Spoils of Time Asian Ceramics and Works of Art
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All Items : Archives : Decorative Art : Handiwork : Wood : Pre 1980 item #1013433
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Sold at auction on Cyberattic
A small Bavarian sculpted wood figural group of Saint Francis of Assisi liberating the wild doves on their way to market. As the storied event goes, the young man surrendering the doves was also invited (and obliged) to become a friar in the Order. Note the original story from "The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi", the Fioretti (Vicenza, 1476.) This masterful (if miniature) wooden sculpture is about 4 3/4 inches tall including the attached base (about 4 inches tall without.) The base with label attached: "holzschnitzereien, Toni Baur, Oberammergau". Unpainted and in very good condition. This wood carving does not seem to be as commonly available a subject from the Garmisch carvers and is a bit more complex and sensitively executed than most with two, interacting figures.

A fine religious theme for a holiday gift. Will ship this within the United States for free if sold at auction (priority and insurance extra).

All Items : Archives : Fine Art : Paintings : Oil : Pre 1900 item #1047460 (stock #1234)
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Ship's portrait of the "Eagle Hull" (named on the stern and on a pennant.) Port side view and Stern view. Recently out of an estate where it had hung since the 60's. Likely a British ship and fitted with gun ports, a hasty search shows the red ensign was also used by Britain's colonies (or "subjects"). An informed maritime scholar can no doubt place things more precisely given the other flag with apparently Swedish colors. We have learned the Swedish colors may have been flown in Swedish waters to signal "friend". A small flag also depicts the initials "H.W." Amusingly, the flags and pennants were over painted on the stern view - perhaps to quiet the redundancy of the portrait. The top hats worn by some of the crew suggest possible dates ranging from early to mid 19th century. The mast figurehead is an eagle. Lighthouses appear to the left and other vessels in the distance. Condition appears good with minor repairs evident upon visual inspection. The old canvas does appear to have been laid over another some time ago. Some old varnish along the top could be cleaned (we won't fool with it.) The color is not as dark as these photos where we have tried to avoid glare. The frame is later and some touch up to gilding transferred to the canvas but should clean easily. No signature found visually (have not taken out of frame to check the stretched margins.) Stretcher height: 22 inches (55.9 cm), width: 32 1/2 inches (82.5 cm). Shipping will be additional and must account for reinforced packaging (with or without frame per buyers choice.)
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1980 item #1051076
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A fine, 20th century Fukagawa Seiji vase. Delicately decorated with bird in branch and lightly colored blossoms all against a pale blue background. Rim crisply defined. Fuji and four character mark inside broad foot ring. Good condition. 9 1/2 inches tall (24.1 cm)
All Items : Archives : Pre 1980 item #1052904
Spoils of Time
Sold in Vervendi auction
Vintage spinach jade bangle bracelet. Sparse engraved decoration on untested silver colored metal joint, clasp and chain. Clasp is somewhat worn but still provides a tight, friction fit. Otherwise good condition. 20th century. Diameter, 3 1/8 in. (inside 2 5/16 in.)
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Pre 1800 item #1053582
Spoils of Time
sold in Vervendi auction to Singapore
A bronze stag and rider. The rider a bearded and robed scholar - silver inlay adorning his attire. The deer with inlaid spotting - "splashes" of silver and copper. The two together forming an incense burner. Ca 1800. Overall height 7 in., Stag only height (to highest point) 6 3/16 in.

The censer having been over cleaned at least once in its history. Two hands detached from the rider and missing. A retaining pin would loosely secure the rider to the stag where the two are sympathetically pierced. Evidence of a repair attempt of the missing hands. This remains a promising restoration project in the proper hands.

