Attractive carved Orange Bakelite Bloom Pendant on modern gold tone chain, British 1930s
Price: £15
The designers of carved bakelite jewellery focused mainly on bangles and brooches so this pendant necklace is less common. The orange bakelite has been carefully carved to resemble a flower, probably peony, is pierced with a hole for hanging and has been fitted here with a modern gold tone chain and ring clasp producing an accessory of simple and timeless elegance.
Outstanding brown swirl Bakelite Necklace with faux cameo, French 1920s
Price: £45
This is a very rare necklace comprising matched brown swirl squared tubular Bakelite stations alternating with stations of facetted French jet glass beads all linked by white metal rings with a central oval shield shape studded openwork pendant mounted with a celluloid cameo of a neoclassical style helmeted warrior, possibly Paris, and with a diamond shape drop. This piece combines the angular simplicity of the Art Deco style, in particular the squared tubular bars, with classicising elements, most obviously the faux cameo portrait head. The juxtaposition is most unusual producing a striking decorative accessory.
Novelty match holder with cat, Klimax Japan, mid C20th
Price: £20
This is a novelty ceramic match holder made in the form of a cat, colourfully dressed with a slightly puzzled expression, holding a vase to contain the matches. The base is stamped in orange ‘Klimax’ ‘Hand painted’ ‘Foreign’. Little seems to be known of the firm, but they produced modest, hand painted decorative ceramics before and after the second world war for the export market. Their work is often similar to Noritake or very late Kutani pieces and concentrates on tableware and vases. These march holders seem much less common. The word ‘foreign’ was used by Japanese manufacturers when there was a feeling that the true country of origin should not be advertised. It was more common before the war but used sometimes afterwards, so a dating here to the 1940s or 1950s is the most likely. Not the most sophisticated ceramic item, but certainly an amusing one!
Japanese silver souvenir brooch c1950
Price: £18
This is a fun brooch that depicts a Japanese genre scene. It is repousse silver and is unmarked.
Pair of Royal Dux Secessionist Style Vases, 1930s
Price: £250
A pair of ceramic vases of semi organic form, the body tapering towards the long slightly flaring neck and the sides with four applied loop handles, decorated with stylized floral designs on a grey/beige mottled ground, the base glazed and with a transfer mark of an acorn in a triangle with the letters ‘D’ ‘P’ ‘M’ and impressed numbers ‘11330’.
These vases form part of a group of ceramic items manufactured by a wide number of factories in the early C20th, including Mintons of England, and heavily influenced by the ‘Secessionist’ movement, in which contemporary artists deliberately broke away from traditional styles, which began in Austria in the late nineteenth century and soon spread to Germany and France. The organic forms of the Art Nouveau movement were a strong influence and can be seen here.
Duxer Porzellanmanufaktur, or the Dux Porcelain Manufactory, was started in 1860 by Eduard Eichler in what was then Duchov, Bohemia, later to become part of Czechoslovakia. Production continued until the beginning of the second world war and beyond. The factory started to imitate designs by Copenhagen, Worcester and Sevrés and their pieces achieved great popularity culminating in the company being rewarded with the Grand Prix prize at the world exhibition in St. Louis in 1904. Their output is now now generally referred to by the abbreviated name, ‘Royal Dux’. Some of their pieces were made in the ‘Secessionist’ style, with emphasis on organic forms, as here. There is a wide variety of Royal Dux marks and the one on these vases, an acorn in a triangle (the letters ‘D’, ‘P’, ‘M’ standing for “Duxer Porzellan-Manufaktur”) , indicates a dating after 1918 suggesting that they were made in the 1920s or 1930s but almost certainly before the beginning of the second world war.
Pair of Japanese Arita small Dishes circa 1880
Price: £40
A pair of small dishes of typical shallow saucer form decorated in underglaze blue with polychrome enamels, the centre with a roundel of a chrysanthemum flower with black petals which is surrounded by four irregularly shaped panels, two also with chrysanthemum and two with trailing willow, all with black leaves, alternating with abstract organic designs incorporating ‘ju’i’ lappets, the reverse plain with two concentric circles in underglaze blue next to the foot rim.
The town of Arita in the former Hizen Province, northwestern Kyūshū island, was a major centre for the production of porcelains in Japan. Best known for blue and white pieces it also produced polychrome wares as well, including the familiar imari colourings. While similar to Imari, the wider palette of colours used here is usually termed ‘Arita’ and the decorative appeal of the style is clear. These bowls probably come from an original set of five and with slightly coarser decoration than usual were probably made for the domestic market. The paste of the foot implies a dating to the Meiji era (1868 - 1912) probably around 1880.
Long Art Nouveau necklace with multiple drops c1930
Price: £75
This is a very elegant long necklace that has central pendant suspended from a web of glass beads with two corresponding plaques on the sides. It has brass and glass elements with no clasp as it is an over the head design.
Cherry amber Bakelite necklace, Germany 1920s
Price: £150
This is a very beautiful necklace comprising graduated bright and clear facetted cherry amber Bakelite beads, strung with braided and knotted orange thread and with a spring ring clasp. These necklaces are quite rare and the clear red colour here, enriched by the faceting, is one of the most desirable.
Long Art Deco carnelian, bloodstone and goldstone necklace 1930s
Price: £95
Wow where to start with this necklace. It is a very long opera length that is constructed with numerous stations using brass findings and glass bugle beads. The stations are carved carnelian panels and beads with bloodstone panels that have been mounted with goldstone to create duplets that can be worn on either side. It ends in a large pendant that is bloodstone and goldstone with carnelian drops. The stones are definitely of Scottish origin so the necklace is either Scottish or English.
Goldstone is a type of glittering glass made in a low-oxygen reducing atmosphere. The finished product can take a smooth polish and be carved into beads, figurines, or other artifacts suitable for semiprecious stone, and in fact goldstone is often mistaken for or misrepresented as a natural material. It was first made in the 17th century in Italy. (Credit: Wikipedia)
Rennie Mackintosh silver scarf ring with scarf included, c1990
Price: £45
This is a very elegant scarf ring that bears the designs of Rennie Mackintosh. It is hallmarked with the mark of Mackintosh's estate copyright. It i also marked 925. The black and white silk scarf is included so you are ready to go!
