M.S. Rau Collectibles and Curiosities
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Spun Brass Bed Warmer
Located in New Orleans, LA
Spun Brass Bed Warmer
Early 19th century
This bed warmer exemplifies Federal period craftsmanship, a time when utilitarian objects were also works of art. The spun brass constructio...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century American Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Brass
French 18th-Century Master's Lock
Located in New Orleans, LA
French Master’s Lock
18th Century
Ingeniously crafted with a hidden mechanism, this 18th-century French lock known as a serrure de maîtrise, or master’s lock, was likely used by saf...
Category
Antique 18th Century Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Iron
Leitz Brass Compound Microscope
By E. Leitz
Located in New Orleans, LA
Brass Compound Microscope in Case
Ernst Leitz
Dated 1897
This rare late 19th-century compound microscope was crafted by the renowned optical firm Ernst Leitz GmbH of Wetzlar, German...
Category
Antique 19th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Optical Glass, Wood
World War II Ten-Rotor T52 Enigma Machine
Located in New Orleans, LA
Ten-Rotor T52 "Geheimschreiber" Cipher Machine
Dated 1944
This extraordinary Ten-Rotor T52 Cipher Machine, also known as the Geheimschreiber, represents the pinnacle of German wartime cryptography and stands as one of the rarest encryption devices from World War II. Manufactured in 1944 during the final phase of the conflict, this sophisticated cipher machine—codenamed "Sturgeon" by Allied intelligence—was exclusively deployed in high-level German command centers for their most sensitive communications. Its exceptional historical significance and extreme rarity make it arguably the most important cryptographic artifact available to private collectors today.
The T52 presents a commanding physical presence that reflects its technological sophistication. Substantially larger and more complex than standard three or four-rotor Enigma machines, this teleprinter-based device features an imposing mechanical construction with ten precisely engineered rotating pinwheels arranged in intricate patterns. Its comprehensive keyboard system and internal mechanical components demonstrate the extraordinary engineering achievements of wartime German cryptographers. The machine's robust metal casing, designed for operational durability in high-command environments, remains in remarkable condition, preserving its historical integrity.
The T52 series, manufactured by Siemens & Halske in Berlin, represented a family of cipher machines that evolved through several increasingly complex models. Unlike the simpler Enigma machines which required manual operation, the T52 functioned as an online teleprinter encryption system capable of automatically processing high volumes of communications at 50 baud (approximately 66 words per minute). This automation allowed for real-time secure communication between German high command centers, with messages encrypted and decrypted without the need for time-consuming manual transcription—a revolutionary advancement in wartime communication security.
Developed for exclusive use by the Luftwaffe and German Navy high command, the T52 represented such a formidable cryptographic challenge that Bletchley Park...
Category
20th Century German Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Metal
John Bennett Georgian Barometer
By John Bennett
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional Georgian barometer by the leading London instrument-maker John Bennett strongly reflects the prevalent furniture style and archite...
Category
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Revolutionary War Powder Horn
Located in New Orleans, LA
Powder Horn
Engraving by Charles Goodrich
1776
Powder horns stand among the rarest and most treasured forms of American folk art. Unlike commercial objects, these deeply personal items were crafted by soldiers, sailors and explorers for practical use during their journeys. Through scrimshaw—an intricate technique of engraving bone or horn with a simple jackknife and filling the crevices with available pigments like soot or ash—these individuals left tangible marks of their hopes, dreams and experiences. This exceptional American Revolutionary War powder horn belonged to Charles Goodrich (1720-1816), a significant figure in early Pittsfield, Massachusetts history. The horn displays distinctive period characteristics with the inscription "PITTSFIELD" clearly visible on its amber-colored surface.
Charles Goodrich, born in Wethersfield, Connecticut in 1720, became a prominent civic leader in Pittsfield. He built the first house in the settlement in 1754 and served in various official roles, including Justice of the Peace and town representative to Boston. While Goodrich's name may not appear prominently in history textbooks, historical documents—particularly his September 3, 1776 petition to the Massachusetts Assembly—reveal his compelling story. The petition shows that Goodrich faced accusations of being a British sympathizer and draft evader. According to his account, he was targeted for his public office, physically assaulted by a man named James Morey and subsequently fined by a local committee. Goodrich maintained that he merely defended himself when attacked and claimed ignorance of requirements to either serve as a drafted soldier or hire a substitute—accusations that branded him unpatriotic during the revolutionary fervor.
