
Price: £125
There is certainly a hint of the macabre in this ‘halloween’ necklace made by the well known British firm, Butler and Wilson. Founded by Nicky Butler and Simon Wilson in 1969 and initially trading from the once famous Antiquarius antiques market in Chelsea, the company is best-known for its crystal costume jewellery and their pieces have been worn by celebrities and even members of the Royal Family. The firm still trades today and their current range does include a number of skull design pieces but this necklace is around 15 years old. Silver metal and crystals are used to create five skull heads, the largest acting as a pendant with five skull drops. These are linked by a chain which terminates in a spring closure which has a circular medallion embossed with the firm’s name. The necklace comes with its original box which remains in excellent condition. Not perhaps to everyone’s taste but certainly a statement accessory!
A silver filigree decorative Spoon, probably Scottish circa 1900
Price: £55
This is a delicately worked filigree spoon with an openwork bowl in the form of a shell with stylised leaves, the slender handle of rope twist design with thistle leaf terminals at either end and finished with a thistle flower. Of a decorative rather than practical design, the use of thistles suggests that this piece is Scottish; dating is probably around 1900 or the the early Edwardian period.