Striking Bakelite buckle in the shape of an airplane, American 1930s
Price: £45
This is an incredible buckle in ivory white Bakelite in the shape of an airplane that spreads open at the wings, with impressed carved circle decoration on the wings and tail and metal fitments to the reverse for securing the belt and fastening the buckle. The airplane is one of the classic decorative objects of the Art Deco period, featuring prominently both in the round, often as a desk ornament, and in graphic design. But buckles in the form are unusual and we are fortunate to be able to include two examples in this auction!
Trade+Aid Teapot, Van Gogh Café Scene, UK 1990s
Price: £25
This is an amusing enamel teapot, the rectangular body curving in towards the lid and with a loop handle and spout. It is brightly decorated in coloured enamels with a Parisian Café scene after the painting by Van Goch whose first name can be seen on one of the sides. The original is in the Kröller-Müller Museum Otterlo, Netherlands (see image 7). The base of the teapot is marked ‘Trade+Aid’ ‘No.158.UK’ and it comes from a range of teapots produced for ‘Charlotte di Vita Collections’ under the trading name ‘Trade+Aid’. These were hand crafted items using traditional techniques whose sale benefited charitable projects and initiatives worldwide. The various designs were usually limited editions and some are quite collectible today
2 1950s floral brooches
Price: £10
This is a lot of two similar floral brooches set with green and blue stones
LOT 5
Fine Quality Japanese Plate decorated Carp, signed, early C20th
Estimate: £20 – 30
3d 21h 40m
£15.00
Early Egyptian Revival necklace with ruby glass stones c1900
Price: £175
This is a very rare necklace that has an intricate design with Egyptian motifs throughout. There are ruby glass stations that culminate into a multi strand design ending in a large pendant with Tutankhamun flanked by two large ruby paste glass stones. It is most likely French or Belgian.
Gilt brass and glass stone bangle bracelet 1930s
Price: £15
This is a stunning costume bracelet comprising an ornately designed central raised part that has been attached to a simple brass bracelet It has the original green glass stones and is in immaculate condition. Probably French or Austrian.
Primitive studio pottery Flask and Cover, signed, possibly Allison Weightman, C20th
Price: £45
This is a primitive, almost rustic, stoneware flask and cover the body of rounded flattened ovoid form with a short neck and the stopper of an ill defined shape with notching at the top, matt glazed in browns and mustard with scratch pattern decoration and three irregular bands of splash glaze at the shoulder centre and base in blues, greens and browns, the glaze at the bottom dripping over onto the unglazed base and with an impressed mark. The mark seems to resemble that of the potter Allison Weightman (born 1963; see image 11) who specialises in decorative wares in raku, stoneware and porcelain and also sculptural wall pieces, for which this might have been a test piece since nothing else like it seems to be on the market at the moment. The illustration of her mark, which apparently depicts impressed sheep vertebrae at ‘British Studio Potters’ Marks’ by Eric Yates-Owen and Robert Fournier (2nd edition 2005 p526) is very similar to what we have here (see image 10) and while apparently ‘one off’ this flask is consistent with other pieces by her which have been described as follows ‘Allison creates hand-built vessels and forms that relate to her love of the natural environment. The rich depths to her glazes are achieved through her development of multi-layering and multi-firing the work she produces.’ (Edinburgh Design School website).
Tibetan amulet necklace featuring Buddhist deity c1900
Price: £25
This is very interesting necklace that comprises a very large amulet or talisman in a flower shape, which is built up in steps and features a figure holding a sword. It is made from brass, that would have had bright gilding in its time. It is mounted with garnets and enamel work. There are some stones that appear to be turquoise and coral although these might be enamel. There is also an embossed lotus flower on the back.
The chain on this necklace is quite short for it to fit over a modern head so it would probably need a clasp in addition.
A Pair of African Carved Wood Figure Head Plaques, C20th
Price: £45
A pair of carved wood plaques depicting the heads of a man and a woman and carved in a semi abstract style with black coloured detailing to the hair and facial features and marked ‘O’ ‘B’ to the reverse. The style of these and other similar pieces suggests African work but the provenance is uncertain. Both Senegal and Ghana are sometimes mentioned. These are certainly striking examples and probably date to the late C20th.
A green glass paperweight, Tweedsmuir Glass, Chris Dodds, late C20th
Price: £25
A green glass paperweight, stoutly blown with a clear glass bubble above a green rock like formation with small bubbles perhaps intended to represent some form of marine surface, of round shallow form, a paper label to the base reading 'Tweedsmuir Glass' 'Handmade in Scotland' with a printed signature 'Chris Dodds'. Tweedsmuir is a village in the Scottish borders and Chris Doddds set up a factory there in 1993. Before that time he worked for Selkirk Glass and afterwards at Heron Glass in Cumbria. By 2008 he was reported to be in poor health and not working any more. He seems to have concentrated on pieces with a naturalistic style, as here. This paperweight is heavy and therefore practical; it also handles well.
It is sold with a matching contemporary illuminated stand which enhance the decorative effect considerably and provides a modest light display installation for the home (see image 6).
Pair of Silver Filigree Bonbonnieres, probably continental circa 1900
Price: £110
A pair of bowls formed from minute and delicate silver filigree work, the shallow incurving sides with a deeply scalloped rim above an openwork foot with plain sides, the decoration in the from of leaves, perhaps those of a cabbage plant, with elaborate silver thread detail. The workmanship here is obvious but the provenance of these pieces less so. Silver filigree pieces were made in both Russia and China but there is little resemblance to those here. A much closer parallel lies in Portuguese work and there is one very similar bowl known to have belonged to one Charles William de la Poer Beresford, an Admiral and Member of Parliament who died in 1919. If there is a connection here, then this pair of bowls most likely date to the early years of the twentieth century.