The Massachusetts Council's concurrence with Goodrich's petition likely inspired his subsequent military service. His powder horn, bearing the inscription of Pittsfield, accompanied him to Fort Ticonderoga, where Simonds' Regiment of Militia (2nd Berkshire County Regiment) was stationed during the difficult winter of 1776-1777. Fort Ticonderoga, a strategic stronghold in upstate New York, had been seized from the British in May 1775 by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold. By the time of Goodrich's service, American forces occupied the fort while preparing for an expected British counterattack. In August 1777, Goodrich and Simonds' Regiment participated in the Battle of Bennington—a decisive engagement where Patriot forces under General John Stark defeated British and Hessian troops. This victory significantly weakened General John Burgoyne's invasion force, contributing to his surrender at Saratoga in October 1777—a pivotal turning point that helped secure French support for the American cause.
Powder horns captivate elite collectors and major museums alike. The Metropolitan Museum of Art recognized their significance by dedicating an entire exhibition to American Engraved Powder Horns...
Category
Antique 18th Century American American Colonial Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Horn
Renaissance Rock Crystal and Gold Agnus Dei
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rock Crystal and Gold Agnus Dei
Late 16th, early 17th century
Case made in Milan
Agnus Dei in wax from the Vatican
Among the most significant religious artifacts of the Renaissance, the Agnus Dei medallion exemplifies the height of Catholic devotional culture. Believed to hold sacramental blessings and even miraculous power, these sacred wax objects were crafted from the melted remains of the Paschal candle used in Rome and personally blessed by the Pope. Their rarity was compounded by their fragility—few survived intact, making them among the most coveted religious items of their time.
This extraordinary example, dating from the late 16th to early 17th century, defied the odds of survival. Encased in its original rock crystal and gold setting, among the most luxurious materials available when it was made, the wax itself features subtle yet remarkably preserved imprints—an almost impossible feat given its delicate nature. It is the only known example outside of a museum, with possibly two others in institutional collections.
Made for a patron of exceptional wealth, this late Renaissance masterpiece marries religious significance with extraordinary craftsmanship. The oval rock crystal frame encases the wax Agnus Dei, encircled by exquisite gold mounting with black enamel detailing and twisted gold cord. Rock crystal caryatids shaped as dog heads with gold collars transition into female busts that curve into scrolls, resting on teardrop elements adorned with vibrant enamel. Two elegant gold scrolls wrap around back-to-back dog muzzles at the top, crowned by an enamel-decorated knob and suspension ring—creating a devotional object of unparalleled artistic refinement.
The fragile composition of Agnus Dei medallions meant that most were easily damaged—cracking, collecting dirt or crumbling over time. Their pristine whiteness held such sacred significance that in 1572, Pope Gregory XIII issued a Papal Bull...
Category
Antique Early 17th Century Italian Religious Items
Materials
Rock Crystal, Gold
Carl Zeiss Cold War Binocular Periscope
By Carl Zeiss
Located in New Orleans, LA
Binocular Periscope
Carl Zeiss
Circa 1965
This exceptional binocular periscope, crafted by the renowned Carl Zeiss optical works, represents the pinnacle of mid-20th century German ...
Category
20th Century German Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Metal
Joe DiMaggio’s Jim Thorpe Lifetime Achievement Award
Located in New Orleans, LA
Very few athletes reach the level of fame and recognition as Yankee center fielder Joe DiMaggio. One of the most recognizable icons of the mid-20th century, the Yankee Clipper is regarded among America's most enduring intergenerational heroes. This award — the Jim Thorpe...
Category
20th Century North American Other Sports Equipment and Memorabilia
Materials
Crystal
Pair of 32" Terrestrial and Celestial Globes
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair of Terrestrial and Celestial Globes
G & T London
20th Century
This extraordinary pair of 32-inch terrestrial and celestial globes, crafted by G & T London, pays homage to the m...
Category
20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Swiss Enamel and Gold Telescope
Located in New Orleans, LA
Swiss Enamel and Gold Telescope
Circa 1820
This extraordinary telescope exemplifies a rare union of 19th-century Swiss scientific innovation and artis...
Category
Antique 19th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Gold, Enamel
Edo-period Green-Laced Samurai Suit
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional Moegi Odoshi Nimai-Dou Gusoku (Green Laced Armour), crafted in the 17th century, exemplifies the pinnacle of Edo-period samurai armor design and craftsmanship. Made ...
