African wood figural group, Guinea c1970
Price: £35
This is a carved wood group depicitng a woman carrying water with a pig, fruit and other household implements.
LOT 39
An Unusual Pair of Bradawl Form Sewing Tools, probably Persian C20th
Estimate: £40 – 60
5d 3h 25m
£0.00
Aseda Glasbruk Blue Glass Bottle and Stopper by Bo Borgstrom, 1960s
Price: £55
This is a glass bottle, or possibly decanter, and stopper, the pear shape body heavily formed from blue glass with a stepped shoulder and a turnover rim and with irregular modelled shapes often held to resemble thumbprints, the ovoid stopper in clear glass with heavily indented ribbing. This piece was made by the firm Aseda Glasbruk which was a Swedish glass factory located in Aseda, Kronoberg County. It began production in 1947 and continued through until 1975 when it was incorporated into the Royal Krona group, which unfortunately then went into liquidation in 1977. Aseda Glasbruk's chief designer was Bo Borgstrom, who graduated from Stockholm's Swedish School of Arts and Crafts in 1951. Known as an artist in ceramics Borgstrom joined the firm in 1961 and perhaps his earlier work influenced his later creations for his new employers and can be seen here in what is certainly rather a sculptural piece and which appears in the firm’s catalogue with the number 991/1. As with another of Borgstrom’s pieces also in this sale dating is to the 1960s or early 1970s.
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.
Heavy silver curb collar necklace, Mexico 1970s
Price: £125
This is a striking necklace comprising a large curb chain connected to two bead work chains to create this statement look. It is unmarked but is quite typical Mexican silver work.
Egyptian Revival suite of a necklace and earrings, 20th century, c1980
Price: £65
This is a lovely set of a necklace and earrings in silver both with typical Egyptian iconographic designs and Egyptian silver hall marks.
Operculum shell demi parure
Price: £35
This is a wonderful set set with operculum shells. A large statement necklace and earrings set in silver tone base metal. What is an operculum shell?
An operculum is a calcareous structure created by many sea snails that serves as a little “trapdoor” to safely close them inside their shell. When, say, the tide goes out, stranding a sea snail too far from the water, the gastropod can draw itself deep into its shell and pull the operculum closed behind it.
Oriental style ceramic plate, signed Alice Smith, possibly American mid C20th
Price: £10
There are no obvious parallels for this plate. The form is that of a typical Chinese nineteenth century desert plate with a broad shallow well and a slightly upcurving rim but the back is glazed all over including the foot rim which is not the case with Chinese examples and the general appearance of the decoration is Western. The theme of children at play is typically Chinese but it is usually boys that are represented where here we have girls, four of them in coloured robes playing with tops, one standing apart from the rest. At the edge are a few sparse gilt leaves and the ground is a light mustard coloured wash, with the reverse plain and the signature in black ‘Alice Smith’ under the glaze. Whoever the artist was, she was capable of having a piece of hers professionally fired which implies a degree of commercial expertise. But there is nothing else to suggest other than the work of an accomplished amateur. Americans were and are prone to manufacture ‘home grown’ pieces in an Oriental style (some of their modern wallpapers are particularly notable) which leads this cataloguer to hazard a guess as to provenance and date. Otherwise, we have a true ‘mystery piece’ here but the composition is a sympathetic recreation of the East, wherever it was produced.
Two Beakers : Wedding of the Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, 1981
Price: £15
The wedding of ‘Charles and Diana’ in 1981 was the occasion for a flood of commemorative items celebrating what seemed at the time to be such a happy and auspicious event. Chinacraft Ltd are retailers of decorative chinaware with shops in London, at one time occupying prestigious premises in Regent Street. These beakers were a commission by them from the pottery manufacturers Caversall China, based in Stoke on Trent. The polychrome transfer decoration has oval framed portraits of the couple on the face with floral wreaths and an inscribed scroll and a depiction of Highgrove on the reverse, the private home of Prince Charles. 5000 were produced and these are numbered ‘86’ and ‘228’. For some reason, the portraits chosen of the couple seem less than cheerful which unfortunately, if accidentally, was to be prophetic of events to follow.
Chinese circular silk textile Panel in later European brass metal Frame, C19th/C20th
Price: £55
This is a fine quality Chinese silk embroidery circular panel, most likely cut out from an original robe as is indicated by the very feint unevenness at the edge, the black ground circular border with finely stitched blue flowers surrounding the central scene of a crane amidst tree branches with flowering lotus in the background. The detail of the embroidery work is evident throughout especially in the rendering of the crane’s feathers and the leaves of the lotus plant, implying that the original robe was a luxury production. This, combined with the fabric of the silk background, indicates that we clearly have nineteenth century work here. Perhaps the rest of the robe had not fared too well but for some reason the decision was taken to extract this sample and fit it into a glazed brass frame with its coil spring border. This has the look of the 1940s or 1950s and is probably English but its provenance cannot be absolutely certain. But the care taken at the time was entirely justified and allows us today to enjoy this fine example of Chinese embroidery work.
Oil Painting of a landscape scene with trees, framed, C20th
Price: £25
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.
Early Egyptian Revival necklace c1900
Price: £65
This is a lovely example of early Egyptian Revival that was popular in the 19th century. It comprises a lariat style pendant in the shape of a winged scarab ending with a tradtional Victorian style drop with vivid red stones.
A gilt metal and onyx figure of a Cherub holding a Globe 1960s
Price: £45
This is an amusing figure of a cherub holding a globe, perhaps intended as a desk ornament or paperweight or possibly as part of a two piece clock set. The cherub is modelled in gilt metal with a smiling face, standing on one leg with the right arm upraised and supporting a globe which is held in place by a screw attachment. The globe and base are formed from onyx with typical striations. Similar pieces are usually dated to the 1960s which would seem to be the case here. Mounted onyx globes do appear, but the addition of the cherub figure is more unusual.
Art Deco Style Bagley Glass Vase with fin type handles 1930s
Price: £45
An Art Deco style glass Vase made by Bagley Glass, of urn form, the slender ovoid body modelled with a swirling design and finished with a crimped rim, set with two fin shape handles and resting on a squared base, all finished in a mottled blue colour wave. The form clearly reflects pieces from the Art Deco period and coloured glass was not produced by the firm until the 1930s. The shape here is unusual and similar examples are hard to find. This piece was mould made, as can be seen from the base, but probably also finished by hand in common with many other pieces from the firm. Dating has to be assumed. Bagley pieces are not marked and popular designs were sometimes continued long after their introduction.
Large tooled leather bag with Moroccan Designs 1970s
Price: £85
This is a beautiful large bag made from light soft leather that has been tooled all over with Moroccan patterns and vignette roundels depicting camels and palm trees.Lined in leather, it has four stud feet and is in immaculate condition..