Art Deco necklace with blue paste stones 1930s
Price: £45
This is a very elegant and simple necklace where the central stone is the star. It has blue glass bead stations ending in a large round pendant and briolette drop. It has a barrel clasp. The mount is gilt brass.
Silver Lapis lazuli collar necklace, probably Taxco Mexico, c1990
Price: £65
This is a Mexican silver designer necklace comprising small stations with inset lapis ending in a large central station with three sections. It is marked 950 and although it does not have a makers' mark or country stamp it is highly likely that this is from Mexico, most probably from the Taxco region, due to the design and general quality of the piece.
Small Chinese Bronze Vase of Ku Form with Elephant Head Handles, Qing Dynasty circa 1800
Price: £75
Chinese Bronze Vase of Ku Form with typical spreading foot, bulbous body and wide flaring neck and rim, set at the side with a pair of elephant head handles. The base decorated with a circling dragon, the body with two panels of peony, rocks and butterflies, the neck with repeating stylised plantain leaves with stylised floral decoration in an 'archaistic' style and the top rim with a band of repeating geometric designs. Note in particular the detail of the casting of the elephant heads and the dragon's head. This, combined with the quality of the bronze which has excellent weight and patina, suggests a circa date at least towards the middle of the Qing dynasty (1644-1912) if not perhaps before. The piece was probably conceived as part of a miniature altar set and was possibly intended as an incense burner.
LOT 22
Indian carved wood Box with miniature Plaques, second half C19th
Estimate: £100 – 150
3d 22h 14m
£0.00
French Art Deco Clutch bag with faux jade insert
Price: £65
This is a very elegant small bag that features a faux jade moulded glass plaque surrounded by Art Deco motif paste stones. It comprises very soft kid suede and is lined in taffeta with the typical inside purse. The taffeta on this bag is quite degraded as can happen. This is not noticeable on the exterior so this bag is very usable. It has two chain handles.
Massive pearl and mother of pearl necklace and earrings 1970s
Price: £95
This is a totally unique necklace and earrings comprising cultured pearls set with large curtain of smaller pearls and mother of pearl geometric shapes with corresponding earrings. This is exclusively pears and mother of pearl, there are no other materials aside from the mirco beads, clasp and earring hooks. The work that went into this is astounding! This is not for a wall flower but if you like to get noticed try this one! :)
Two Victorian Cranberry Glass Bowls, late C19th
Price: £75
Two cranberry glass bowls with wavy edge rims, a band of clear glass shells to the middle and clear glass ‘shell’ feet. Cranberry glass (the name obviously deriving from the colour) 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 and pieces in the colourings can be found in a wide variety of forms. Many of the makers must remain anonymous but there is one known for making pieces with ‘threading’ effects (bands of fine moulded lines), Stevens and Williams. Since they made bowls in a similar shape with this ‘threading’ effect (and also the ‘shell’ feet) they may be the manufacturers of these two bowls, but this must remain supposition. But whatever the provenance these two pieces, which remain in excellent condition, are excellent examples of a style once so popular.
Pink Alabaster Box and Cover, Italy late c20th
Price: £25
An attractive box and cover of circular form made from pink alabaster, each section mounted in gilt metal and attached by a hinge, the lid with a finely detailed design of flowering lotus. Italy is a prime source for alabaster and many similar boxes have a sticker on the base saying ‘Made in Italy’ giving us the country of origin here. Dating is probably to the 1980s/1990s.
Chinese Bronze Mounted Emerald Green Jade pendant, Qing dynasty
Price: £180
A Chinese bronze mounted Emerald Green Jade pendant, the jade plaque in the form of a stylised vase with a crimped top and a scalloped base, bevelled at the edge and of an intense emerald green colour with typical mottling to the stone, the heavy bronze mount with a flat back and following the shape of the stone, with two modelled ju'i lappet like form panels at the top with stylised scrolling foliage, the centre pierced for hanging.
It has been suggested that the form of the stone indicates it was intended as a handling token, some sort of a 'pass key', but this may well be apocryphal, although it does indeed sit comfortably when gripped. But the decorative qualities of this piece are clear and the maker clearly saw that this was a stone to be exploited and displayed. A contemporary wearer now would certainly attract attention! The weight and quality of the bronze suggest a reasonably early dating, perhaps to the late eighteenth century.
Victorian leather bound photo album made by Mechi and Bazin c.1870
Price: £110
This is an incredible photo album comprising a finely tooled green leather cover and gilt edged pages that have inserts for the photos. It is made by Mechi and Bazin, a well respected manufacturer based on Regent Street in central London and mainly known for their campaign fitted toiletry boxes and writing slopes. This album is quite petite so it was most likely also meant for travel. It holds 23 beautiful Victorian photographs : mainly portraits with a few outdoor views.The album Is marked 'Mechi & Bazin Makers London' on front cover.
Very unusual banded carnelian panel bracelet
Price: £45
This is a very striking bracelet comprising six large banded carnelian panels interspersed with carnelian beads on typical stretch elastic. This is especially beautiful because the stones have natural inclusions. The origin of this bracelet is not clear. Could be Scottish or possibly Chinese.
Blue Millefiore beads c1950
Price: £65
This a beautiful necklace comprising graduated beads that are the rare blue colour millefiore glass. These tended to be Venetian glass. They have the original barrel clasp and should probably be restrung.
Set of 6 Peking glass shirt studs in fitted box
Price: £45
This is an unusual set of studs comprising Peking glass with brass fittings in fitted box.
LOT 8
Japanese white metal Tobacco Box, Liner and Cover, mark to the base, Early C20th
Estimate: £20 – 30
3d 21h 46m
£0.00
Faux pearl necklace c1910
Price: £15
This is a lovely necklace that features very lustrous faux pearls in natural shapes. The central pendant is a massive 25 mm faux pearl.