Category
Antique 17th Century Japanese Edo Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Copper, Iron
Edo-period Orange-Laced Samurai Suit
Located in New Orleans, LA
For samurai warriors, the functionality of their armor was as vital as its striking beauty—both elements held equal importance. This orange-laced armor is one of the rarest and most stunning complete Edo-period samurai suits ever crafted, designed for a military leader to convey the gravity of his power and warrior spirit at a single glance.
This particularly rare armor...
Category
Antique 18th Century Asian Edo Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Copper, Iron
Edo Period Samurai Suit Of Armor
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite Tetsusabiji Uchidashi Gomai Dou Gusoku (Five-Plate Russet Iron Embossed Cuirass Armor), crafted in the 18th century, exemplifies the pinnacle of Edo-period samurai arm...
Category
Antique 18th Century Asian Edo Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Copper, Iron
OSS Agent Personal Collection
Located in New Orleans, LA
This rare collection offers an unprecedented glimpse into the secretive life of Eli Popovich, an engineer, master parachutist and friend and collaborator to one of the most influential underground leaders during WWII, Josip Broz...
Category
20th Century American Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Glass, Wood
English Stick Barometer by Worthington of London
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional English stick barometer is a classic example of these intriguing meteorological instruments. Crafted by the esteemed Worthington & All...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Silverplate Cannon With Wheels
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional objet d'art is modeled after a cannon from the siege of Mafeking, a 217-day conflict in South Africa during the Second Boer War. It is composed of silverplate over c...
Category
20th Century English Victorian Models and Miniatures
Materials
Silver Plate, Copper
Arburo Orchestrion Organ By Bursens And Roels
By Arburo
Located in New Orleans, LA
Once a fixture in bustling dance halls, cafés and fairgrounds throughout Belgium and the Netherlands in early to mid-20th century, this incredibly rare, early Orchestrion organ is a masterpiece of automated music. Crafted by the Arburo firm run by Arthur Bursens and Gustav Roels, this mechanical marvel is essentially an entire band set within an elegantly constructed Art Deco cabinet. No two Orchestrions were ever created alike and each was made-to-order, one at a time. Each was crafted entirely by hand, even down to the paper music rolls...
Category
20th Century Belgian Art Deco Musical Instruments
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swiss Gold Musical Vinaigrette
Located in New Orleans, LA
This early 19th century Swiss gold vinaigrette has the charming addition of a musical mechanism. The entire box is crafted of 14-karat yellow gold envelo...
Category
Antique 19th Century Swiss Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Gold, Enamel
Polyphon Autochange Disk Music Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
As exceptionally scarce as it is fascinating, this autochange disk player by the Polyphon Musikwerke in Leipzig, Germany can change between six disks and play with the incredibly rare addition of bells that accompany the music. Before a coin is dropped into the slot, slide the brass indicator until it points to the desired music selection, insert a penny, and the chosen song will play automatically. An extremely limited number of these automatic disk changers were ever created, and even fewer have survived in such outstanding condition.
Standing over seven feet tall, this particular model boasts a magnificent walnut case with handsome burl panels on its original, matching storage cabinet. A true technical marvel for its day, Polyphon’s automatic disk changer symbolizes pure ingenuity and superlative craftsmanship. This antique player...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Other Musical Instruments
Materials
Brass
Mermod Fréres Station Cylinder Music Box
By Mermod Frères 1
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptionally wonderful and rare automaton cylinder musical box by the Mermod Fréres firm of Sainte-Croix, Switzerland is a marvel of musical crafts...
Category
Antique 19th Century Swiss Other Musical Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Swiss Gold and Enamel Telescope
Located in New Orleans, LA
Scientifically advanced and exquisitely crafted, this rare 19th-century gold and enamel Swiss telescope is an item of exceptional luxury. The Swiss cre...
Category
Antique 19th Century European Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold, Enamel
Coronation of King George vi and Queen Elizabeth Glass Tankard
By Thomas Goode
Located in New Orleans, LA
Intricate engravings symbolic of the English monarchy decorate this limited edition glass tankard commemorating the 1937 coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth...
Category
20th Century English Glass
Materials
Glass
Elizabeth II Commemorative Coronation and Accession Goblet
By Thomas Goode
Located in New Orleans, LA
This impressive engraved goblet was created to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne of England and coronation. Crafted by Thomas Goode & Co. around the coronation on June 2nd 1953, this vessel would have been a treasured souvenir of the joyous occasions. The historic events are marked by an engraving around the rim of the glass, which reads: "The Coronation of Queen...
