Unknown Objets d'Art and Vertu

Exceptionally rare antique Russian Icon of Saint Tryphon, the Patron Saint of wine growers, restauranteurs, falconers. Saint Tryphon's saint day is February 14th, according to the Old Calendar, which is the time for wine growers to prune their grape vines for an abundant harvest in the fall. This day became a wine festival celebrated with much drinking to toast the upcoming growing season, particularly in Greece, Macedonia and the surrounding Balkan Countries where wine is an important source of income. By extension, Saint Tryphon also came to be revered as the Patron Saint of restauranteurs and bar keepers. A Russian legend relating to Saint Tryphon is that Tsar Ivan the Terrible...

A stunning ceremonial Hindu marriage ornament, also called ‘thali’ or ‘kazhutthuru’ from Tamil Nadu, mid 19th Century. This impressive gold pendant shows th...

A fine signed Japanese silver jewelry box. In .950 sterling silver. With intricate engraved chrysanthemum decoration and a trefoil handle to the lid. The interior with a lacquered...

A very gorgeous and one of a kind, pair of Coral Pipes. The first pipe, weighs a total of 105.99 grams. The pipe is reddish - orange in colour, is completely natural, without the pre...

Antique Silver Table or Desk Cigar Cutter London 1903 W. H. Webber. Adjustable screw to allow access to cigar clippings. Cutting mechanism activated when pressed down from the top. F...

A charming antique vesta case (match safe) featuring a beautifully hand-painted enamel portrait of a long-haired dog adorned with a red bow against a soft blue background. Crafted ci...

A Pair of 19th Century Marble Vases, with Ormolu Mounts. The rim and collar with rope twist and hatched banding, surrounding the outswept neck, over the classical ovoid body, taperin...

Rectangular dance case in gilded bronze and red colored metal with moire reflections. The gilded bronze mount is finely chiseled with floral friezes, doves ...

An Italian brown leather box with gold embossing, circa mid-20th century, Italy. A small, rectangular Italian leather box with fleur-de-lis desig...

A fantastic antique pietra dura panel... Pietra Dura- precisely cut hardstones with a carefully chosen colour palette which are arranged to form a pattern or image, typically set wit...

A charming and highly collectible Victorian sterling silver and enamel vesta case, featuring a whimsical hand-painted enamel panel depicting a humorous scene with the caption: "Home ...

Pair of Antique Gold and Enamel Musical Harps These rare harps showcase exquisite hand-painted enamel. Their bodies are adorned with red enamel, with a lapis lazuli column accente...

A Natural Handmade Brown Golden Tiger Iron Interior Design Jewelry Box. The pattern looks like an artful painting of nature. It should be emphasize...

An antique amethyst, and yellow gold propelling pencil, in 9 karat yellow gold. My favourite thing about this Antique Yellow Gold Pencil is the elegant floral design. What’s yours?...

maker's mark A.A. , Moscow 1892 Realistically modelled, the back pierced with engraved floral motif,the flat-hinged cover,on four bracket feet, height 9,5cm weight 70,4gr.

This elegant pair of Art Deco jewellery pots date to 1920, beautifully combining fine cut glass with sterling silver lids. Each lid is fully hallmarked for Birmingham 1920, featuring...

Fine Fountain Pen studded in Round Brilliant Diamonds using Stainless Steel. Months are spent making just 1 of these pens. Inquire for others in our inve...

A rare and delightful late 19th-century gilt-brass vesta case with hand-painted enamel scenes, in the tradition of playful Continental "novelty" smoking accessories. The exterior lid depicts a gentleman seated on a riverbank fishing, while a lady stands nearby. Below, a hand-painted French inscription reads: “Entagaînant le goujon jéveux”, which loosely translates as “Catching the gudgeon I desire.” In French slang of the period, “gudgeon” (goujon) was both a small fish and a playful metaphor for a naïve “catch,” giving the scene a humorous double meaning. Opening the case reveals a hidden risqué scene: the same couple, but with the lady having taken a tumble, her skirts up and legs in the air, much to the surprise of her companion. The interior enamel is inscribed in French “Les surprises de Suzon” (“Suzon’s surprises”), a humorous and cheeky detail typical of these whimsical 19th-century objets de vertu. The case is of gilt brass with a ribbed striking surface to the base and retains its original hinged construction. The enamel is beautifully executed in vivid colors and remains in very good condition for its age, with only minor wear consistent with use. Dimensions: Approx. Length 4.6 cm, Width 3,7 cm, Height 1.1 cm. Weight: 39 grams Origin: France, circa 1880–1900 Materials: Gilt brass, enamel Condition: Very good antique condition with light surface wear; enamels intact and vibrant. This piece would make a superb addition to any collection of antique smoking accessories...

