Excellent quality sterling silver presentation bowl decorated with a large repousse dragon wrapped around this entire huge surface. Decorative elements include exquisite  More »

Excellent quality sterling silver presentation bowl decorated with a large repousse dragon wrapped around this entire huge surface. Decorative elements include exquisite ocean motifs and floral chasing on the circular formed foot. The dragon holds a shell in one of her claws. Condition is very good. No flaws to note. The base of the bowl bears the Japanese marks for sterling silver.   « Less

Simply exquisite set of 6 dessert or fruit knives with engraved sterling silver blades, ferrules and mother of pearl handles. Made by Cardeilhac, silversmith to Napoleon III,  More »

Simply exquisite set of 6 dessert or fruit knives with engraved sterling silver blades, ferrules and mother of pearl handles. Made by Cardeilhac, silversmith to Napoleon III, the set is of unsurpassing quality. The handles are luminous and colorful, the ferriules elegantly decorated with scrolling acanthus and floral motifs and the condition is excellent.   « Less

Very nice set of vermeil silver coffee spoons in the original Rosewood presentation box. Highly decorative, with fruit and foliate elements. Grapes, leafs, vines and  More »

Very nice set of vermeil silver coffee spoons in the original Rosewood presentation box. Highly decorative, with fruit and foliate elements. Grapes, leafs, vines and scrolling acanthus with stylized shell accents. Condition is excellent; light signs of use only. The mark is hard to make out; the initials AV clear. I suspect this is an early Veyrat mark; but until I pin it down, the jury remains out. The set is monogrammed; although per usual I can't make out the letters. Perhaps 'AH'? Charming gift set as we approach June wedding season and Mother's Day you may wish to keep this set in mind.   « Less

A beautiful tea set. Produced by the renowned Maison Odiot, this set is notable for both it's superb decorative appeal as well as it's unusual weight. The swirling fluted  More »

A beautiful tea set. Produced by the renowned Maison Odiot, this set is notable for both it's superb decorative appeal as well as it's unusual weight. The swirling fluted bodies are emphasized by textured stripes. The tops and bottoms of the bodies are lavished with finely chased rocailles that undulate gently like molten silver. Handles are pierced and textured bands, a strapping effect, edged and attached with scrolling foliate accents, especially elaborate and finely chased at the points of attachment. The lids of pot and sugar mirror the body design, as do the delightful top knops. The top knops are attached to the lids upon elegant chased acanthus leaf quartets. The spout of the teapot highlights the molted silver effect, the base richly chased rocaille, the tip flowing rivers of silver drops, and further enhanced with a charming cartouche and large 'pearls'. The spout of the cream is fashioned in a form reminiscent of a large upside down bell flower, partially fluted, emerging from a foliate case, the edge of the spout 'dripping' more of that melted silver. Absolutely delicious set in very fine condition. Rare and unusual pattern, not to be missed! Dimensions: Tea pot is 8.5-9" tall, 7.5" diameter and weighs over 2 pounds! 1220 grams to be specific. the sugar also weighs over 2 pounds:985 grams. It is 7.25" tall, 8.5" long and 6" diameter. The cream is 5" tall, 6.25" long, 4.75" diameter and 435 grams. The combined weight in troy ounces is: 74.29. Marks: each piece bears the .950 sterling guarantee, the maker's mark for Maison Odiot, Prevost, Recipion & Cie, and the numeral 1234. This mark dates the set between 1894-1906. Condition: excellent. No notable flaws. I find no deformations, dings, dents. There is some tenacious tarnish and apparent aging to the original ivory heat insulators. What I would call usual signs of aging and use.   « Less

Fine vintage to antique pair of salad serving pieces, a spoon and fork, by renowned master smith Emile Puiforcat. Classic Louis XVI styling: partially fluted handles graced  More »

Fine vintage to antique pair of salad serving pieces, a spoon and fork, by renowned master smith Emile Puiforcat. Classic Louis XVI styling: partially fluted handles graced with finely chased acanthus leafs, laurel sprigs, berries and swags. A ribboned banded edge surrounds the cartouches at the bases, sans monograms! Ready for your proprietary interlaced initials. The plated tops boast a generous coating of gold. Condition is quite good. Some usual signs of wear. Minimal if any loss to the gilt. At some point it would appear that the fork top and handle were reglued together. This wonderful set comes with the original fitted box, itself in very good condition. Dimensions: The fork is 11" long, the spoon 10 7/8" long. The box is 12.5" long, 5.5" wide and 1.5" high. Marks: handles stamped with the .950 sterling guarantee for items intended for export and the maker's punch for Emile Puiforcat. The tops also stamped with the maker's mark; but in the square assigned to plate rather than the diamond shape reserved for sterling.   « Less