Pair of Japanese Noritake Vases, early C20th
Price: £35
A pair of Japanese Vases of flattened baluster form with short necks and feet and applied loop handles to the sides, the bodies decorated in a salmon pink glaze with a central panel of flowers (chrysanthemum, lotus and plum blossom) surrounded by a wavy edge gilt border, a green border to the top, gilding to the handles and a gilt rim to the base, the foot with a Noritake mark in underglaze blue.
The Noritake compnay was set up by the Morimura family at Noritake near Nagoya in the early twentieth century. Called at first 'Nippon Toki Kaisha Ltd' on its founding in 1904, the business soon changed its name to 'Noritake' and began the manufacture of porcelains for the domestic and export markets. The mark seen here is interesting. It comprises a 'Komaru' symbol, crowned with "Noritake" and with the mark 'Made In Japan'. The centre symbol said to be taken from the Japanese character "Komaru", meaning "overcoming difficulties". According to the Noritake company tradition this mark was designed when contact with the different culture of the west early in the 20th century caused problems of adaptation. It is also known as the 'tree crest mark' which is the clan crest of the Morimura family. This mark is said to have been registered in London for the UK market by 1908. The curled up ends of the Komaru symbol seen here distinguish this mark from later versions and allow a dating of this piece to the early twentieth century.
Noritake porcelain became synonymous with finely potted tea and breakfast services made in great quantities for export. These vases are a rather more unusual production and show the factory capable of producing high quality pieces with decorative potential.
Japanese Kutani Shell Shape Dish, circa 1880
Price: £55
A Japanese Kutani dish in the form of a shell with typical modelled ribbing to the front and finely decorated in iron red, sepia, grisaille and gold with three shell shape panels filled with birds
and flowers (peony and chrysanthemum) on an iron red ground with stylised gilt foliage with, in addition, roundel and part roundel shape panels with gilt floral patterns, the reverse plain
and with a two character mark 'Ku' 'Tani' to the centre.
Kutani (the word means 'nine valleys') porcelain was made at various factories in the former Kaga province of Japan. The earliest pieces were in a completely different style employing a palette of colours emphasising green, the so called 'Ko Kutani'. Production of this ceased around 1730, and manufacturing was not revived until the early nineteenth century when the more familiar colourings of iron red and gold were introduced. Many pieces were exported to the West in a variety of forms including vases and wall plates. This shell dish is more unusual; the shape is more normally found in Chinese ceramics. Perhaps one of an original pair, this dish, like its Chinese counterparts, was probably intended as a serving dish and could even be used as such today although it can well stand as a decorative item.
Pair of West German Scheurich Pottery ‘Wien’ Vases, model 269-18, mid 20th Century
Price: £45
A Pair of ceramic vases of Gourd Form with ribbed necks made by the Scheurich factory, West Germany, and designed by Heinz Siery. The pattern is known as ‘Wien’ and the drip glaze incorporates shades of cream, brown and blue on a mottled brown ground, the latter possibly in imitation of Chinese ‘tea dust’ wares. Scheurich Keramik started production in 1954, rather later than most of its competitors, but soon became the largest producer of commercial art pottery in Germany. This pair of vases was produced in the mid 20th century and both the form and decoration look towards early Chinese Ceramics. The bases have a moulded mark ‘W.Germany 269-18'
Oriental Style Vase, West German Pottery, possibly Scheurich, late C20th
Price: £45
An Oriental Style Vase, the body of baluster form with a ribbed shoulder and a slender slightly flaring neck, the bottom with a spreading foot and ridged bands, the base glazed to the centre with an unglazed foot rim, covered in a purple flambé glaze with mottled effects. While Chinese in style overall, the paste of the foot clearly indicates European manufacture and is very similar to that found on some West German pottery pieces; the brown glazing at the interior top rim reflects West German work as well. The most likely candidate is the firm Scheurich Keramik who were well known for their experimental glazes. Three other examples of their work are included in this sale. Not all of their pieces were marked and this may well be a slightly later example of their work, perhaps dating to the 1980s. Certainly it is a fine quality piece and the elegantly potted form is combined with complex glaze decoration which would not have been easy to achieve and certainly can match that of its Chinese counterparts.
Egyptian Revival filigree cuff bracelet 1930s
Price: £95
This is a very unusual statement bracelet comprising alternating filigree stations. The round stations have a central incised portrait of Nefertiti and the ingot shape stations have the typical papyrus design. The bracelet has Egyptian hallmarks indicating a dating to the 1930s.
Mikado Carlton Ware Vase, 1920s
Price: £45
Designed by Horace Wain, this Japonaiserie pattern vase is an example of the so called ‘Mikado’ range produced by Carlton Ware from the 1920s onwards. Inspired by the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta of the same name, Wain combined both Chinese and Japanese elements to produce a decorative melody of Oriental design. The form of this vase, a cylindrical body tapering at the base with a well defined shoulder below a short cylindrical neck with a galleried rim, follows closely the classic Chinese ‘rouleau’ shape and some of the elements of the decoration are Chinese in origin too, especially the floral border to the neck, but the figures are Japanese, the lady appearing as a Geisha and the gentleman holding a fan usually described as the Mikado emperor himself. The black ground appears on other pieces and the form of the mark, including a dove within a circle, was used from 1894 to the early 1920s, when Wain himself left the firm, although his designs continued to be made for some years afterwards.
Carlton Ware was the trade mark used by the pottery manufacturer Wiltshaw and Robinson, whose premises were located in Stoke on Trent, four years after the firm’s establishment in 1890. The firm mostly concentrated on decorative giftware and new methods of production introduced in the 1920s put it at the forefront of the earliest Art Deco pottery pieces produced, firstly with designs originating from Tutankhamun’s tomb and then with pieces with an Oriental influence of which this vase, in shape not often seen in this design, is a prime example.