French tri-colored, red, green and yellow 18Kt gold pencil case decorated with applied classical lobes, swags and festoons of flowers. French rubbed mark, circa 1810 Width: 12 mm H...

Antique French yellow gold lorgnette with folding round lenses Handle is set with white gold flowerhead and leaves, eleven rose-cut diamond...

Rare and unusual Art Nouveau 14K two tone gold and enamel pill box. It features an enamel top with grape leaves motif around it; also features an intri...

To make this collector's item now, with top-notch Italian craftsmanship, would cost about €20,000 This powder box is an embodiment of sheer elegance and sophistication, a vintage tr...

Please check out the HD video! In addition to being a status symbol, wearing jade traditionally has been known to grant the user good luck, health, prosperity and longevity. From our extensive Jade collection...

Byzantine Empire, circa 900 – 1100 AD. The collection consists of four museum rarity carved gem cameos attributed to the following saints: A 18.02 carat ...

Art Deco 18k gold vanity cosmetic case, including a compact, lipstick and additional small compartment. Decorated with enamel top (small chip on enamel on one corner). Box measures 3...

Elegant Pen in 830 silver with sleek machine engraved body for conventional graphite rods. Made in Germany in ca 1930s. Swedish customs hallmarks, bail with original German 800 hallm...

This wonderfully chunky and excellently modelled 18K turtle has been mounted as a pendant / brooch by Munich master-goldsmith, Günther Hahn. The lovely animal is decorated with 40 di...

This charming and beautifully detailed vintage sterling silver and gold powder compact features intricate hand engraving to create a delightful and...

This Victorian unmounted Carnelian shell cameo depicting the right-facing profile of the Princess is very well carved in exquisite detail. The surface is as crisp as the day it was crafted, impressive for a shell cameo from the late Victorian era. This would date back to around the 1860s-1890s. The carving on this cameo is excellent and well-detailed, with good relief. This was carved by an excellent carver, as were most Victorian cameos. This loose cameo...

A fantastic antique masquerade patch box pendant dating to the Georgian period, circa 1780. Its modelled as a masked lady, set with the most fine hand painted porcelain work. She wea...

This stunning vintage compact box, crafted from solid 18K yellow gold, remains in near-original splendor, virtually unused over time. Its timeless design radiates elegance, preserved with a brilliance that speaks to its immaculate care and craftsmanship. A collectible piece, it embodies both beauty and functionality. Gold: 18K yellow gold, total weight 105 grams Stamp: 750 Condition: Virtually unused, original splendor intact Perfect for collectors, this gold compact...

Enamelled gold handbag box in the shape of a shell. The finely chased gold is adorned with geometric guilloché and enhanced with translucent opalescent white and royal blue enamels, ...

This 1930s authentic compact box with a lipstick holder, a powder compartment and a vanity mirror underneath the flap is crafted in solid 14K yellow gold, ...

We love our wonderfully esoteric Grotesque man (or "other") crafted by a talented unknown carver in the 19th century from a chunk of the most desirable orange-red toned coral. Connoisseurs of literature or theater or the arts understand the term Grotesque as referring to fantastical, exaggerated or distorted representations, usually of the human face or figure. (The word "grotesque" originates from the Italian "grottesca", meaning of a cave" (grotto = cave in Italian) and refers to doubled, metamorphosed, or altered forms). Originally Italian, the concept of the Grotesque was used in French and German literature as well, and is a an integral part of English literature and theatre (The Theatre of the Grotesque preceded the Theatre of the Absurd) today. We find our Grotesque stickpin guy (gal) to be not grotesque at all but endearing, with his (or her) exaggerated features and droopy skin folds. And as a reference to classic theatre, this coral stickpin...

This shell cameo in the form of a rounded rectangle was carved around 1900 ca. out of a three layered shell. The bottom layer is of a dark fudge colour, the next layer of a deep purp...

This fantastic, bold double sided desk seal dates from the Victorian period, circa 1860. Its modelled as the hands clasped motif, and in rich 18 karat gold throughout. At each end, t...

This rare and beautifully crafted antique jewellery box dates to the very start of Queen Victoria’s reign in 1837. The domed lid is made of sterling silver, intricately adorned with ...