Very decorative antique French sterling silver jardiniere. Covered in repousse rocaille, floral and foliate sprays on a textured ground, and mounted atop four griffin's paw  More »

Very decorative antique French sterling silver jardiniere. Covered in repousse rocaille, floral and foliate sprays on a textured ground, and mounted atop four griffin's paw feet. All hand chased and patterned. Condition is very good; light signs of use, a ding on one of the cartouches and the interior has some staining. There is a later applied inscription on one of the cartouches: "4 September 1951". A beautiful piece to display floral arrangements at table or anywhere you want to show off both your silver and your flowers.   « Less

This is certainly an impressive 'hulier & vinaigrier': oil & vinegar cruet set. It is over one foot tall! Nearly 14" high, 9" wide and 4.75" deep, it towers over most  More »

This is certainly an impressive 'hulier & vinaigrier': oil & vinegar cruet set. It is over one foot tall! Nearly 14" high, 9" wide and 4.75" deep, it towers over most anything else. The original decanters, sans stoppers, are quite ornate: partial fluted bottom, a center row of large "pearls" then partial swirling fluting topped off with cut tiers; and this is cut crystal, the edges are sharp! In great condition as well, maybe a nip here or there. The silver decoration is classical in design; palmettos, scrolling acanthus feet, floral and foliate motifs and of course the very tall handle topped with an arc of circular balls, cornucopia sides and so much more. There are some flaws in the old silver, nothing serious; but a small tear in a few places (see photos for an idea of what they are like). The piece bears silver hallmarks in many places; these marks include the Vieillard or Michelange fineness guarantee 950 sterling and the Paris guarantee used from 1819-1838. As well we find the maker's mark on bottom, for Etienne-Auguste Courtois, active from 1834-1844. Hence this piece must date from 1834-1838.   « Less

This charming Dutch snuff box was made for export in 1886. It is fully hallmarked on top and bottom. The top is decorated with a figural grouping comprised of men at work, a  More »

This charming Dutch snuff box was made for export in 1886. It is fully hallmarked on top and bottom. The top is decorated with a figural grouping comprised of men at work, a woman and child and a man feeding a dog. The setting is elaborate, replete with cradle, workbench, stool and multiple implements for hearth and home. The bottom has a scrolling acanthus leaf border near the top. Dimensions: The oval box is 2 3/4" long, 2" wide and 3/4" thick. Condition: Very Good. Apart from light signs of use, the only really notable imperfection is a very slight alignment error. No doubt the hinge needs adjustment. Marks: The sterling guarantee mark, a sword, is on both top and bottom. The sword on bottom abuts a key, which indicates that the box was made for export. The maker's mark is on bottom, VS, the word 'HOLLAND' and some initials belonging to a prior owner. On top there can be found the city mark for Rotterdam and a date mark for 1886.   « Less

Good set of the huge French tablespoons and forks by renowned French master smith henin & Cie. There are 10 spoons and 22 forks, a 3 piece place setting for 10 with 2 extra  More »

Good set of the huge French tablespoons and forks by renowned French master smith henin & Cie. There are 10 spoons and 22 forks, a 3 piece place setting for 10 with 2 extra forks. This elegant pattern brilliantly executed includes lamberkins, rocaille and foliate elements. Condition is very good, no flaws to note. All pieces marked with Minerve 1st titre, the French guarantee that the fineness is .950/1000 sterling. All pieces also bear maker's marks, for both Henin & Cie and Henin & Vivier. Each piece monogrammed "CAG". The complete set weighs 89 troy ounces, that is over 6 pounds of the finest sterling in the world! And you cannot beat the price.   « Less

This is such an amazing ladle! I could not resist it.The very devil to photograph however. Dating from 1747, the ladle has an ebony handle and a silver bowl. It is  More »

This is such an amazing ladle! I could not resist it.The very devil to photograph however. Dating from 1747, the ladle has an ebony handle and a silver bowl. It is wonderfully decorated with a dragon's wings, neck and head. The mouth of the dragon is the spout for the ladle! So ingenious; I wish ladles were still designed this way, no messy spillage. A nice heavy piece, weighing over 106 grams! Condition is superb. No flaw to note. The Augsberg city mark is a bit rubbed, but still clear enough to read, as is the date letter. I have not, sadly, been able to pin down the name of the maker. A great addition to a collection!a   « Less