Black and Gold Copper Glitter Art Glass Scent Bottle, probably Murano late C20th
Price: £55
This is a very stylish scent bottle and stopper with a bulbous body, a concave neck with a flat top rim and a fitted stopper with a ball and pointed top and a long interior seal, the black glass with gilt flecks made from copper in globular and swirling patterns. Almost all the pieces with similar form and decoration are attributed to the Murano glassworks in Venice although none seem to exist with labels which would authenticate this. But the high quality of the glass blowing certainly suggests Murano work and the attribution seems reasonable. This example is particularly pleasing and is in excellent condition with the stopper original and intact.
LOT 33
Set of six fine quality Satsuma cups and saucers, signed, early C20th
Estimate: £120 – 150
3d 22h 36m
£0.00
Owl glass Vase, Italian probably Murano, second half C20th
Price: £45
An art glass vase of globular beaker form, the front face modelled as the face of an owl with raised ears at the side and the base flat, the amber coloured glass with diagonal flecks, presumably intended to represent fur and the base with layers of glass employing the ‘sommerso’ technique. Similar owl vases were made by the Cristalleria d’Arte glassworks at Murano, Venice but these are of a slightly different shape and the eyes are rendered in black and white. But the techniquese employed here, particularly the ‘sommerso’ layers at the base are typical of Murano work and this seems to be the most likely provenance. The chunky modelling suggests a dating to the 1960s for this amusing and skilfully made piece.
Rare early Czech glass brooch c1920
Price: £45
This is an early example of Czech costume jewellery that dominated the European market before the second World War. It comprises heavy brass elements with cut glass stones. An incredible find for the costume jewellery collector.
Crown Winsor Jockey Teapot, 1980s
Price: £35
This amusing teapot depicts the head and shoulders of a jockey (his red cheeks implying perhaps a fondness for light refreshment between races) and the head of a horse. The modelling is vivid and colourfully painted, the white glaze with an original light craquelure. The base has a stamped mark. A circle with a cipher inside, above a crown and below the wording ‘Crown Winsor’ (note the spelling) and ‘England’ (rather indistinct).
Crown Winsor was a short lived earthenware manufacturer at the Sylvan Works, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England, previously the premises of the firm Shaw and Copestake, who traded under the well known name ‘SylvaC’ and went into voluntary liquidation in 1982. A workers co-operative trading under the name of Longton Ceramics attempted to take the business over but with little success and eighteen months later the enterprise was fully taken over by United Co-operative Society and run under the name of Crown Winsor. The Co-operative society already owned the Windsor Pottery works and the Crown Clarence Pottery works which was the source of the ‘Crown Winsor’ name. Production centred on whimsical and novelty items, sometimes made from the old SylvaC moulds but demand proved weak and the business ceased trading in 1989. This teapot is typical of their range and the elaborate cipher underneath seems to read ‘CW’ grandly announcing a trade name which unfortunately had a very short life
Stunning Art Deco onyx and rock crystal necklace
Price: £250
This is a gorgeous necklace comprising large carved "pumpkin" shaped stones in onyx and rock crystal with spacing beads. The clasp is integrated into one of the onyx beads so it looks as beautiful from the back as it does from the front. This necklace has been constructed from the large beads which are from the Art Deco period c. 1930 with modern spacer beads which are rock crystal and black tourmaline. The necklace has been restrung using modern techniques.
Unusual floral spray brooch 1960s
Price: £10
This is a lovely small brooch set with yellow and amber glass stones
Taxco bracelet with abalone panels c1950
Price: £85
This is an older Taxco bracelet comprising joined silver panels set with abalone stones. The stones are shaped into ovals or squares designed as Aztec masks. It is marked Hecho en Mexico, Taxco. It is not marked but is 950 silver and dates to the mid C20th.
Chinoiserie necklace with peking glass plaques c1960
Price: £45
This a lovely necklace by an American company called "Exquisite". It has faux jade or Peking glass plaques and oriental motif gold tone stations. It is signed or marked Exquisite.
Unusual 1950s puka shell and coral necklace
Price: £20
This is a beautiful necklace comprising numerous graduating polished puka shell stations interspersed with coral beads.
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!
Pair of petit point Tapestry Pictures, The Needlewoman Shop London, mid C20th
Price: £55
A pair of oval tapestry pictures depicting a lady and a gentleman in eighteenth century dress, framed and one with a label for ‘The Needlewoman Shop’ in Regent Street, London to the reverse. This attractive and finely worked pair of needlework images was most likely created from preprinted pattern tapestry canvas. Various examples of these were produced during the twentieth century including the popular ‘Gobelin’ range. The Needlewoman Shop traded in Regent Street from 1928 to 1985 and was something of a mecca for those interested in fine sewing in all its forms. The likelihood is that the patterns for these pictures were sold by the shop, possibly along with the threads required, and then framed by them after the customer had completed the kit successfully, but this is no more than an educated guess. The format of the label suggests a dating in the 1950s.
The fine stitching used here is a version of needlepoint termed ‘petit point’ because of the small size of stitches used. In general needlepoint, designs are stitched onto fine canvas using a simple tent stitch, a small, diagonal stitch that crosses over the intersection of one horizontal and one vertical thread of the canvas forming a slanted stitch at a 45-degree angle. Petit point uses the same technique but with much finer stitching and thread on a much finer canvas often requiring magnification for the work to be carried out. It allows more intricate designs and shading effects as can be clearly seen here. The technique was particularly popular in France amongst the aristocracy in the early eighteenth century which perhaps determines the choice of subject here but with their intricate stitching and complementary frames, this pair of tapestries would definitely be a candidate for boudoir accessories in the present day.
A Large Islamic Pewter Ewer, C20th
Price: £45
A pewter ewer with a globular shape body above a flaring foot, rising to a slender neck with a collar and slightly flaring out at the top, the conical lid hinged and with a knop finial, an ‘S’ curved handle to the reverse and a slender tapering spout with a zoomorphic terminal, the whole decorated with bands of impressed stylised foliage. The form of this ewer is typical of middle eastern designs and occurs in a multitude of variants adopting the same basic format. Provenance and dating are uncertain but a Turkish origin seems likely, perhaps from the mid C20th. The use of pewter rather than brass gives a slightly rustic feel and enhances the middle eastern origins of the piece.