Bohemian Green Glass Moser style Ewer, late C19th
Price: £35
A small green glass ewer, the slender body of rounded inverted cone form above a rounded spreading foot, the narrow cylindrical neck with a deeply scalloped rim forming the spout and to the side a tall loop handle, decorated with beaded gilt bands and flowers, the top rim and handle with traces of gilding. The form and decoration here is typical of the so called ‘Bohemian’ glass produced for export in the nineteenth century by the workshops from the regions of Bohemia and Silesia, now parts of the Czech Republic. With its origins in the renaissance, Bohemian glass in elaborate forms and with colourful decoration of thickly enamelled floral subjects was made in substantial quantities in the second half of the nineteenth century satisfying an eager demand in both Europe and America. This ewer resembles pieces made by the well known factory Moser but is unlikely to be one of their productions, more a modest version for a mass audience. But it is highly representative of the style and attractive in its own right.
Small Chinese Gilt Ground Cloisonné Bowl, C20th
Price: £35
A small bowl with a short foot and an everted rim, the gilt ground decorated in raised cloisonne enamel with prunus flowers, the base and interior finished in mottled turquoise enamel. The cloisonné technique, where glass derived enamels are inlaid between gilt metal outline designs, the so called 'cloisons' or 'partitions', was developed in China from as early as the fourteenth century and employed continuously thereafter, even until the present day. In the early twentieth century pieces were produced with a gilt ground onto which were applied raised cloisonne enamel designs, as here. The quality of the work is excellent and self evident but note in particular the shading effects in the enamels which are seen in images (3) and (4). Prunus is the emblem of Winter and the symbol of life because its blossom appears in springtime on an apparently lifeless tree. This small bowl or cup was probably intended for drinking tea or wine which explains the shape of the rim. Dating is most likely to the first half of the C20th.
Chinese Blue and White Snuff Bottle circa 1900
Price: £45
A Chinese Blue and White snuff bottle of flattened rectangular form with a short round neck slightly flaring at the top, decorated on each side with boys, one writing on a tablet with a brush and two playing together, the sides with lotus petals and the base glazed inside an unglazed foot. The style of decoration, which is not without a naif charm, suggests late nineteenth century work and the paste of the foot rim does not conflict with this, indeed it could be a bit earlier. Similar pieces are found, usually more coarsely potted and painted, and were probably made for the local market rather than export to the West. Doubtless originally fitted with a stopper, perhaps with an attached spoon, this piece is still an amusing and decorative item for the collector.
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.
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.
Chinese Silver Bangle with Dragon Heads, C20th
Price: £45
A Chinese silver bangle of simple loop form terminating in two Dragon’s heads. One head with a small circular pad marked 925, Twentieth Century.
Balinese Silver Bangle with Elephant Heads, 1980s
Price: £45
Balinese Silver Bangle with a typical rope twist design terminating in two elephant heads with raised trunks. One terminal with a small circular pad marked 925 (the nine is very feint and can only be seen with a loop). Style and form of decoration suggest a circa date in the 1980s.
Balinese Silver Bangle with Elephant Heads, 1980s
Price: £45
Balinese Silver Bangle with a typical rope twist design terminating in two elephant heads with raised trunks. One terminal with a small circular pad marked 925 (the nine is very feint and can only be seen with a loop). Style and form of decoration suggest a circa date in the 1980s.
Rectangular Box and Cover, Basanite Jasper, C20th
Price: £95
A rectangular box and cover constructed from joined slabs of basanite Jasper, both parts with the rims metal mounted and joined by a hinge at the rear, the base with four short feet. The material here is a form of Jasper, a naturally formed rock which can appear in a variety of colours and patterns. One of these is ‘picture jasper’ where the outline of scenes or images can be seen on the polished surface and another ‘basanite jasper’ known for its black streaked tones. Both of these can be seen here, particularly the apparently mountainous design of the lid and the two side panels, front and back. Jasper is found in a wide variety of locations, including Russia but it is not possible to determine the origin here. Dating is equally uncertain, but the piece has a strong ‘Art Deco’ look with its clean lines and simple geometric feet and this may well point to the timing of its manufacture. Colour and form, though, combine to produce a striking decorative item well suited to the most contemporary interior.
Fine Quality engraved French Glass Dish with naturalistic Ormolu Mounts, early C20th
Price: £25
A small glass circular dish with deep sides and engraved to the centre with flowering lotus, mounted to the rim in gilt meatal or 'ormolu' with a circular band cast with a repeating loop design,
astride which are a well modelled frog and a lily pad. Perhaps intended as a bonbonniere or a trinket dish, this charming piece clearly reflects the Art Nouveau style with its emphasis on
naturalistic design. Similar pieces are held to be French and this is most likely the provenance here with a dating to the early C20th.
Set of three Wade Bramble Pattern teaware items, 1950s
Price: £25
A set of three teaware items in the ‘Bramble’ pattern made by Wade Ceramics, comprising a pot for honey or jam, a jug and cover and a sugar basin. All are similarly decorated with a colourful briar design of raised blackberry leaves and berries on a cream textured ground, the handles in the form of twigs. The bases are marked ‘Wade’, ‘Bramble’, ‘England’.
Wade Ceramics Ltd was a manufacturer of porcelain and earthenware, headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Founded in 1867, it was run by various members of the Wade family until the death of George Anthony Wade in 1987 after which there was a succession of management buyouts. Despite substantial investment in 2009, the firm eventually went into administration in 2022. Wade produced a wide variety of ceramics, including the well known Wade Whimsies animal figurines. A pair of Art Deco green glazed ‘salts’ are also included in this sale. The ‘Bramble’ design was created in the 1950s and a wide variety of tea service shapes were produced in the pattern. Collectors today can attempt to assemble examples from the whole of the range, towards which these three pieces might provide some assistance.
Japanese Ceramic Figural Group of two Geisha, late C19th
Price: £25
A Japanese ceramic figural group of two Geisha, one standing with her right arm upraised and the other seated with a fan in her left hand, both dressed in the traditional Japanese kimono wrapped round at the front and tied with a tassel at the back, and positioned on a blue ground rocky outcrop which is pierced at the top and bottom, possibly as a result of the manufacturing process. Various ceramic figures of geisha, sometimes pairs and sometimes individual figures, were produced in Japan in the late nineteenth century, doubtless for export. All share fairly bold modelling and a bright palette of colours but a group such as this seems a bit more unusual. It is an effective composition and a modest reflection of the taste for ‘Japonisme’ in the West at that time.
