This tortoise butterfly brooch, circa 1850, is embellished with turquoise, pearl, garnets and fine cannetille work in gold. A similar piece is pictured in Vivienne Becker''s  More »

This tortoise butterfly brooch, circa 1850, is embellished with turquoise, pearl, garnets and fine cannetille work in gold. A similar piece is pictured in Vivienne Becker''s ''Antique & Twentieth Century Jewelry'' - plate 8. The price is $2865 We accept VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, and AMERICAN EXPRESS. We are happy to send items on approval. ALL MERCHANDISE HAS A FULL MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.   « Less

Fantastic Wakazashi or Tanto carved in highly polished bone and possibly some ivory elements. This is one of the nicest swords there is in this genre. Circa 1880 and a master  More »

Fantastic Wakazashi or Tanto carved in highly polished bone and possibly some ivory elements. This is one of the nicest swords there is in this genre. Circa 1880 and a master carving job by Japanese Meiji artists. Look closely at the depth and detail of all the elements of this sword. Includes a dozen or so inlaid mother of pearl and abalone pieces. Pierced in spots and inlaid horn eyes. A few minor restorations and age lines missing one horn inlay. Overall very good condition and a highlight piece. 14'' long Status: For Sale Reference#: 537_3741 Condition: vg Year: 1900   « Less

Very nice 3 pc set from master silver smith Damaso Gallegos. It includes the inner bowl the outer filigreed shell and a sterling spoon. Superb workmanship, measures a little  More »

Very nice 3 pc set from master silver smith Damaso Gallegos. It includes the inner bowl the outer filigreed shell and a sterling spoon. Superb workmanship, measures a little over 2'' across and is in excellent condition. Gallegos is featured in Bille Hougart''s book on Mexican Silver marks on page 69. Hougart states that Gallegos''s taller was called La Amatista and he opened this taller after he worked for Hector Aguilar at Taller Borda. An interesting Taxco connection is that Gallegos was married to Maricela''s sister. Gallegos is also featured on pages 154 - 157 in Penny Morrill & Carole Berk''s book entitled Mexican Silver who indicate that Gallegos and Spratling shared a strong friendship, partly due to their common interest in Mexican coins and artifacts. Status: For Sale Reference#: IMG_2960 Condition: vg Year: 1940   « Less

Exceptional John Hoare cut glass vase that is a extremely fine example of American Brilliant cut glass from its golden age. Stands over 12'' tall and is girthy with a  More »

Exceptional John Hoare cut glass vase that is a extremely fine example of American Brilliant cut glass from its golden age. Stands over 12'' tall and is girthy with a beautiful checked etching and a star top. very good condition with no teeth missing or chipped. Overall condition is at least an 8 or 9 out of 10. Minor wear as per normal and signed on the base. Excellent example and a beautiful piece to add to any cut glass collection. Status: For Sale Reference#: IMG_2953 Condition: VG minor chips as normal Year: 1900   « Less

An amazing set of Opera Glasses with a beautifully carved mother of pearl handle. The ginbari style enamel glows and throws off light as it is turned to the light. Never seen  More »

An amazing set of Opera Glasses with a beautifully carved mother of pearl handle. The ginbari style enamel glows and throws off light as it is turned to the light. Never seen a set like this one. Most unique and unusual. Measures 8 1/2'' across (with handle. Condition is extremely good with no missing enamel or mother of pearl inserts. Brass body shows discoloration as expected and would clean easily if so desired. Circa 1890 and as fabulous a set to add to a collection as any available. Status: For Sale Reference#: 124_2473 Condition: ex Year: 1890   « Less

Important Satsuma vase Presented to Benjamin Harrison the 23rd US President by the Japanese Ambassador. The Harrison presidency presided over an important era in American  More »