Pair of Modernist Taxco earrings, c1980
Price: £45
This is a striking pair of earrings in a modernist style design of thick squares. Marked 'Sterling 925' and 'TS-7A' indicating Taxco, the city of manufacture and the maker's registration mark, a system of identification first used in 1979.
Art Deco beaded dress adornment
Price: £30
This is a very rare and detailed dress adornment comprising beads and glass stones attached to a long fringe
Taxco Silver and Copper Bracelet, c1940
Price: £55
This is a striking bracelet comprising Mexican or Mayan iconographic designs in silver and copper work surrounded by crushed turquoise, lapis and other stones and with Greek Key pattern borders. It is marked 'Hecho en Mexico', '925', and with an Eagle stamp '3' and an illegible maker's mark.
Japanese Arita Dish circa 1880
Price: £45
A Japanese Arita circular dish, stoutly potted and with a lightly scalloped rim, decorated in underglaze blue with the addition of green, blue and brick red enamels all highlighted in gold, the central roundel with a basket of flowers surrounded by three large panels with a duck, rocks and flowers, interspersed with arrow head panels with stylised flowers and separated by three smaller geometric shape panels again with stylised flowers, the reverse with three pairs of two of the eight ‘precious objects’ (cash, double lozenge) in underglaze blue.
The town of Arita in the former Hizen Province, northwestern Kyūshū island was a major cente for the production of porcelains in Japan. Best known for blue and white pieces it also produced polychrome wares as well, including the familiar imari colourings. While similar to Imari, the wider palette of colours used here is usually termed ‘Arita’ and the decorative appeal of the style is clear. This plate probably comes from an original set of five and its quality is much above average. Dating is to the Meiji era (1868 - 1912) probably around 1880.
Silver Brooch in the form of a Butterfly, Taxco 1940s
Price: £65
A silver Brooch in the form of a Butterfly with modelled wings set with beads in metal and turquoise, the slender body terminating in two antennae. Marked Made in Mexico, Sterling with the maker's mark AE in a heart shape. There is also an Eagle mark which indicates the Taxco workshop but this is difficult to identify.
Victorian enamel buckle c1900
Price: £40
This is a lovely example of these buckles in a scrollwork design with bright enameling in turquoise and pinks. It is brass.
Pair of Italian Art Deco style alabaster Bookends in the shape of books, first half C20th
Price: £75
This is an attractive pair of bookends that are worked into the shapes of books, three standing on a fourth. The bases have green felt coverings, probably original. The stone chosen, with its mottled brown colourings, perfectly imitates the look of old, leather bound volumes and is much less commonly found than the lighter colourings. Italy is one of the main sources of alabaster and many examples in this format have labels denoting that country of origin suggesting the provenance here. With their angular lines, these bookends are obviously Art Deco in style but are likely actually to have been made during that period. The carving is a bit ‘heavier’ than on many other examples and even the shape of the books themselves with their angular inset detail to the top and sides has the feel of the era. Decorative in themselves, they would be a highly practical addition to the study or office!
Chinese Reverse Glass Painting of Two Ladies on a Garden Terrace, first half C20th
Price: £240
A reverse glass (or verre eglomise) painting depicting two ladies in elaborate court dress on a garden terrace with fencing at the front and a stylised garden scene at the rear with rocks, prunus and bamboo (symbolising longevity and renewal); one reads a book and the other holds a small library book box. Reverse glass paintings became a staple of the decorative items exported by China in the eighteenth century and production continued into the twentieth. The style of painting here, a little less detailed than that found in older counterparts but still with charm and skill in the brushwork, suggests a dating to the 1920s which would fit with the frame which is most likely original and retains its original fastening pegs at the back. The composition is well balanced and attractive and this is an excellent example of the genre in good and original condition.
Nesting Set of Four Small Brass Trays with an engraved designs of Bats, Chinese C20th
Price: £30
A set of four brass trays in graduating sizes of rounded rectangular form with indented corners each with an engraved design of four bats symbolising good fortune, longevity and happiness surrounding a central ‘shou’ symbol of simplified form, again representing longevity. The function of this set is unclear but care was taken in its manufacture so that the individual pieces fit precisely into one another. Perhaps for sweetmeats or other delicacies and probably made in the early twentieth century for the local market.
1950s Ocean Themed Earrings
Price: £15
This is a striking pair of earrings with a marine inspired design, comprising modelled turquoise metal sea shell plaques with suspended gilt metal sea horses suspended from gilt metal mounted facetted turquoise glass beads, the hooks in gilt metal.
Pair of Navajo Kingman turquiose earrings, signed, 1970s
Price: £65
This pair of earrings boasts 10 large cabachons of Kingman turquoise. The Kingman mine located in Arizona, is the last commercial turquoise mine in the US. It is known for its intense colour and unique matrix. These earring where produced by a Navajo silver maker. They are signed MJ which indicates the specific workshop. Marked Sterling for 925 silver.
Vintage Petit Point Tapestry Bag, Austria, 1920s
Price: £15
This is a fine example of the minutely stitched embroidered bags made in Austria during the 1950s. Of sack form, the black ground tapestry canvas is decorated on each side with a profusion of multicoloured flowers including peony and lotus worked in the ‘petit point’ style with tiny stitching within a gold rococo border, the sides and base decorated in the same style. The top and snap clasp are in gilt metal and suspended from a gilt metal chain. The inside is finished in cream coloured silk with two green stitching bordered pockets and a label which reads ‘MADE IN AUSTRIA’. The maker is anonymous but their work rivals that of the well known firm ‘Jolles Original’, founded in Vienna in 1923, whose creations won a Grand Prix award in the 1958 World Exhibition held in Belgium and were sold by premier American Department stores such as Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue making this bag a desirable addition to a collection of embroidered bags or vintage bags in general.