Vintage Needlepoint Picture of a Garden Scene, framed, second half C20th
Price: £25
This is a charming embroidery on canvas employing the so called ‘needlepoint’ technique in which over half a dozen stitching techniques are used as opposed to ‘cross stitch’ which uses only one. The varieties of technique employed here can be clearly seen in the detail images (3), (4) and (5). The picture depicts a garden scene with a bird bath and path in the foreground leading to a gate with a pergola like floral arch over it and, in the distance, a thatched cottage. The attraction of the design speaks for itself. Dating is difficult but most likely post war and the frame suggests the mid to late twentieth century.
Pair of Victorian marcasite and silver earrings
Price: £25
This is a very striking pair of earrings comprising numerous small stones mounted in low grade silver, termed marcasite jewellery, Both pieces are marked for silver and the floral and leaf design is very typical of the Victorian era when pieces in this style enjoyed great popularity and were favoured even by the monarch herself. Marcasite Jewellery is actually made from pyrite ('fool's gold'), a much cheaper substitute for true diamonds!
Heavy brass and enamel collar necklace in the manner of Albert Gustav Bunge (1893 - 1967)
Price: £35
This is a very unusual and striking necklace comprising two pieces that make up as a collar with three heavy brass drops. Each drop has very unusual enamel work that is quite thick and has a piece of agate in the centre.
The style is very similar to the designs of Albert Gustav Bunge (1893 - 1967). He was a German metalworker and enamel artist best known for his elegantly crafted bracelets, plates, cups, book ends, and other household objects. Bunge combined utilitarian properties of design with decorative depictions of colourful, geometric shapes and stylized animals.
The piece is unmarked and therefore a firm attribution is not possible but the parallels are striking nevertheless.
Two complementary Bracelets in a Greek Key design
Price: £45
This is an interesting lot of two bracelets that match one another well. They are both finely made and are decorated in the typically stylish Greek Key design. Continental and marked 925. The ‘Greek key’, also known as the ‘meander’, is a repeating geometric motif that has been used in a wide variety of decorative contexts for centuries. The pattern can be found in a variety of forms. At its most basic, it is a band consisting of short horizontal and vertical lines, connected at right angles. But it can be more complex, forming labyrinths and interlocking key patterns.
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.
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.
Studio Pottery Vase with flambé glaze, C20th
Price: £55
A studio pottery vase, the body of broad ovoid form, ribbed and rising to a wide neck, covered in a multicoloured purple flambé gaze with splash glaze effects, the flat base unglazed and with a handwritten script mark. The look of this piece is Oriental with borrowings from both China and Japan but the shape does not resemble pieces from either and the paste suggests European and almost certainly English manufacture. Potters from the early twentieth century onwards studied the work of their Oriental counterparts intently, producing pieces ‘in the style of’ rather than direct copies. Bernard Leach (1887 to 1979) was the trailblazer here and had many successors at the Leach pottery which still produces pieces today. Bernard’s son, David (1911 to 2005), created many pieces similar to this vase but the foot is different and they are always signed. The maker of this piece must be anonymous, at least for now, but displays great skill in the potting and the handling of the complex glaze effects which look towards Chinese Jun ware and Japanese tenmoku glazes. The script signature, which is hard to decipher, seems to be contemporary to the manufacture and the handwriting style looks towards the early twentieth century, so possibly a dating here to the 1920s or 1930s, but this is very speculative. But the quality of workmanship is not in doubt and presents an interesting addition for the collector of studio pottery wares.
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.
Victorian Chinese turquoise beads 1900
Price: £400
This is a Chinese graduated turquoise bead necklace. The stones are untreated and natural colours and markings really make this a stunning example. It is very finely graduated so they imperceptibly decrease in size which adds to the elegance and quality.
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.
LOT 17
The Braves and the Fair Men of Letters and Women of Fame of Old China circa 1900
Estimate: £60 – 80
5d 2h 41m
£0.00
Fabulous necklace with hanging articulated fish pendant 20th century
Price: £125
This is a very unusual necklace comprising a pendant with two identical silver articulated fish that are engraved to resemble scales and tail. They are on a very fine herringbone chain. Both fish have full English hallmarks that are so small they seem illegible. Maybe your eagle eyes will have more luck. :) The chain and pendant have been "married" so did not originally come together.
Chinese Republican Style small Famille Rose Ginger Jar and Cover, late c20th
Price: £20
A small ginger jar and cover of typical near globular form with a matching domed cover decorated in ‘Famille Rose’ enamels with two ladies in a garden scene, the base with a band of repeating stylised lotus leaves and the shoulder with a border of stylised scrolling foliage (peony and lotus) on a pink enamel ground, the cover with two butterflies and a band of fleur de lis and the reverse with a calligraphy inscription in black with seal marks in iron red. The base has a stamped iron red mark with the Chinese characters ‘Zhong Guo Jingdezhen’ which translate ‘Made in China’ which is also written in Western characters underneath. Below this is the number ‘07’ between two horizontal lines which may indicate the factory or cooperative where the piece was made. This form of mark indicates a dating to the 1980s which is consistent with both the paste of the foot and the style of the decoration. Not perhaps Chinese craftsmanship at its best but not without a certain charm.
Two Wood Boxes : Marriage of Charles and Diana, Birth of Prince William, late C20th
Price: £15
These two wooden round boxes, doubtless intended for trinkets, announce their purpose on the respective covers, to commemorate (i) The Marriage of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer on 29th July 1981 (ii) The Birth of Prince William on 21st June 1982. Both have the initials of the subjects inset on the covers and the first has an incised mark underneath (see image 6). If these were produced commercially, no other examples seem to exist, which just possibly suggests that they were the work of a skilled amateur or trial pieces for a range which was never produced.
Art Deco Catalin Bakelite necklace, American c1930
Price: £125
This is a fabulous necklace comprising very large mustard coloured catalin beads in tubular, ovoid and globular shapes. Catalin is a form of plastic that is comtemporary with Bakelite. They are very similar as they are both composed of phenol and formeldehyde. The main difference is that Catalin was poured a poured liquid and Bakelite was moulded from a granular powder. Catalin is a brand name developed and trademarked in 1927 by the American Catalin Corporation of New York City, when the patent on Bakelite expired that year. It was used in a variety of applications, including costume jewellery, until the end of the second world war when it became too expensive, as every piece had to be individually cast and polished. Catalin jewellery is often incorrectly referred to as bakelite but has a distinction all of its own and this necklace is prime example of the fashion designs produced in the 1930s.
Figure of a Young Girl Praying, Continental, probably mid C20th
Price: £45
This is an elegant figure of a young woman at prayer, her slender body carefully modelled with upraised elongated hands and expressive detail to the face and enshrouded, niche like, in a robe green tinted on the inside and brown on the exterior, the base with an oval opening and impressed numbers ‘825’ and a stamped number ‘31’. There are no obvious parallels to this piece which has some resemblance to Goldscheider compositions but a completely different finish to the foot and none of the Goldscheider markings. And while there are some similarities it also looks later with more of a mid century feel. Italian work comes to mind, but there is no proof of this. Perhaps we are intended to see the Virgin Mary here although the young lady seems a bit too youthful for a secure identification. Whoever she is, she has been rendered with skill and charm and well deserves her admirers today.