Category
20th Century English Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Silver
Yates Gold Cup
By Hannah Northcote
Located in New Orleans, LA
Remarkable in scale and artistry, this George III-style cup and cover was created by the famed London silversmith Hannah Northcote. Set on a circular foot and taking the form of a vase, the cup features two leaf-capped handles and a detachable domed cover crowned with a bud finial. Astounding in craftsmanship given the scarcity of gold at the time of its creation, the sentimental message engraved within the frontal cartouche indicates the prestigious provenance that further distinguishes this cup.
Originally commissioned by Robert Peel, the father of 19th century British Prime Minister Robert Peel, the gold cup...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Gold
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Glass
Located in New Orleans, LA
This engraved glass was crafted to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Sixteen years following the coronation of her father, King George VI, the official coronation of Queen Elizabeth II represented a fascinating mix of tradition and modernity. Held at Westminster Abbey, it was the first official celebration of its kind ever to be televised — approximately 27 million people in the United Kingdom alone tuned in to watch their new Queen don her crown for the first time. Considering the widespread popularity of the event, commemorative objects such as this became highly desirable, as people around the world sought remembrances of the joyous occasion.
This glass is an exceptional example of its type that remains in excellent condition. One side reads "The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth 1953," while the other displays the initials "ER II...
Category
20th Century English Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Glass
Holland Circle by Baumann and Kinzelbach
Located in New Orleans, LA
This intriguing item is almost certainly a Holland Circle by German scientific instrument makers Baumann & Kinzelbach. The Holland Circle, sometimes referred to as a Dutch Circle, was used in land surveying and is a precursor to the theodolite, an optical instrument for measuring angles. Baumann and Kinzelbach were based in Stuttgart, Germany, and in addition to crafting surveying instruments...
Category
Antique 19th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Gold and Agate Sewing Nécessaire
Located in New Orleans, LA
A stunning specimen of agate distinguishes this diminutive French sewing nécessaire. The segments of beautiful hard stone are perfectly complemented ...
Category
Antique 18th Century French Rococo Collectible Jewelry
Materials
Agate, Gold
19th Century Chilean Huaso Stirrups
Located in New Orleans, LA
This striking and rare pair of Chilean wooden stirrups are true gems. Also known as estribos, these stirrups are carved from a solid block of wood. Tak...
Category
Antique 19th Century Chilean Other Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Silver, Steel
Napoleonic Prisoner-of-War Guillotine
Located in New Orleans, LA
An incredible and extremely rare artifact of world history, this mutton bone model of a guillotine was created during the Napoleonic wars by a French prisoner of war. Many of the inmates at the prisoner of war camps were skilled artisans long before they were soldiers, and because of the long duration of the conflict and cost of care, their captors encouraged detainees to use their skills to create objects to be sold at civilian open markets. Because of the intricacy of these fascinating objets d'art, very few of these models have survived the test of time. This masterpiece is impeccably detailed with soldiers and cannons lining the platforms. Adding to the rarity of this piece is that it has moving parts, as only a scant few model carvings were ever created with such mechanical accuracy. The soldiers have movable arms, while the guillotine features a movable "blade" for added authenticity.
By many accounts, Napoleonic prisoners of war...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Models and Miniatures
Materials
Bone
Swiss Station Cylinder Music Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
Tiny dancers twirl to the melodious tunes produced by this Swiss station cylinder music box. The cylinder is joined by a drum and bells that give richness and depth to the wonderful music the box creates. Music boxes were at the height of fashion in the late 19th century and served as a status symbol for the European gentry. Switzerland was the birthplace of cylinder music boxes and home to the great majority of the most renowned manufacturers. This example, in its finely crafted English walnut case, boasts two combs, allowing the box to play in harmony for a richer, more complex song.
This particular style, commonly referred to as a “station” or “showcase” box, was used to entertain guests in hotel lobbies, train stations and other similar public places, and as such would have been coin-operated. This example, however, does not accept coins. This, combined with its overall quality, complexity and beauty, indicates it was made for a private household of significant means. Today, these ingenious musical masterpieces are highly sought-after by collectors of musical automata...