This elegant silver handbag is made out of engraved silver and delicate silver mesch. The bulge of the bag is made out of silver and impressed, cut and engraved with flower, flower ...

A girl, head and shoulders, her dark hair in ringlets, on grey back, gilt-metal mounted Oval, 70mm high Within ebonized square frame.

This most amazing hair pin was handcrafted in China in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. It is designed as a bouquet of flowers with a butterfly.

Three decorative porcelain serving dishes, including a circular dish and oval dish with handles. Two of the dishes are by Schumann-Bavaria in the 'CHATEAU' pattern and are hand pain...

Please check out the HD video! In addition to being a status symbol, wearing jade traditionally has been known to grant the user good luck, health, prosperity and longevity. From our extensive Jade collection...

Aigrette Lily Comb Victorian Trembling Sapphires Old-cut Diamonds, 1880 Created around 1880. Lily flowers are often used as a heraldic symbol. It symbolizes purity and innocence, ...

A simple and elegant antique silver pot featuring a soft domed lid and a warm gilt interior. The design is minimal yet timeless, allowing the craftsmanship to speak for itself. Altho...

Greek Sterling Silver Heart Pill Box With JN Monogram - This Greek heart shaped pill box in sterling silver has a JN Monogram etched on top. Gold wash inside the box. Size: 42.98 ...

A rare and elegant Bic 50th Anniversary Sterling Silver Ballpoint Pen crafted in solid 925 sterling silver. This premium edition of the iconic BIC pen features a sleek, hexagonal des...

This set of six sterling silver buttons are decorated with a Tudor rose on turquoise ground surrounded by a turquoise circle. Each button is impressed with the left facing lion for s...

Antique Victorian perfume bottle. This unusual little bottle featured a cranberry glass with a silver screw top. The piece would have been in...

This stunning antique belt buckle was created in 1835 ca. It was intended to be worn around the waste. It is set with 16 round chalcedony cabochons. The stones are set in a buckle ma...

A fine vintage 18 karat yellow gold brooch in the form of a poodle; part of our vintage jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine 18k yellow gold brooch has been realistically modelled in the form of a poodle. The poodle is further embellished with inset ruby eyes and a broad collar with link chain. The poodle is secured to the reverse with a bar pin and safety catch. The hallmarks struck to the underside of the poodle's body include the 18k fineness mark (18) (.750) and the London Import Hallmarks. Images do not always reflect the true color and brilliance of gemstones and diamonds. The video however provides a truer representation of the actual color and showcases each stone. Condition This vintage poodle brooch...

Solid silver Cocker Spanieln very good vintage condition. Dimensions: Height 36 mm / 1..417 inches - Length 45 mm / 1.771 inches - Weight 34 grams. It is stamped with the Silver Ita...

Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this lovely hand made in Russia solid silver with gold gilt internals Cloisonne Enamel cigarette case...

COX's celestial pocket globe made up of twelve gores and laid to the ecliptic poles, the axis through the celestial poles, the equatorial graduated in degrees, hours and minutes, the...

A stunning vintage, Art Deco snuff box. Beautifully crafted from pretty panels of lustrous Mother of Pearl in an oval shape, it has an 18 karat yellow gold rim, marked and tested. The top is set with a gorgeous silver cobweb design setting which houses over 1.2ct of rose cut and round cut diamonds and a fine rich deep green octagonal cut emerald. The edge of the box has a small lip...

Solid silver turtle very good vintage condition. Dimensions: Height 14 mm / 0.511 inches - Length 29 mm / 1.141inches - Weight 10 grams. It is stamped with the Silver Italian Mark 8...

Solid silver fallow deer, in very good vintage condition. Dimensions: Height 68 mm / 2.67 inches - Length 66 mm / 2.59 inches - Weight 45 grams. It is stamped with the Silver Italia...

This set of six unusual buttons was created in the 1880s in England. The buttons are carved out of different coloured marble. Each button is decorated with a coiled snake. The snake’...

Highly collectable, this Black Forest Tobacco Jar Side table is meticulously carved from walnut in a form of a bear climbing a finely deta...

Small kt18 gold bag with diamond finish 8x8 . semi-rigid braided sheet of exquisite workmanship circa 1960 size 9x5.5x2 cm weighing 112 gr

Unusual, custom hand - made and very likely and one of a kind Jewelry Flower Stand ! Realistically modeled coiled stem, petals, adjustable filaments with hinged / moving anthers ....