Large Scottish agate specimen brooch 1910
Price: £55
This is a unique large oval brooch set with a slice of agate with that has beautiful markings that really highlight the stone.
Black glass apple pendant on a long chain, 1980s
Price: £25
This is an amusing necklace comprising a black glass pendant in the form of an apple mounted with a leaf with diamante stones and suspended from a long complementary chain.
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 Scottish bloodstone brooch
Price: £25
This a petite brooch comprising one piece of work bloodstone.
Graduated set of Three Chinese Blue and White Ginger Jars and Covers, 20th Century
Price: £45
A set of three Chinese Blue and White Miniature Ginger Jars and Covers of graduated sizes and typical form with globular bodies and domed covers, decorated in the 'Ming Style' in underglaze blue with lotus heads and stylised scrolling foliage, a band of lotus form panels to the base and ju'i form lappets to the neck, the design repeated on the cover.
Although of relatively recent manufacture, the quality of these pieces continues the Chinese ceramic productions of the late nineteenth century and together they form an attractive decorative ensemble for the contemporary interior.
An Art Deco ceramic group of two Fish by Guido Cacciapuoti, signed, 1930s
Price: £150
A ceramic group of two fish, most likely carp, realistically modelled, with their tails bent as if swimming through water, and glazed in a deep red, the base flat and unglazed with two holes to assist firing and with an impressed mark to the underside of one of the fins ‘MADE IN ITALY’. Also at the bottom can be seen an inscribed signature which reads ‘Guido Cacciapuoti’.
Guido Cacciapuoti was a celebrated Italian ceramicist. Born in Naples in 1892 and from a family with a tradition in the creation of majolica pottery, Guido exhibited his work widely in the 1920s and finally, in collaboration with his brother, Mario, and Angelo Bignami as the administrative and commercial director, he founded the factory ‘Gres d'Arte Cacciapuoti Bignami & C.' in Milan in 1927. Mario unfortunately died three years later leaving Guido to carry on on his own until his death in 1953.
In the 1930s, Guido’s workshop became famous for the production of ceramic animal sculptures with fish being a particular speciality. More commonly seen are groups of John Dory, again with a red glaze, but the smoother lines here and the particularly intense colour reflect more closely the contemporary Art Deco style. Sought after in their own time, with patrons such as the King of Italy and Mussolini, Guido’s works are highly collectible today and this group would make a striking addition to a collection of Art Deco ceramics with considerable decorative appeal.
Framed Picture of Two Elephants signed Mary Beth Zeitz and dated 2003
Price: £25
This attractive composition was, in fact, drawn on a serviette as the label at the back indicates and can easily be seen from the material itself. Depicted are a pair of confronting elephants with colourful saddle hangings and open top howdahs. The painting is skilful and there is much detail in the representation of the fabric hangings and the sides of the howdahs. But then, this is the work of an accomplished and known artist, Mary Beth Zeitz, whose signature appears at the bottom right hand corner (see another example of her work [image 7] for comparison). Born in the C20th in Louisville, Kentucky, she was raised in Wilmington, Delaware from the age of 3 and then went on to study French at the University there following this with a spell the Universite de Montpellier while she was living in the South of France. Her work is distinguished by detailed subjects and antique-style textures which are often to be seen in her watercolours. Her paintings have found their way into several galleries and have been purchased by private and corporate collectors. The recipient of this gift was lucky then and received a decorative object of great charm and skill.
Framed Chinese Embroidery Silk Textile, signed, second half C20th
Price: £25
A Chinese silk textile with an embroidered design of a peacock and a peahen (the male and female peafowl) sitting on the branch of a pine tree with peony growing below in a stylised garden scene. There is a four character signature to the top left, probably denoting the artist. The style of the embroidery and the calligraphy of the signature suggest mid to late C20th work, perhaps dating to the 1960s or 1970s. The composition and the detail and colourings of the embroidery work are pleasing, combining to produce an excellent example of the genre. The frame is European and perhaps contemporary with the date of manufacture (see Lot 24).
Victorian silver bracelet set with garnets 1900
Price: £35
This is a lovely and delicate bracelet comprising intricate silver mesh set with garnet stones and silver spheres. The clasp is a buckle that is very typical of this period.
English silver filigree floral necklace
Price: £35
This is a lovely filigree necklace comprising 17 small floral filigree stations. Unmarked silver
Stunning opera length string of rock crystal beads
Price: £35
This is a very long strand of approximately 95 graduating facetted rock crystal beads that have been recently restrung using pink cord. This necklace is difficult to date but judging form the type of beads it is most likely early 20th century or could be Victorian.
Art Deco glass bead necklace
Price: £20
This is a simple and elegant necklace comprising clear and green glass beads
Studio Pottery Vase with Robin’s Egg Glaze marked Zambia, Modern
Price: £30
This is a stoneware vase, the pear shape body with a slender concave neck and flaring rim, covered overall with a mottled blue glaze closely imitating the Chinese ‘Robin’s Egg’ effects which extends to the interior, the foot rim unglazed and the lightly glazed base with incised marks ‘ZAMBIA’ ‘BJ’ above and (?) ‘R’ below. The stoneware body aside (and, of course the marks at the base) this vase could almost have originated in China both in respect of its shape and its glaze which almost exactly copies the Robin’s Egg colourings produced by the Chinese potters, a glaze which originated in the eighteenth century and employed the technique of blowing turquoise onto a blue glaze base to produce mottled effects. But the studio potters based England in the early to mid twentieth century often turned to their Oriental counterparts for inspiration and when studio pottery was developed in Zambia in later years, partly with the assistance of visiting European artists, it was no surprise that this influence should be repeated. Zambia now has its own tradition of studio pottery and other pieces are found marked with the country of origin just as this one is. The potters must remain largely unknown to us, despite their signature marks, but this vase shows that they are capable of producing pieces of high quality, both collectible for students of studio ceramics and decorative in their own right.
Chinese style Vase and Cover decorated with ladies and courtiers in a garden scene, C20th
Price: £55
A Chinese style vase of ovoid form with a short neck and foot fitted with a matching dome shape cover with a plain finial, decorated with a polychrome design of two ladies in a garden scene being watched through a stylised window by two courtiers, flowering trees to the front and reverse, probably plum blossom or prunus, and typical verandah fencing, the foot, shoulder and cover with pattern designs loosely imitating those of the eighteenth century, including lotus panels, ju'i form lappets and floral borders with scrolling peony. This piece is a pastiche of Chinese work and probably dates to the 1960s. While it looks back in some respects it has a contemporary feel, particularly in respect of the shape which is simpler and more Western than that of its sources. The mark is pseudo Chinese and the manufacturer was clearly European, most probably an Italian factory since some similar pieces exist with a label stating 'made in Italy'.