Ceramic Model of a Fish, Jema Holland, signed, 1950s/1960s
Price: £30
A ceramic model of a fish strikingly modelled with outstretched fins and rising out of flowing waves, lustre glazed in tones of green and blue, the base with an incised script mark reading 'Jema' 'Holl.' '132'.
The Jema factory in Holland was started by two brothers, Jelis Mager ( born 1912 in Rotterdam, Netherlands) and his brother Johan Willem Mager (born 1919 also in Rotterdam) both living in Maastricht who took over an existing ceramics factory, founded originally by J.Meussen, in 1942 and traded together in a partnership which was dissolved in 1955 when the firm JEMA KERAMISCH ATELIER N.V. (jema ceramic studio; the first JE standing for Jelis and MA standing for Mager) was created under a new agreement between them. Ceramic products of many types were produced with figurines a speciality and the business continued until 1984 when it became insolvent and closed its doors.
Most of the pieces seem to have been marked, usually with an impressed script as here indicating the factory itself and the model number of the piece. For modest decorative items the quality of the manufacture is of a high standard as can be seen in both the modelling and the glazing of this piece. Their animal figurines were immediately approachable and provided modest but amusing items of decoration.
Mdina Blue Summer Perfume Bottle and Stopper, signed, 1970s
Price: £55
A perfume bottle and stopper, the blue glass body of rounded square form with pronounced applied trailing and traces of green and yellow, the stopper ball shape and in similar colourings with ‘sommerso’ effects and minute bubbles, the stout ‘wand’ faintly concave, the base with an incised signature ‘Mdina’.
Mdina Glass was founded in the Maltese town of Mdina in 1968 by Michael Harris and Eric Dobson. The town had no history of glass making but the venture proved to be a success. Its wares, free formed organic glassware, often in colours inspired from the sea, sand, earth and sky, proved very popular with tourists visiting Malta. Michael Harris left Mdina in 1972 and formed a new company, Isle of Wight Studio Glass, on the Isle of Wight, UK, leaving Eric Dobson in charge, but many of the designs he created continued to be made at Mdina Glass after his departure. This perfume bottle may possibly be an original Michael Harris design. Certainly it reflects the organic forms he created and the colourings, resembling the popular ‘sea and sand’ range, are consistent with this although the pattern here is more correctly referred to as ‘blue summer’ and the stopper of this bottle is a better match in colouring and design than some of the other examples currently on the market.
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.
Victorian Grand Tour Wedding Cake glass necklace
Price: £125
These glass beads are very unusual due to their age and condition. It is a perfectly graduated set of 25 beads with original brass findings. These beads are gold in colour decorated with detailed floral and scroll work. The stations are interspersed with amber glass spacer beads.
Large costume cameo brooch, marked W. Germany
Price: £15
This is a fun large oval brooch set with a very detailed glass cameo portrait with faux pearls, market W. Germany
Mounted aquatint engraving of a Courting Couple, signed, probably French C20th
Price: £45
The aquatint process is similar to that of engraving but it is powdered resin rather than a needle which is used to create the desired print effect and it is areas of colour which are produced here rather than an outline design. Often, though, the two techniques are combined, as in this print. Within an oval frame are depicted in pastel tones of blue, yellow and green a courting couple in eighteenth century dress. Boucher springs to mind but perhaps we are closer to Fragonard since the scene depicted is not wholly innocent. The lady’s right breast is clearly exposed and her right hand rather artfully placed. Perhaps this explains the slightly surprised expression on the young man’s face. The general style indicates much more modern work of course, perhaps to the mid C20th, but the artist, who signs his name as ‘Ceilli’, could well have been of the same nationality as his more famous predecessors. Certainly, he has produced a work of impish charm.
Fun lot of two Indian silver elephant brooches c1930
Price: £45
These are are two very different yet similar brooches depicting elephants. One is quite realistic with much detail such as skin, face and ears. The other is a typical Indian stylised design that is also quite detailed. Both are made in the typical repousse style. They have been "married" as they look so good together! :)
Three Chinese Canton Enamel Dishes, Nineteenth Century
Price: £45
Three Chinese Canton Enamel Dishes, all with very similar designs with a central lotus flower in famille rose enamels on a coloured enamel ground (green, turquoise and pink respectively) with lotus flowers and stylised scrolling foliage, the edges with repeating ju'i form lappets, the rims bound in copper and a copper foot to the base, the undersides in off white enamel. The style of decoration suggests a nineteenth rather than eighteenth century date of manufacture (compare the dish in the following lot 7) but the quality is good and while not a set as such the three pieces complement one another well.
LOT 17
Chinese Blue and White Snuff Bottle and Stopper, early C20th
Estimate: £30 – 40
3d 22h 4m
£0.00
Murano style Art Glass Paperweight, second half C20th
Price: £45
An art glass paperweight of tapering ovoid form with a flat base, the clear crystal glass enclosing a cluster of bubbles emerging from a dark grey rock like formation below. This design of ‘controlled’ bubbles occurs on paperweights from a wide variety of sources including the glassworks at Murano, Venice, a few of them retaining the original label with wording including ‘Made in Italy’ ‘Murano’ ‘Venezia’. The marked examples tend to have a crisp flat bottom, as here, sometimes with a distinct inner roundel to the centre of the foot, again as here. A Venetian provenance, then, is a possibility but no more than that. But, whoever the maker, this is certainly a piece demonstrating a high quality of both manufacture and design. Dating is most likely to the 1960s onwards when ‘organic’ and rounded forms were very much in fashion.
Art Nouveau style Lily bouquet brooch c1950
Price: £65
This is a large brooch with a lily spray design. It is marked 'silver' and there is a makers mark. The origin of this piece isn't clear.