Category
Antique 19th Century Swiss Other Musical Instruments
Materials
Brass
Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina Model B Music Cabinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
This incredible Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina Model B music cabinet is among the rarest and most advanced automatic music players of its time. The remarkable machine, crafted by renowned Leipzig firm of Ludwig Hupfeld, is one of the most mechanically complex music players ever made, boasting three self-playing violins accompanied by a self-playing piano. Once made in the 1000s to entertain patrons of upscale hotels, restaurants, and cafes, these extraordinary machines...
Category
20th Century German Other Musical Instruments
Materials
Wood
Domestic Medicine Chest by Thompson & Capper
By Thompson & Capper
Located in New Orleans, LA
An invaluable addition to the 19th century home, this domestic medicine chest contained nearly everything needed to nurse a member of the house...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Other Apothecary Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Mandolin Singing Bird Automaton Music Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional singing bird cylinder music box is a wonder of Austrian mechanical ingenuity. Not only does it play a selection of classical airs with remarkable tone and clarity, but its lush sound is accompanied by a colorful, singing bird automaton...
Category
Antique 19th Century Austrian Other Musical Instruments
Materials
Satinwood
19th Century Exhibition Model of Expanding Table by Samuel Hawkins
By Samuel Hawkins
Located in New Orleans, LA
A masterpiece of both cabinetmaking and mechanical engineering, this one-of-a-kind expanding table was crafted by the renowned cabinetmaker Samuel Hawkins of London for the Great Exhibition of 1851. Diminutive in size, the fascinating table was designed as a model to demonstrate Hawkins’ innovative patent screw movement to visitors of the Exhibition – six million people in total over five months. It was exhibited again a century later at the Victoria & Albert Museum during the Festival of Britain, an event intended “to symbolise two main qualities of the national character: realism and strength on the one hand, and, on the other, independence and imagination” (Catalogue of the Exhibition, 1951, p.117). To this day, the miniature masterpiece demonstrates the quest of English furniture makers to combine technical innovation with superb craftsmanship.
Displaying exceptional ingenuity, Hawkins’ wind-out screw mechanism allowed one to extend the table’s base to accommodate concentric leaves with the simple crank of a handle. It is based on the inventive expanding table originally designed by Robert Jupe in 1835, which used a swivel mechanism to separate sections of the tabletop and allow for segmented leaves to be inserted. Hawkins’ tabletop, on the other hand, extends outwards directly from the center in order to accommodate additional leaves around its diameter. This unique design allowed the mechanism to also smoothly operate on rectangular tables, which could be wound out from the middle to allow for more table space.
Hawkins was not alone in his endeavor to combine the technical merits of engineering and mechanics with the most artful pursuit of cabinetmaking. The first half of the 19th century saw a prolific increase in the popularity of applying new ideas to traditional furniture principles, which allowed furniture to serve many purposes. The resulting “patent” furniture was practical and refined, though few were as innovative as Hawkins’ prodigious design.
Carved with the year of the Exhibition on the beautifully designed pedestal base, the table is a testament to the significance of this innovation. The model is mentioned in detail in the catalog of the Great Exhibition of 1851, the first international exhibition of industry, manufacturing, and science. Held at London’s dazzling Crystal Palace, its visitors were treated to exhibits from around the globe, including feats of engineering, innovations in industry, and marvels of design. Queen Victoria herself was a frequent visitor, along with her husband, Prince Albert, and others including Charlotte...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Other Tables
Materials
Mahogany
George VI Coin Coronation Goblet
By T. Goode & Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
A special silver coin commemorating the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth is inset into the base of this limited edition glass goblet. Crafted...
Category
20th Century English Other Glass
Materials
Glass
George III Silver Tray for Lt. Robert Chester
By Hannam & Crouch
Located in New Orleans, LA
This fascinating George III silver tray is a work of skillful English artistry, intricately chased and engraved it represents a prestigious commemorative gift for service. The tray rests on 4 bracket feet with oval handles and a delightful gadrooned border. The tray is distinguished by a spectacular engraved inscription of unmatched quality that bears a presentation inscription. The inscription is surrounded by a laurel wreath border with arms, two coat of arms and flags, two of which bear the monograms for King George III and George Spencer...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English George III Platters and Serveware
Materials
Silver
Regina Upright Music Box
By Regina Company
Located in New Orleans, LA
An extraordinary and rare coin-operated Regina Sublima upright music box crafted by the Regina music box company, one of the most recognized music bo...