Framed Ceramic Plaque depicting St John’s Church, Old Coulsdon, late C20th
Price: £25
A small ceramic plaque of octagonal shape painted in tones of sepia and depicting St John’s Church, Old Coulsdon, signed by the artist, ‘B.West’, and dated 1991. It is set in an oak frame with a border of stylised foliage on a ‘fishscale’ ground, the reverse backed with hardboard. St John’s Church, Old Coulsdon dates back to the late thirteenth century although some form of church on this site seems to have existed from the seventh century onwards. The view is taken from the south west and shows the old church nave and chancel (C13th) with the new church nave to the right (C20th). The artist was presumably local, perhaps a member of the congregation, and produced a pleasing, slightly impressionistic view of a familiar building. The frame looks earlier than the 1991 date inscribed on the plaque and may have been made from older pieces of wood adapted to fit. The combination produces an attractive decorative item, even to those not familiar with the location themselves.
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.
Perfume Bottle and Stopper, Island Studio, Guernsey, late C20th
Price: £30
A perfume bottle and stopper, the globular almost spherical body with short collar fitted with a rounded stopper, the glass blown with purple and white flecking effects merging into a swirling design at the top which continues to the stopper. Similar pieces can be found with the label 'Island Glass, Guernsey', and one of these also has the moulded mark on the bottom which appears here and may represent trees and waves. Island Glass was a glass studio based in Guernsey which seems to have had a very short existence in the late C20th. It is believed that one of the employees there was Chris Dodds who was later to set up his own studio in Selkirk, Scotland. Little is known of this firm but they were clearly capable of making pieces of high quality and appeal.
Pair of Taxco Mexican silver earrings, c1980
Price: £75
This is a stunning pair of earrings comprising large oval malachite stones set in silver with beading and rope twist work around the edge. They are from Taxco, the silver district in Mexico, and date to the 1980s. Marked 'Mexico', 'TZ-16', '925', they have been adapted from clip to post earrings to make them more easily wearable.
American Art Deco silver and marcasite brooch
Price: £35
This is a very interesting brooch in an Art Deco architectural design. It comprises marcasite and paste stones set into silver. It is marked Sterling which indicates that it is American. A real find the vintage collector.
Chinese Pale Celadon Jade Bangle, probably Nineteenth Century
Price: £45
A Chinese Pale Celadon Jade or Jadeite Bangle, of typical stout circular form, the mottled stone of a pleasing pale celadon colour with typical dark grey and black inclusions.
Jade is usually divided into two types, nephrite jade and jadeite jade. The latter is heavier and slightly harder, making it more difficult to scratch. The weight of this piece suggests that we do have jadeite here. The stone was selected for carving on the basis of its attractive appearance and the finish, which bears no trace of machine tooled manufacture, suggests a pre twentieth century dating, but certainty in these matters is notoriously difficult
The size of this piece is unusually large, suggesting that it would have been intended for a male wearer. This too suggests an earlier rather than later time of manufacture. The stone is exceptionally pleasant to the hand and would have been an elegant accompaniment to any wardrobe.
Earthenware Jug, Falstaff or Old King Cole, Furnival and Clark, mid C19th
Price: £75
An earthenware jug glazed in white with a minute craquelure effect and some staining in places, boldly mould modelled as a seated man with a pot belly, a mug in his right hand and his left resting on a branch which forms the lower part of the handle, details of his head picked out in red and a broad hat, forming the spout, seated on his flowing locks, the reverse modelled as his chair and the base with a band of key pattern design.
The design for this jug, usually termed ‘Falstaff’ but sometimes ‘Old King Cole’ is known to have been registered (Rd.No. 32601)by the firm Furnival and Clark on December 30th 1845. This was a very short lived partnership between Thomas Furnival and Richard Clark, based at the Stafford Street Pottery Works, Hanley, Staffordshire and which traded from 1844 to 1846 apparently producing just this one model, albeit in a variety of colours. Thomas Furnival had been involved in other firms before this brief venture and was to be involved in others afterwards. The dating of these mugs is usually attributed to the short period when Furnival and Clark traded but it is quite possible that more pieces were produced afterwards by Furnival himself. The paste and finish of this piece, though, which is not marked, certainly suggest a mid nineteenth century dating. In general, the model is quite rare. Some examples were fitted with a Britannia metal or pewter lid but this was never integral to the piece. This striking composition, then, is a rare and desirable item collectors with an interest in British Staffordshire wares.
Japanese Blue and White Sugar Bowl and Cover, first half C20th
Price: £25
A Japanese porcelain sugar bowl and cover of globular form, two modelled loop handles to the sides and a flush fitting lid with a squat knob, decorated in bright underglaze blue with stylised scrolling lotus, the design repeated on the lid. In common with many blue and white pieces exported from Japan in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the decoration here is not handpainted but applied with the use of a stencil which explains the slightly ‘mechanical’ effect. These sugar bowls are often paired with a cream or milk jug but do not seem to have formed part of a larger tea service. The slightly uneven profile of the handles is found elsewhere and while dating is most likely to the 1920s or 1930s this piece is still of either decorative or even practical use around a hundred years later!
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.
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.
Bay Ceramic Ewer No 268-30, West Germany, 1960s
Price: £55
A ceramic ewer stoutly potted with a bulbous body above a short straight foot, the slightly concave neck terminating in two slightly flaring bands and fitted with a simple loop handle, the light mustard coloured glaze with moulded decoration of palmette leaves separated by an abstract geometric design and with bands of a repeating ovoid bead work pattern resembling a wheatsheaf, the interior glazed brown and the base with modelled marks ‘Bay’, ‘W-Germany’ ‘268-30’.
Bay Ceramics was founded by Eduard Bay in the 1930s and based in Ransbach Baumbach, the heart of the main West German pottery producing region. Their productions included vases in a wide variety of shapes and designs which continued in production until the 1980s. Bodo Mans was amongst their most famous designers working in the 1950s and 1960s. He seems to have concentrated on organic semi abstract designs and ewers in this form, with the same pattern number but in a variety of different glazes, are attributed to him. This monochrome mustard glaze seems particularly attractive and complements the design very successfully producing a striking and decorative item which might enhance a wide variety of interior settings.
