Antique Pearlware Mocha Quart Mug Blue Banded with Black & White Snail Trail Earthworm Pattern Mocha decorated pottery is a type of dipped ware identified by its  More »

Antique Pearlware Mocha Quart Mug Blue Banded with Black & White Snail Trail Earthworm Pattern Mocha decorated pottery is a type of dipped ware identified by its “wet-surface” look decorated with crawling worms (‘earthworm’), swirling cats’ eyes, sea life (‘seaweed’), rolling waves, alternating bands of color, trees and cross-hatches and purely random squiggles. Mochware pieces were factory-made and lathe-turned. Their signature “wet surface“ look was achieved by coating pieces in a runny mixture of clay and water known as “slip,” then applying a tea made of tobacco juice, turpentine, hops, and even urine. The resulting chemical reaction formed dendritic patterns in the glaze. Other designs were painted, scratched or stamped on with fingers, brushes, or other objects, resulting in a multitude of layers and colors. Production may have begun as early as 1792. Many people assume that mochaware is named for the palette of colors it uses: browns, creams, grays, blacks, and muted tones of blue, green, pumpkin, and yellow. Instead., it refers to the Red Sea port of Mocha (now in modern day Yemen), a city associated in England with the export of dendritic, or moss agates (Mocha stone). The stone features natural striations similar to the ware’s seaweed- and tree-like decorations. Manufactured by potteries throughout Great Britain, France, and North America, mocha was the cheapest decorated ware available. Most British production went to export whereas France and North America manufactured for the home markets. Archaeological finds throughout the eastern United States suggest that mocha was used in taverns and homes, from lowly slave quarters to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and Poplar Forest. After the mid-19th century, British imports waned, with those potteries still making mocha concentrating on government-stamped capacity-verified measures (jugs and mugs) for use in pubs and markets. North American product was based entirely on yellow or buff-colored bodies banded in black with broad white slip bands on which the dendritic markings appeared. Some British makers used yellow-firing clay, too, but the bulk of the wares were based on white bodies, the earliest being creamware and pearlware, while later, heavier and thicker bodies resembled ironstone, known best to archaeologists simply as "whiteware". Because it was used on a daily basis, few examples of original mochaware have survived over the years, making it a rare American collectible. This piece is an English Pearlware Mocha Quart Mug ex-collection of William Lewan that is decorated in a blue banded with black and white snail trail earthworm pattern. It measures 6” high x 4 ½” in diameter. It has hairline cracks, but is nonetheless an extremely desirable piece.   « Less

Handsome complete working thumb-latch passage set for an exterior door, c.1910, found in a Tudor home in Detroit, MI. Cast in bronze, this door hardware set comes with a  More »

Handsome complete working thumb-latch passage set for an exterior door, c.1910, found in a Tudor home in Detroit, MI. Cast in bronze, this door hardware set comes with a passage lock as well as its interior and exterior thumb latches (enough hardware for one door). The cast bronze thumb latches feature a distinctive hammered design with stylized fleur-de-lis crowning each handle. Each handle measures 11-1/2” by 3-1/4”. The lock faceplate measures 4-1/2” by 1” and the lock body measures 3-7/16 x 2-5/8". NDKS188-RW   « Less

A gorgeous complete working thumb-latch set for an exterior door, made and signed by Welch in a fleur de lis design, and dating from the 1920’s - 1930’s.  More »

A gorgeous complete working thumb-latch set for an exterior door, made and signed by Welch in a fleur de lis design, and dating from the 1920’s - 1930’s. Retaining its original brass finish, this door hardware set consists of a large exterior handle with a thumb latch and a smaller coordinating interior handle; both feature a stylized fleur de lis accenting the top and bottom, they are accompanied by a matching thumb turn and decorative lock cylinder escutcheon. The larger handle measures 10-1/2” x 2-3/8”, and the smaller handle is 7-3/4” x 2". The mortise faceplate measures 7-1/8" x 1-1/8" and the body is 5-1/2" x 3-5/8". The thumb turn measure 1-3/4”x 1/2". NDKS189-RW   « Less