Category
Antique 19th Century American Other Musical Instruments
Materials
Oak
Cx-52 Model Swiss Cipher Machine
Located in New Orleans, LA
A triumph of ingenuity and craftsmanship, this Swiss cipher machine is a fabulous example of mechanical precision. Cipher machines are used to encrypt a...
Category
20th Century Swiss Other Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Metal
Elizabeth II Commemorative Coronation Tyg
By T. Goode & Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Created to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, this engraved glass tyg is a beautiful celebration of this historic event. Held at Westminster Abb...
Category
20th Century English Other Glass
Materials
Glass
Swiss Gold Musical Snuff Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This special and important Swiss gold music box is chased and engraved with a set of musical instruments surrounded by elaborate swirls of ornate foliage. Embossed with a delightful braided gold design, the two-compartment box features an exquisite oval agate key, which opens a recessed lock in the base of the box. Such a box would have been a prized possession and would have been able to fit neatly into a gentleman’s waistcoat pocket.
Ingenious miniature portable devices, musical snuff boxes...
Category
Antique 19th Century Swiss Other Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Gold
Napoléon's Footbath by George Bullock
By George Bullock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This amazing footbath was created for Napoleon Bonaparte. It was part of the toilet service to be used during his exile on St. Helena. Just before shipm...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Empire Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Porcelain
Musical Jewelry and Sewing Casket
Located in New Orleans, LA
This charming musical jewelry and sewing box is a work of sublime artistry. Almost certainly German or Austrian in origin and crafted of deep, ebonized...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Other Decorative Boxes
Materials
Multi-gemstone
Bavarian Pharmacy Balance
Located in New Orleans, LA
This amazing and extremely rare Bavarian Biedermeier-period pharmacy balance stand would have been at home at any apothecary’s shop during the mid-19th century. Crafted of walnut with bold giltwood accents, this stand holds eight separate sets of balances with brass beams and pointers, and weighing pans made of Horn, brass and porcelain. The balances measure out varying sizes; the largest is capable of measuring up to 500 grams, while smallest weighs up to 5 grams. Such balances would have been essential tools in the practice of compounding, or creating customized medications to suit a specific patient's needs. The delicate porcelain scales even indicate what they were used to weigh: one set is marked “Jodoform,” or iodoform, a disinfectant and antiseptic once used to treat wounds, and the other is marked “Venena,” which is Latin for “poisons.” Each scale also exhibits stamps indicating that they have been tested for accuracy. It is extremely rare to find such a large array of scales, especially those in such wonderful condition, in one collection. This intriguing piece is a must for any medical antiques enthusiast.
The units of measurement in which apothecaries worked were often minute: grains, scruples, drams and ounces. As they were typically used to measure very small amounts of ingredients, apothecary and analytical balances...
Category
Antique 19th Century Balkan Biedermeier Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Portable Copying Machine by James Watt & Co.
By James Watt
Located in New Orleans, LA
Considered the first step into the world of modern photocopying, the copying machine was among the first widely used devices to successfully produce an ex...
Category
Antique 18th Century English Other Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Mahogany
Swiss Nema Cipher Machine
Located in New Orleans, LA
This Swiss-engineered cipher machine is a fascinating piece of 20th-century military and engineering history, and this particular example is one of the ...
Category
20th Century Swiss Other Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Metal
King Edward VIII Abdication Cup
By T. Goode & Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
This limited edition glass cup memorializes the accession and imminent abdication of King Edward VIII. Titled the Prince of Wales on his 16th birthday, Edward was crowned King of England in January 1936, but famously and scandalously abdicated his throne after less than a year in order to marry the American divorcee and socialite Wallis Simpson...
Category
20th Century English Other Glass
Materials
Glass
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert Stonemason's Mallet
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional and one-of-a-kind wooden mallet commemorates the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, which occurred on February 10, 1840. Exqu...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wood
Aqueduct Wood Memorial Trophy Won by Personality
Located in New Orleans, LA
A rare and exceptional trophy, won by the thoroughbred personality at the 1970 Wood Memorial Stakes race held at the Aqueduct Racetrack. Beautifully craf...