LOT 45
Chinese Soapstone Brushwasher with flowering lotus, early C20th
Estimate: £50 – 80
3d 23h 0m
£30.00
Stunning Victorian Scottish agate necklace
Price: £175
This is a beautiful necklace comprising graduating Scottish agate beads with a banded agate heart pendant
Cup : Marriage and Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary, 1911
Price: £10
A china cup with flaring sides and a simple loop handle, transfer decorated with portraits of King George V and Queen Mary in beaded frames with flowers, the union jack and royal standard flags, the royal coat of arms and inscribed scrolls commemorating the royal marriage in 1893 and coronation in 1911, the reverse marked ‘In Commemoration’ below the royal crown. The base has an indistinct mark which appears more clearly on other pieces and can be read as ‘England’ ‘The Paragon China’ below a crown and a cipher with interlinked letters which read ‘S C Co’ for ‘The Star China Company’, China manufacturers at the Atlas Works, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England from 1899 to 1919 who introduced the trade name ‘Paragon China’ in 1903.
Production of this piece was presumably contemporary with the coronation in 1911 and many similar pieces were made by other factories at the time, more often in a straight sided mug shape. The form here suggests that there might have been an original saucer but none seem to have survived.
Three Indian Brass hanging plates, Thanjavur, C20th
Price: £55
Three circular brass wall plates, similarly decorated, with central designs of deities surrounded by panels of birds and scrolling foliage, all worked in high relief, the backs with rings for hanging and one with an engraved mark ‘INDIA’.
The style of decoration here is typical of the art brass hanging plaques produced by the metalworkers of Thanjavur, formerly known as Tanjore, from the late eighteenth century onwards. A Tanjore Art Plate consists of three components: the base plate (brass), a circular central relief panel of a deity worked in silver surrounded by relief panels in copper and silver often depicting flowers. Various deities are depicted here including the well known many armed Shiva. All the reliefs have milled borders but the wells are finished differently, some with engraved designs and one with circular bosses. Dating is probably to the mid C20th but the style of these pieces was continuous and relatively unchanging so an earlier period of manufacture is quite possible.
NB Stands for display purposes only and not included
Kitsch Style Conch Shell with painted landscape decoration, C20th
Price: £45
This is a conch form shell which has elaborate painted landscape decoration to the exterior and interior, the design flowing on almost continuously and extending deep into the inside of the piece. Whether in good taste or not, the skill of the artist is evident with the detailed and colourful riverside scene continuously unfolding to the extreme interior of the shell. While painted shells are known, there are no immediate comparisons to what we have here and provenance and dating are rather a matter of guesswork. There seems to be a 1950s feel though and the work looks more English than European. A conversation piece perhaps!
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.
Long strand of Chinese cloisonne beads c1950
Price: £45
This is a beautiful strand of Chinse cloisonne beads in an unusual green colour. It has the original corresponding clasp also in cloisonne. These would be very fresh for the spring or summer.
Amber statement necklace with round drops c1960
Price: £50
This is a really fun necklace comprising stations of large flat amber round beads that are honey coloured. They are strung as stations on brass fittings.
Egyptian Nefertiti and Talisman necklace on long chain c1970
Price: £95
This is a group of two large Egyptian pendants on a long box chain. The pendants are a plaque or talisman that has Hieroglyphs the other is the head of Nefertiti. These go perfectly together and look great on the long chain. Both pendants have Egyptian silver hallmarks.
Pair of Japanese Prints, C20th
Price: £25
Pair of Japanese Prints depicting geisha ladies in an interior and a garden setting with elaborate panel inscriptions.
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!
Pair of Ceramic Goblets : the Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981
Price: £20
A pair of ceramic goblets blue glazed with a bulbous body above a spreading foot, the front with silhouette portraits of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer within a circle of wording commemorating their marriage below the Prince of Wales feathers, the reverse plain and the interior gilt. Inside the foot is the mark for Prinknash Pottery in gold. The Prinknash Abbey Pottery was started in 1942 by the Benedictine monks there when they found a seam of clay during some building work. Situated in the abbey Granham in Gloucestershire their pottery continued production until 1997 when it was sold to the Welsh Porcelain Co. Their blue glaze commemorative wares stand apart somewhat with something of a ‘regal’ feel.
Suite of Scottish agate necklace and bracelet c1970
Price: £50
This is a very unusual suite of two pieces that both have the same curved link design with similar agate stones. Both have full marks with a makers mark A Mc N. An extender chain has been added so it is very wearable.
Studio Pottery Vessel by David White, signed DW, late C20th
Price: £180
A ceramic vessel of near goblet form, the globular circular body above a slender slightly concave foot and flaring outwards to the broad rim, the base countersunk, the glaze with carefully controlled craquelure effects in cream and blue, the interior of the base glazed black and with a stylised cipher mark ‘DW’.
The mark is for David James White (1934-2011) who established Broadstairs Pottery with his wife in 1978 (see lot XXXX) and then sold this in 1983 to concentrate on his own work which focused on high-fired porcelain decorated with a blend of crackle glazes in a range of colours with a high sophistication of technique, see ‘British Studio Potters’ Marks’ by Eric Yates-Owen and Robert Fournier (2nd edition 2005 p534). This vessel, a form he produced in a variety of colourings of which this is perhaps one of the most pleasing, is an excellent example of his work which rivals some of the best creations of earlier Chinese potters in the standard of finish achieved.
Czech Egyptian Revival Necklace with glass mounts and drops, Edwardian circa 1910
Price: £150
A Czech Egyptian Revival Necklace, cast in brass with a typical design of a pharaoh’s head and two stylised beetles all on a plaque in the shape of a butterfly and inset with red and blue glass beads, three glass bead drops to the bottom and a single large blue glass oval bead at the top from which hangs a thin brass link chain with a small clasp. The style of decoration indicates that this piece belongs to the ‘first wave’ of Egyptian Revival pieces and dates to the Edwardian era.
Pair of Chinese hand painted jade Eggs with modern stands
Price: £25
Each of these eggs is made from light green coloured jade formed into the shape of an egg. Both are attractively painted in bright colours with birds and flowers, the designs complementary rather than matching. They were made in China, doubtless as tourist souvenirs and are most likely quite recent in date but the combination of the stone shape and colour and the careful decoration make them attractive decorative items nevertheless.