An attractive complete working thumb-latch set for an exterior door, made and signed by Welch and dating from the 1920’s - 1930’s. Retaining its original bronze  More »

An attractive complete working thumb-latch set for an exterior door, made and signed by Welch and dating from the 1920’s - 1930’s. Retaining its original bronze finish, this door hardware set consists of a large exterior handle with a thumb latch and a smaller coordinating interior handle; both feature a stylized quatrefoil that accent the top and bottom, and they are accompanied by a matching thumb turn and decorative lock cylinder escutcheon. The larger handle measures 9-7/8” x 2-1/2”, and the smaller handle is 7” x 1-7/8". The mortise faceplate measures 7-1/8" x 1-1/8" and the body is 5-1/2" x 3-5/8". The thumb turn mea-sure 1-3/4”x 1/2". NDKS191-RW   « Less

A charming pair of Art Deco antique white porcelain single-arm sconces, dating from the 1920’s and especially nice for use in a bathroom. The sconces feature sleek  More »

A charming pair of Art Deco antique white porcelain single-arm sconces, dating from the 1920’s and especially nice for use in a bathroom. The sconces feature sleek geometric back plates, extending forward to hold lovely, cylinder-shaped white porcelain bobeches. These wall lamps are in excellent condition; they have been professionally rewired. The sconces measure 6-3/4” tall, 3-3/4" wide and extend approx. 4-1/2” from the wall. NSP777-RW   « Less

Charming pair of antique carriage lights with original beveled glass panels. The carriage lights are painted copper held by bronze brackets, and feature an easy access to the  More »

Charming pair of antique carriage lights with original beveled glass panels. The carriage lights are painted copper held by bronze brackets, and feature an easy access to the bulb through a hinged panel on the side. These carriage lights are in very good condition. There is only one hairline crack in the glass as pictured, which is hardly noticeable and does not detract from its appeal; it has been professionally rewired and comes with all the necessary attachments for modern installation. Each light measures 3" wide, 6-1/8” tall, and projects 3-1/4" from the wall. NSP775-RW   « Less

Lloyd Ney was born March 8,1893 in Friedensburg Pa Ney was awarded the Cresson Travelling Scholarship in 1917 which he used following a brief tour in Europe. While  More »

Lloyd Ney was born March 8,1893 in Friedensburg Pa Ney was awarded the Cresson Travelling Scholarship in 1917 which he used following a brief tour in Europe. While Travelling in Europe he was exposed to and admired the works of Pablo Pacasso, Wassily Kindinsky and William Blake. This abstract was done in 1961. Sadly Lloyd Ney past away May 10th 1965. His works can still be seen at the Michener Art Museum.   « Less

Vintage micro mosaic brooch. Unusually, it depicts a bird among foliage as a centre piece, and a circular border with small medallions. Dating from the 1930s or earlier, this  More »

Vintage micro mosaic brooch. Unusually, it depicts a bird among foliage as a centre piece, and a circular border with small medallions. Dating from the 1930s or earlier, this would be made with tiny Venetian glass tiles mounted into a base metal surround. Brooch measures 32 mm diameter. It has some losses to the tiling: one little medallion is absent from the outside border, and also from the abdomen of the bird.   « Less

Four ceramic dishes for serving individual avocado halves - great for avocado vinaigrette or stuffed avocado. Sides emulate real avocados.

Four ceramic dishes for serving individual avocado halves - great for avocado vinaigrette or stuffed avocado. Sides emulate real avocados.   « Less

Elegant crystal pouring jar with faceted stopper. Measures abut 16.5 cm high and 9.2 cm diameter (6.1/2 inches by 3.5/8 inches). Excellent condition. Circa 1930s.

Elegant crystal pouring jar with faceted stopper. Measures abut 16.5 cm high and 9.2 cm diameter (6.1/2 inches by 3.5/8 inches). Excellent condition. Circa 1930s.   « Less