LOT 4
Chinese Bone Inkwell in the form of a Chair, early 20th century
Estimate: £20 – 30
5d 2h 15m
£10.00
Fairing Figurine - The last in bed to put out the light, German, early Twentieth Century
Price: £25
Fairing Figurine "The last in bed to put out the light". 'Fairings', as they are known, were ceramic figures made to be given out, sold or won as prizes at fairs, hence the name. They were a product of the late Victorian era but continued to be made until the beginning of the First World War when they fell out of fashion. Manufacture was in Germany principally by the firm Conta and Boehme who developed a mass production method that no other company could match, thereby achieving a market advantage. They exported large quantities to Britain and the United States, but their pieces have even been found in Australia along with other destinations.
The various figures were made in white glazed porcelain with coloured decoration. The compositions were sculptural and often accompanied by an inscription, as here. Many models are known. Two typical examples are 'Returning from the Ball' and 'Twelve Months after Marriage' but the most common example is represented here 'The last in bed to put out the light'. A couple are seen climbing into a covered bed at the foot of which stands a candle in a holder. These candles are usually broken off, most likely because of simple damage over the years but it has been suggested that this was done deliberately for good luck.
Some of the fairing figurines are marked, as here. In comparison with the previous Lot 4, this example has a glazed circular mark which reads 'Made in Germany'. These marks appear on the later productions of the Conta factory and indicate a dating here to shortly before the First World War. This is consistent with the rather 'brassy' looking gilding used which is typical of ceramic production generally post 1900.
It is interesting to compare Lots 4 and 5 and to see how consistent the manufacture was throughout the period. Only the glazed base with its circular mark and the type of gilt decoration separate this example from its earlier companion.
Fairings have been collectors' items for many years now and still hold a naif charm which makes them appealing display items, with a history of their own.
Fairing Figurine - The last in bed to put out the light, German, late Nineteenth Century
Price: £25
Fairing Figurine "The last in bed to put out the light". 'Fairings', as they are known, were ceramic figures made to be given out, sold or won as prizes at fairs, hence the name. They were a product of the late Victorian era but continued to be made until the beginning of the First World War when they fell out of fashion. Manufacture was in Germany principally by the firm Conta and Boehme who developed a mass production method that no other company could match, thereby achieving a market advantage. They exported large quantities to Britain and the United States, but their pieces have even been found in Australia along with other destinations.
The various figures were made in white glazed porcelain with coloured decoration. The compositions were sculptural and often accompanied by an inscription, as here. Many models are known. Two typical examples are 'Returning from the Ball' and 'Twelve Months after Marriage' but the most common example is represented here 'The last in bed to put out the light'. A couple are seen climbing into a covered bed at the foot of which stands a candle in a holder. These candles are usually broken off, most likely because of simple damage over the years but it has been suggested that this was done deliberately for good luck.
Some of the fairing figurines are marked, as here. The impressed number '2851' comes from the first series of figures produced by the Conta factory with numbers ranging from 2850 to 2899. The earlier examples do not have the shield mark found on most of the pieces which indicates an earlier dating here, more towards the middle of the nineteenth century.
Fairings have been collectors' items for many years now and still hold a naif charm which makes them appealing display items, with a history of their own.
Chinese Yellow Ground Famille Rose Charger, 1950s/early 1960s
Price: £55
A Chinese circular charger, stoutly potted and with a faintly everted rim, richly enamelled in the ‘famille rose’ palette with lotus, bats, shou symbols and a central chrysanthemum head surrounded by small peony blooms, all on a yellow ground with white enamel stylised scrolling foliage, the reverse glazed white with a glazed footrim surrounding an unglazed circular band, the centre with a seven character stamped mark in iron red ‘Jiangxi’ ‘Jingdezhen’ ‘Ming 5 Ci’, ‘made at Jingdezhen [in the] Jiangxi [province], place rank 5’.
This is a fine example of the porcelains made at Jingdezhen, for centuries the chief centre of ceramic production in China, in the early years of the People’s Republic of China (1949-). Soon after the communists took control, the kilns at Jingdezhen were organised into co-operatives, each with a number. Many of their pieces were marked and the form of the mark determines the date of production. The circular marks, as here, were the earliest allowing a dating of this charger to the 1950s or possibly the early 1960s. Some of these conglomerates, for the quality can vary, retained the skills of their predecessors and produced works of high quality. This is clearly seen here in the careful and precise enamelling and the general artistry of the design employing ‘imperial’ yellow with the symbolism of happiness (bats), longevity (shou symbols), friendship and a life of ease (chrysanthemum) and fruitfulness and offspring (lotus), all combining to produce a piece well worthy of its many predecessors.
Please note that the wood stand is for display purposes only and is not incuded with this lot.
Cup Commemorating the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary in 1935
Price: £55
A bone china loving cup with two handles decorated with modelled roses and thistles made by the Paragon China works to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary in 1935. George V acceded to the throne in 1910 and was crowned the following year. He was to see the Silver Jubilee of his reign but died early the following year. The twenty five years of his reign were commemorated in various ways and this cup is an example. Portraits of the King and Queen are on the front and the royal coat of arms on the reverse. Above are the words ‘To Commemorate The Silver Jubilee Of Their Reign’. As the celebrations continued during that year, few could have anticipated the turbulent events that were to follow, leading to the start of the second world war four years later.
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 example.
Japanese Kutani Dish decorated with the Thousand Faces pattern, first half C20th
Price: £45
A Japanese polychrome plate decorated with a central roundel of a gilt stylised dragon and phoenix amidst waves on an iron red ground, surrounded by nine concentric borders, the first two with geometric designs and the next six with small repeating faces, the ‘thousand faces pattern’, and the outermost with chrysanthemum heads edged with an iron red and gilt border. The reverse with an iron red mark ‘Made in Japan’.
The colourings and style of work here clearly indicate the workshops of Kutani (the word means 'nine valleys') in the former Kaga province of Japan. By the nineteenth century the majority of their pieces were decorated in iron red and gold but sometimes with other colours in addition, as here. The ‘thousand faces’ pattern (an apocryphal term and this cataloguer has not attempted to count the number of faces appearing here) seems to have been evolved around the end of the nineteenth century and then continued in production until the mid twentieth. Both plates in various sizes and even tea sets are found in the design. The mark ‘Made in Japan’ was usually employed after 1941 (in the previous twenty years ‘Japan’ was the norm) but there are exceptions and the paste of the foot rim here does suggest a slightly earlier date, perhaps around 1930. In perfect condition, with very little wear to the decoration, this piece is a fine example of a rather eccentric decorative patttern.
Charming small amber pendant brooch set as an owl c2000
Price: £15
This is a very sweet small pendant brooch that is shaped like an owl with an amber belly. With full hallmarks and bail for pendant.