This censer was an estate item purchased in the early '90s from the venerable Grapevine Antiques consignment shop in Bethesda, Maryland in its final days before Mrs. Gloria Grant sold to new management.
All Items : Archives : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Coin : Pre 1837 VR item #1060682
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Pair coin silver serving spoons. Each with Fiddle and Shell pattern and faintly monogrammed "NP". Both marked "C" within six point star mark. Presumably American Federal period. Each overall length: 9 7/8", bowl length: 2 7/8". One weighs 1.6 oz (46 grams) and the other weighs 1.5 oz (42 grams) for a total of just over 3oz.
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Pre 1900 item #1060699
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Sold to Beijing
Arrow vase of rectangular sectioned, lozenge form tapering from the broad, flared foot toward more gradually flared rim. Typical tubular decorative devices flanking the neck. The rim apparently polished down a little and reglazed (perhaps trying to match the caramel colored glaze found inside the foot.) Some loss to one of the tubular devices and less consequentially from the foot where glaze overflow was also ground flush. Otherwise acceptable and presentable condition. 19th century. Height 7 3/8 inches
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1837 VR item #1060937
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sold in Vervendi auction
A fine Japanese Rimpa school lacquer box. Grasses and floral decoration in gold lacquer on a black ground. A once silver or pewter tone crescent moon adorns the cover - indicating a night scene. Original silk brocade lining. Edo period. A fair bit of distress - mostly on corners and edges. An early box and a promising restoration project in the right hands. Length: 6 1/2 in. (16.51 cm), Height: 4 in. (10.16 cm), Depth 3 3/4 in. (9.53 cm)
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Southeast Asian : Pre 1920 item #1060974
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Indonesian, or more specifically West Java, stick puppet - Wayang Golek. Familiar with these from an exhibition at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco some years prior, we acquired this puppet, from a Maryland antiques market, due to its apparent character and whimsical decorative quality. Not our usual interest, we recognized the obvious hand craftsmanship and age. There is some wear to the puppet's garment (including some small holes and tears to the robe) and some distress to the face (some paint loss which can be seen in the photographs.) Otherwise, this is a good and probably large antique specimen in reasonably presentable and functional condition requiring a caring and knowledgeable home. How to measure this? Height from top of headdress to hem of the robe is 28 in. (71.12 cm). The head alone is about 8 inches (20.32 cm) from the nose tip to headdress tip.
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1940 item #1064256
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sold in Vervendi auction
Three fine 20th century Japanese lacquer trays. Each with boats and pine decoration in gold tones upon a dark brown ground. The trays gradually bowed and of square shape but with slightly curved sides and raised on four, shaped feet. 11 1/16" x 11 1/8" (about 28cm square). Reasonably good condition with some light abrading easily enough cared for by a specialist.

Together with another, 19th century tray (bottom portion of a box now missing its cover) with beautiful cranes decoration. 11 3/8" square (about 29cm square). Some distress, mostly corners and edges (we try to show in photographs.) Worthy of the care of an able restorer - additional photographs provided upon inquiry.