Category
20th Century American Other Sports Equipment and Memorabilia
Materials
Silver
The Mills Double Deluxe Violano Virtuoso
By Mills Novelty Company
Located in New Orleans, LA
One of only a handful ever made, this Double DeLuxe Violano Virtuoso, created by the Mills Novelty Company, is an extremely rare example of American musical automata, featuring not one, but two brilliantly tuned violins. Singled out by the U.S. government in 1909 as one of the eight greatest inventions of the decade when it was introduced at the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition, the Mills DeLuxe Violano-Virtuoso stands as one of the most important and incredible musical devices ever made. The “Double Mills,” as it was nicknamed, plays classical, operatic and popular music. It can play on a single or up to 15 nickels and has the ability to run for approximately an hour. It produces exceptional sound with a crisp tonal quality and melodious notes. Housed in a beautiful quarter-sawn oak case, each violin produces 64 notes and is accompanied by a 44-note piano.
It is truly rare to find a historical musical mechanism so complete, with such remarkable sound quality and in excellent condition. This particular Violano has been updated with a digital player system that allows song selections to be made over a WiFi connection. This gives the user a choice between digital downloads or traditional paper rolls for added convenience.
Perfected and patented in 1912 by Henry K. Sandell, the Violano-Virtuoso was produced in limited quantities until 1929 and could be found in the very finest restaurants, hotels and oceanliners. In fact, the Violano-Virtuoso was one of the few American-made mechanical musical devices to be distributed worldwide to the most exclusive international clientele.
The below testimonial was sent to the Mills Company by the Governor of Idaho, aptly describing the incredible music produced by the Violano-Virtuoso.
Dear Sir, Have just had the pleasure of listening to your wonderful Automatic Violin and Piano on exhibition at the Government Building here. This marvelous instrument certainly far surpasses anything that I have eve heard in automatic music. The tone and expression of the violin and the piano are so perfect and clear that is really hard to believe but that there is the human hand playing..."
Indeed, for the price of a nickel, the Mills Violano...
Category
20th Century North American Art Deco Musical Instruments
Materials
Wood
Ornamental Turning Lathe, No. 1906 by Holtzapffel & Co
Located in New Orleans, LA
An essential tool in the creation and finishing of furniture, this 19th-century English ornamental lathe is an object of beauty in and of itself. The extraordinary machine...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Vacheron Constantin Chronometer
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptionally rare and important precision chronometer, or deck watch, was crafted by the famed Vacheron Constantin. One of the most accurate instrumen...
Category
20th Century Swiss Other Nautical Objects
Materials
Mahogany
Commemorative King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Coronation Goblet
By T. Goode & Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
This elegantly formed glass goblet was crafted specifically to celebrate the coronation of Britain's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The cup's bowl ...
Category
20th Century English Other Glass
Materials
Glass
Royal Silver Calcutta Races Trophy
By Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd.
Located in New Orleans, LA
This stunning piece of horseracing history was presented to the winner of the 1933-1934 Calcutta Races on behalf of King George V. The Calcutta Races was the premier horseracing event in Asia of the period, and its prestige is reflected in this trophy, crafted by the silversmithing firm Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company...
Category
20th Century English Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Silver
Joe DiMaggio's Presentation Desk Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
From the personal collection of the legendary Joe DiMaggio, this incredible vintage desk clock was presented to the Yankee Clipper by Harrah's for his par...
Category
20th Century Swiss Other Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Brass
19th Century Chilean Huaso Spurs
Located in New Orleans, LA
This rare and authentic pair of Chilean spurs is stunning to behold. Traditionally worn by huasos, or Chilean cowboys, these silvered steel spurs, or esp...
Category
Antique 19th Century Chilean Other Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Steel
Joe DiMaggio Silver Presentation Tray by Cartier
By Cartier
Located in New Orleans, LA
Made for one of the most celebrated sports figures of the 20th century, this incredible Cartier presentation tray was gifted to the baseball star Joe DiMaggio...
Category
20th Century French Other Sports Equipment and Memorabilia
Materials
Silver
South American Presentation Sword
Located in New Orleans, LA
Believed to have originated from the collection of a South American diplomat, the exquisiteness of this presentation sword conveys its ownership by ...
Category
Antique 19th Century South American Other Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Steel, Brass, Bronze
Swiss Gold and Enamel Musical Vinaigrette
Located in New Orleans, LA
A musical movement distinguishes this wonderful early 19th-century gold vinaigrette box. The vessel is covered in delicate engraving highlighted by bl...
Category
Antique 19th Century Swiss Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
19th Century Watch Winding Display Cabinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
This incredible, one-of-a-kind watch display cabinet brings together the beauty of an antique with the functionality of modern technology. Crafted of mahogany, this 19th century jewelry display cabinet...
Category
Antique 19th Century Unknown Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