Ceramic Tankard celebrating the Marriage of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in 1986
Price: £10
A ceramic tankard of bell form and with a shaped loop handle glazed in blue inside and out, the front with titled silhouette portraits of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson between the royal coat of arms and the reverse with an image of Westminster Abbey and wording marking the event of their marriage in 1986. The base has 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 at 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.
1950s Regency style needlepoint kit bag
Price: £75
This is a lovely needlepoint bag with a floral motif on a cream coloured ground. It has gold hardware in the Regency style and a chain handle. It is lined with taffeta and is in immaculate condition. These bags were quite popular in the 1950s as they were a kit. The purchaser would do the embroidery work at home and then send it off to the manufacturer and they would make the bag. These bags are now becoming quite difficult to find and this is an excellent example of the type.
Brass and Enamel Campaign Serving Set, Made in British India mark, 1920s
Price: £45
This is an attractive set of three small serving dishes, presumably for sweetmeats or cakes, hinged to fold flat and be used as a travelling or 'campaign' item. The central dish rotates around a pivot which can be tightened to hold it in position when open and the side dishes drop down in alignment. The brass body is decorated in relief modelled enamels with stylised floral designs in red, blue, turquoise and cream typical of Anglo British work in the early 20th century. Each of the dishes and the hinges are marked '2.6' and the two outer dishes are stamped 'Made in British India' in addition.
Chinese Soapstone Brushwasher decorated with flowering Lotus, early 20th Century
Price: £45
A Chinese soapstone Brushwasher, carved in high relief with two vase like vessels and a shallow bowl all surrounded by flowering lotus and set on a ground of stylised rockwork, the back flat carved and the base hollowed out at the interior. Various similar pieces can be found with one or more vases surrounded by flowers or sometimes animals and presumably intended as brushwashers. 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) when a stone mined in the Shoushan village in northern Fujian was most commonly used. Shoushan soapstone is noted for its smooth texture, bright colours and fine grain and a wide variety of objects were carved from it. Production continued into the 20th Century which is what we have here but the quality of the work, with sparing use of the drill, suggests a dating in the early 1900s.
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.
Vintage Brass Pocket Case with a lid, probably a Vesta case for Matches, circa 1900
Price: £55
A small brass case with a hinged lid of irregular rectangular form decorated in high relief repoussé tecnique with a devil’s head encircled by a snake whose scaly tail continues onto the lid. Repoussé work is a metalworking technique in which a malleable metal is shaped by hammering from the reverse side to create a design in low relief. Other examples of these cases are known with a similar shape and technique and even the devil and snake motif. It is more than likely that this case was designed for matches, the so called 'Vesta Case' of which there is another example in this auction. Like that piece it is fitted with a ring, presumably to allow it to be attached to a watch chain. But other uses could have been intended, possibly for business or visiting cards (the Victorian calling card was much smaller) or perhaps for pills. The style of decoration very much recalls 'Arts and Crafts' pieces made around 1900 and a similar dating seems likely here.
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.
Victorian silver gilt filigree bracelet, Morocco
Price: £95
This is a stunning bracelet comprising four stations set with real stones amethyst, calcendony, tigers eye and garnet. These are surrounded with faux pearls. There are also small stations set with turquoise. It is marked 950 Silver. Probably Moroccan or North African.
Arts and Crafts Stumpwork Firescreen 1900
Price: £25
This is a wonderful firescreen in a typical Arts and Crafts minimal design, with lovely stumpwork embroidery depicting two couple in garden
Stunning suite of necklace and bracelet by Hobe 1950s,
Price: £350
This is a beautiful set of necklace and earrings be Hobe, one of the most collected makers around. It comprised a large statement necklace with three strands of large glass bead stations in amber and black glass with gold tone fittings. One of the most striking parts of both the necklace and bracelet is the corresponding clasp on each that is a large black stone surrounded by the amber glass stones that perfectly complement the piece. This also means that it can be work with hair up or hair that is in a shorter style. The bracelet has the same elements as the necklace. Both are marked Hobe. It is worth noting that these are in pristine condition which makes them all the more rare. All the findings are original.
Hobe was founded in 1887 by the French goldsmith Jacques Hobe as makers of fine jewellery. The costume jewellery division, Hobe Cie, was added 40 years later by his son, William Hobe, who brought the firm to America in 1927 and was commissioned by Flo Ziegfeld to design and manufacture jewellery for his Ziegfeld Follies costumes. By repute this is the origin of the expression costume jewellery. Production continued from the 1930s to the 1990s and the form of mark here suggests a more later dating within their range.
Victorian Silver Buckle set with Paste Stones, German circa 1900
Price: £85
This is a striking silver buckle of rectangular form with two bands of brilliant paste stones surrounding four stylised flower head paste stone clusters, the reverse plain and marked 900 which implies manufacture in Germany where the standard for silver was a minimum of 800 parts to 1000 with 900 parts to 1000 as one of the alternatives (as opposed to the more usually found 925). There is in addition a double mark with a star and a wheel which may well be the maker's mark, but this is hard to identify.
The sparkling stones and high quality mounting (there is a considerable weight of silver in this piece) would have made this buckle a notable addition to the Victorian ladies' wardrobe and it could equally well catch the eye today.
Ring Tail Lizard Skin Minaudiere with a strap handle marked JD, 1930s
Price: £95
The Minaudière is a women's fashion accessory intended to substitute for an evening bag. A case with compartments, it allows storage for several items in a small space, such as a makeup compact, lipstick, watch, reading glasses, or keys.Minaudières appeared during the 1930s and their invention is attributed to Charles Arpels, of Van Cleef & Arpels, but many jewellers and haute couture designers have created their own models.
This example opens out on one side (the clasp is rather stiff) to reveal a mirror and two lidded powder compacts (complete with the guaze liners) and a holder for a comb (now missing) and on the other where there is a cigarette holder and a compartment presumably for matches. On the lid of this is a pouch doubtless intended as a purse. At the end is a pull out lipstick holder with a small strap and the piece hangs from a strap handle marked with the initials JD.
The piece is in remarkable condition for its age and recalls an era of elegance which a contemporary user might emulate on some special occasion.
Indian wooden toy model of a Horse with metal fitments, early C20th
Price: £25
This is an amusing wood model of a horse, its right leg raised and the head looking expectantly forwards, the finely grained wood with metal fitments in brass and copper representing the ears, muzzle, saddle, saddle bags and tail, all with fine detailing and small nail fastenings. Many examples exist of these wood and metal horse figures which are usually held to have been made in India at Jodphur, Rajastan, in the early C20th. Presumably more intended for the local colonial audience these pieces have an obvious and wider appeal. The smaller sizes were probably intended as toys and perhaps the original owner of this piece played with it a little too vigorously which might explain the damage to the right front leg!