All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1920 item #1065543
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sold in Vervendi auction
A set of five Imari covered bowls. Condition for all is excellent. Part of a group just out of a diplomatic estate. Japanese porcelain sets traditionaly came in groups of five. Four was considered bad luck and larger sets were generally odd numbers. With slight variation, the bowls are between approximately 4 1/4" (10.8cm) to 4 3/8" (11.1cm) diameter and 2 5/16" (5.9cm) height. The covers are about 4" (10.2cm) diameter. Matches our listings 1065548 and 1065550 for form, size and decoration and matches 1065552 for form and decoration.
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1920 item #1065548
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sold in Vervendi auction
Three Imari covered bowls. Each bowl with a tight hairline from the rim - one of these issuing from a small chip (see enlarged views.) One cover with craze lines inside the foot - one line showing through the other side. Part of a group just out of a diplomatic estate. The bowls are between approximately 4 1/4" (10.8cm) to 4 3/8" (11.1cm) diameter and 2 5/16" (5.9cm) height. The covers are about 4" (10.2cm) diameter. Matches our listings 1065543 and 1065550 for form, size and decoration and matches 1065552 for form and decoration.
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1920 item #1065550
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sold in Vervendi auction
Pair of Imari covered bowls. Condition for both is very good (one with minute enamel loss inside the bowl and one the other with an almost imperceptible minute craze inside the foot.) Part of a group just out of a diplomatic estate. With slight variation, the bowls are between approximately 4 1/4" (10.8cm) to 4 3/8" (11.1cm) diameter and 2 5/16" (5.9cm) height. The covers are about 4" (10.2cm) diameter. Matches our listings 1065548 and 1065543 for form, size and decoration and matches 1065552 for form and decoration.
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1920 item #1065552
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sold in Vervendi auction
This Imari covered bowl, though matching our listings 1065543, 1065548 and 1065550 for form and decoration, is a little larger in size. In excellent condition, it is just out of a diplomatic estate. The bowl is about 4 7/8" (12.38cm) diameter and 2 5/8" (6.67cm) high. The cover is about 4 1/2" (11.43cm) diameter.
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Pre 2000 item #1065588
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sold in Vervendi auction to UK
A whimsical Yixing pottery figural group depicting a mature and a young rat in hollowed, half log with a cache of three peanuts. Marked with two impressed seals. Out of our comfort zone with this category (perhaps another's gain) and assuming it likely is a later 20th century item. About 4 1/2" (11.43cm) high, 6" (15.24cm) long, and about 3" (7.62) wide at the base. Condition is excellent.
All Items : Archives : Decorative Art : Metals : Bronze : Pre 1920 item #1067392
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sold in Vervendi auction
A stunning fire patinated bronze vase. The mottled verdigris background in contrast with copper red patinated areas of resist in leaf patterns complete with veining to the leaves and texture to the sustaining twigs. This seems to be of a good quality bronze alloy - emitting a bell resonance when lightly struck. Unmarked but consistent with German and Austrian work from the early 20th century. Acquired from the same source as a marked WMF Ikora vase we are also offering. Quite good condition with only light wear and no real distress. Height is just over 3 1/2" (9cm)
All Items : Archives : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Sterling : Pre 1837 VR item #1067649
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Two silver King's Pattern spoons. We acquired these with a larger set (which we are offering separately) some years ago. We aren't calling these sterling as one is not marked and one has worn marks not easily made out (on the back appears to be a worn head mark and very small initials P and Q flanking a worn device and on the front is an indiscernable mark above the bowl.) This one is a close match to a larger, Georgian set we are also offering at auction but this spoon may be from another country - perhaps France. The other spoon appears to lack marks though it appears to be a precise match to the larger, Georgian set we are offering separately (perhaps this spoon lost the marks in a repair?) Each length about 5 1/2" (13.9cm) and 30g each (total 60g or 2.1oz). Condition appears to be very good for both. We have tested both spoons with a nitric acid and potassium dichromate solution. The marked spoon (nearly matching our other lot of 8) resulted in a slightly lighter red but both confirmed high silver content. The unmarked spoon (precisely matching our other lot of 8 - even for wear - and likely English of the same period) we guarantee to meet or exceed the 925 sterling standard.
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1900 item #1070141
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In good keeping with the Koransha tradition, this vase demonstrates the imagination and creativity of the Fukagawa ceramists and is reminiscent of their design books. First thinking it might be a gourd form, it becomes apparent it must be a melon form - more consistent with the suggestion of Spring with the blue and white prunus and cracked ice background to the polychrome mountainous landscape with black pine and secluded retreats in green, yellow, aubergine, orange and gold enamel. The neck succeeds in its suggestion of the nurturing vine even with slight list to one side, joined to the elongated melon form body with undulating ribbed sides. The rim of the small opening is gilt. Very good condition: Though a minute line appears inside the rim, it is clearly in the firing and not a damage (see next to last enlargement) - more a crawling of the glaze and definitely not a fracture. The rim emits a clear and sure resonance when lightly struck. The Koransha orchid mark appears in underglaze blue inside the foot rim. Height: 10 1/4 inches (26cm)