Important Satsuma vase Presented to Benjamin Harrison the 23rd US President by the Japanese Ambassador. The Harrison presidency presided over an important era in American Japanese relations. The McKinley act was passed in 1890 which increased and decreased tariffs to countries around the world. Japan was particularly affected by the potential of this legislation and it would seem quite fitting that the Japanese government would see fit to recognize this fact and bring gifts to the President and his wife. According to the family this vase was among several gifts given to the President and his family by the Japanese Ambassador in a hope to curry favor with the legislation at hand. The McKinley act also for the first time required the country of origin to be placed on imports. Japan wanted to comply to the McKinley Tariff Act but somehow had to translate their country name into a form that could be used by Westerners. Many people may think that it would not have been a big deal, however one should hold in mind that for example any US manufacturer would never mark items ''Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika'' instead of ''USA'' just because they want to export to Germany/Austria and Switzerland. With other words local patriotism and easy international readability had to be taken into mind. Japan came up with Nippon a combination of the two symbols that make up the Japanese mark. Harrison himself had this to say in his 1890 State of the Union Address. ''The revision of our treaty relations with the Empire of Japan has continued to be the subject of consideration and of correspondence. The questions involved are both grave and delicate; and while it will be my duty to see that the interests of the United States are not by any changes exposed to undue discrimination, I sincerely hope that such revision as will satisfy the legitimate expectations of the Japanese Government and maintain the present and long-existing friendly relations between Japan and the United States will be effected.'' This vase along with the provenance of written history by the great grand daughter of President Benjamin Harrison a calling card from her as a child and a original calling card from the Mrs. Benjamin Harrison accompanies this vase as an important piece of US Japanese history. Its is in extremely good condition for its age with just the most minor of rub. Stands about 12'' tall and has very good girth. An impressive piece of US history. Inscription is untranslated and larger pics of the presentation writing is available via email. Status: For Sale Reference#: 122_2273 Condition: vg minor rub Year: 1890   « Less

Very nice quality Daum Nancy cameo glass vase. Very interesting panels of ice chipped finish between fire polished alternating bands. Circa 1910 and condition is very good  More »

Very nice quality Daum Nancy cameo glass vase. Very interesting panels of ice chipped finish between fire polished alternating bands. Circa 1910 and condition is very good with an unusual neck finish that could be original but may not be. Very unusual and rare piece of Daum good for any collection of cameo glass. Stands about 4'' tall and is about equally round. Status: For Sale Reference#: 123_2306 Condition: vg Year: 1910   « Less

Really nice Art Deco style mottled Daum Nancy vase. Good yellows and orange tinge on top and nice dark blues on the base. Circa 920. Signed in acid cameo relief. Perfect  More »

Really nice Art Deco style mottled Daum Nancy vase. Good yellows and orange tinge on top and nice dark blues on the base. Circa 920. Signed in acid cameo relief. Perfect condition and about 5'' tall. Nice addition to any glass collection. Status: For Sale Reference#: 123_2311 Condition: EX Year: 1920   « Less

Very neat Chinese tea caddy even with some possibly original tea. Very cool late Qing early Republic piece with a bit of the original tea. About 5'' tall. Condition is very  More »

Very neat Chinese tea caddy even with some possibly original tea. Very cool late Qing early Republic piece with a bit of the original tea. About 5'' tall. Condition is very good. Circa 1910. Status: For Sale Reference#: 124_2462 Condition: EX Year: 1910   « Less

Exceptionally rare Makuzu Kozan embossed or basketweave vase. I''ve had this vase in my personal collection for many years and have never seen another embossed vase offered  More »

Exceptionally rare Makuzu Kozan embossed or basketweave vase. I''ve had this vase in my personal collection for many years and have never seen another embossed vase offered for sale ever. Very very rare and a beautiful piece by Japan''s master Studio potter. Perfect condition and signed properly on base. Stands 8'' tall with base and approximately 7'' without it. Circa 1900 and a highlight piece to any Japanese Meiji art collection. Status: For Sale Reference#: 123_2355 Condition: EX Year: 1900   « Less