Classic black crocodile handbag 1940s
Price: £75
This is a very classic style bag in a square shape typical of the period. It is lined with black leather and is in excellent condition. The handle has been restored to it's original beauty and is ready for daily use. All you need are some white gloves and you are ready for anything!
Watercolour by Elisabeth Castle, Kent Landscape Scene, framed, late C20th
Price: £45
An original watercolour painting by the British artist Elizabeth Castle (1930 to 2011, according to the inscription on the reverse). Although a resident of outer London, Castle seems to have concentrated on Kentish landscape scenes and the composition of this picture, with oast houses and slightly abstract trees, is typical of her work. With a fairly muted palette of colours her paintings are always easy to the eye and a restful addition to an interior. Her work seems not to be signed but was always equipped with a printed label as here headed ‘Original paintings by Elizabeth Castle’ followed by her address and telephone number. (The format of the telephone number, used in London up until 1990 gives some idea of the date of the picture.) The gilt wood frame complements the painting well and both combine to produce a relaxing decorative accessory.
Striking continental silver modernist bracelet c1960
Price: £55
This a very beautiful and detailed bracelet comprising panels with organic shapes in front of coral like designs. It is marked Sterling Foreign 925. It seems that it should be attributed to a particular jewellery designer as it is so unique and high quality.
Constructed necklace with jade, egg yolk amber and cherry amber
Price: £250
This necklace is a wonderful design comprising cherry and egg yolk amber beads together with jade beads that end in a very large carved jade plaque. This is a vert fine example of Chinese carving with an allegorical motif of a dragons mouth around a smaller dragon. The jade is a golden spinach jade that is an unusual colour.
A Set of Six Blue and White Willow Pattern Coasters English Ironstone 1980s
Price: £25
A set of six Ironstone china coasters, decorated in the traditional 'Willow Pattern' with a typical Chinese landscape scene. Ironstone china is a type of vitreous pottery first made in the United Kingdom in the 19th century by potters in Staffordshire, England, as a cheaper, mass-produced alternative for porcelain. It is often associated with the firm founded by Mason in 1813 following his registration of a patent for the ware. Subsequently others manufactured it as well including William Turner and Josiah Spode. Essentially a product of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries there was a revival of interest in these traditional wares from the 1970s onwards and one of the manufacturers was the 'English Ironstone Tableware Ltd' which traded from 1973 to 1994 when it went into receivership. Their impressed mark can be seen on the back.
These coasters formed part of their range. The decoration employs the transfer pattern technique developed in England in the mid eighteenth century and a staple of nineteenth century productions. Printed designs were 'transferred' to the ceramic surface allowing the production of extensive services in a matching pattern. The Chinese derived 'Willow Pattern' design seems to have been first used around 1790 and was probably designed by Thomas Minton for Spode. All the versions contain similar elements besides the pagodas and landscape scenes most notably the three figures on a bridge and a pair of flying swallows. In order to promote sales, various stories were invented based on elements of the design. These coasters are an amusing recollection of times past and highly practical in addition.
Chinese Reverse Painted Glass Globe depicting deities and attendants, Modern
Price: £45
A Chinese Glass globe with thick walls, hollow inside and with a round opening at the base, reverse painted in great detail with deities and attendants amidst clouds, an eight character inscription to the side with a small red seal mark. Reverse painting is a technique often used by the Chinese for the decoration of snuff bottles where the brush is inserted through the opening at the top and the decoration applied. Here the decorative technique has been used on a rather larger object but with no diminution in the skill of the craftsman indeed the much larger 'canvas' must have proved quite demanding. By repute the decorators require at least one day to create a single example. Heavy, but a little lighter than the previous lot (41), and of extremely high quality glass, these pieces, of which various examples are known (there is another one as the previous lot to this) may have been intended as paperweights or more likely simply as decorative objects. Some are found with modern wood stands. This piece is sold with a contemporary illuminated stand which, when lit, serves to enhance the decorative effect (see image 6).
Chinese Reverse Painted Glass Globe depicting tigers, Modern
Price: £45
A Chinese Glass globe with thick walls, hollow inside and with a round opening at the base, reverse painted in great detail with three tigers in a landscape setting with bamboo, the base with an inscription 'Dick and Sadie'. Reverse painting is a technique often used by the Chinese for the decoration of snuff bottles where the brush is inserted through the opening at the top and the decoration applied. Here the decorative technique has been used on a rather larger object but with no diminution in the skill of the craftsman indeed the much larger 'canvas' must have proved quite demanding. By repute the decorators require at least one day to create a single example. Heavy and of extremely high quality glass, these pieces, of which various examples are known (there is another one as the following lot to this) may have been intended as paperweights or more likely simply as decorative objects. Some are found with modern wood stands. This piece is sold with a contemporary illuminated stand which, when lit, serves to enhance the decorative effect (see image 8).
Indian wooden toy model of a Horse with metal fitments, early C20th
Price: £25
This is an amusing wood model of a horse, its right leg raised and the head looking expectantly forwards, the finely grained wood with metal fitments in brass and copper representing the ears, muzzle, saddle, saddle bags and tail, all with fine detailing and small nail fastenings. Many examples exist of these wood and metal horse figures which are usually held to have been made in India at Jodphur, Rajastan, in the early C20th. Presumably more intended for the local colonial audience these pieces have an obvious and wider appeal. The smaller sizes were probably intended as toys and perhaps the original owner of this piece played with it a little too vigorously which might explain the damage to the right front leg!
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.
Wall plaque by Giovanni Schoeman depicting classical style figures, 1970s
Price: £75
A diamond shape wall plaque comprising over 40 small tablet form plaques in various colours and sizes, moulded in high relief with Art Nouveau style classical figures. This is the work of the artist Giovanni Schoeman (1940-1981) who was born in South Africa and worked in London and America. He was well known for working in the recently developed medium of ‘Cold Cast Resin Metal’. Metal powder, often bronze, was mixed with a resin binder and poured into a mould to produce a cast with the appearance of solid metal. Different metal powders such as brass, nickel and copper were also used depending on the effect desired and this plaque is an excellent example of the effects which could be achieved.
While Art Nouveau in style, Schoeman only perfected these techniques in the late 1960s, producing pieces in the style from a studio in Kentish Town which sold well in the London outdoor art markets. In the late 1970s, Schoeman moved to America with the intention of producing large scale art but the venture foundered and he died in 1981. This plaque, of which other examples are known, must have been one of his most popular designs in those London years and is a striking example of the techniques he developed and mastered.
Art Deco Czech glass necklace with enamel and glass stones, 1930s
Price: £45
This is a stunning statement necklace that is typical of Czech glass jewellery. It is inset with stones to emulate aquamarine. It also has unusual enamel work set on an architectural design that is quintessentially Art Deco. It is brass that would have been more gold in colour in its time.