Renaissance Man Antiques Collectibles and Curiosities

Large vintage square ceramic porcelain cigar ashtray. Large collectible cigar ashtray in yellow and black and white check with gilt borders that break at cigar rests at either side. Gold lettering in the center reads “Cigar”. and there is a knight on horse...

A clear smoke-colored ashtray by Marc Newson with facsimile of the artist's signature on underside.

Mechanical cigarette dispenser box. An exceptional and very beautiful desk piece, created in France during the art deco period, back in the 19...

A truly spectacular and important piece of historical American film art. A group of Dwarf Masks from the 1937 Theater Land on stage revue of the new movie "Snow White and the Seven D...

Metal school supply box sent by the South Africa Jewish Wars Appeal to the Wels displaced persons (DP) camp in Austria, 1947. Painted blue and white with th...

A beautiful antique Art Deco period jewelry box, styled by Jacques Kreisler, circa early-20th Century, New York, New York. Box is an aubergine ...

A truly beautiful Art Deco green malachite glass perfume bottle with a female embossed figure to the stopper. Made in Czechoslovakia, th...

Pair of Unopened Congress Art Deco Playing Card Decks in Original Box – Sealed with 10-Cent Tax Stamp This pair of unopened Congress Playing Card decks is a rare find, preserved in its original Art Deco box. The exterior of the box showcases an elegant floral block print design in black and gold on a deep red paper, exuding classic 1920s-1930s sophistication. The interior is lined in gold paper and features two compartments, each containing an unopened deck of cards wrapped in original wax paper and sealed with the U.S. Playing Card seal and a 10-cent playing card tax stamp, a mark of authenticity and a nod to its historical significance. The two decks exhibit stunning Art Deco motifs, one featuring an intricate symmetrical pattern, while the other presents a bold geometric portrait of a man, titled "Serge" at the bottom. A sample card with a cut corner is included in each compartment, allowing a glimpse of the designs without breaking the seals. Despite its age, the cards remain in excellent antique condition, with only minor creasing and a tear/minor loss on the wax paper wrapping. First introduced by The U.S. Playing Card Company in 1881, Congress Playing Cards were known for their luxurious quality and artistic designs, often featuring elaborate backs that reflected the era’s artistic trends. By the early 20th century, Congress decks became a status symbol, frequently gifted and collected for their refined craftsmanship and decorative appeal. The 10-cent tax stamp on each deck dates back to the Revenue Act of 1894, when the U.S. government required playing card manufacturers to affix a tax stamp as proof of payment. These stamps remained in use until 1940, making them a valuable feature for collectors of vintage playing cards and historical ephemera. Condition & Collectability Cards: Pristine, sealed in original wax paper with only minor creasing; one tear in the wax paper. Interior Box: Clean and well-preserved. Exterior Box: Shows signs of wear with paper loss, dented and torn corners, water damage, and an affixed white sticker—evidence of its long history and original use. This sealed pair of Congress Art Deco playing cards...

Barman dispenser box with lighter designed by Ronson. An exceptional and very beautiful desk piece, created in New Jersey United States by The Ronson Lighter Co. during the art deco...

This Art Deco styled lighted smoker's stand is unsigned but presumed to have been made in the United States in the 1950s. The stand features a light at the top and base made of swirled glass of orange and cream hues to replicate alabaster which emits a warm glow when lit. The central post is also accented with a marbled and tapered, possibly alabaster cylinder which is separated by a chrome ring. The top features two removable ashtray cups and a covered tobacco canister...

Mechanical vesta matches box designed by Asprey & Company. This is a very rare and unusual mechanical vesta-box for matches, created in London England by Asprey & Company Limited, back in the 1925. The pocket vesta-box was crafted during the art deco period in solid .925/.999 sterling silver with yellow gold accents and decorated with engine turned guilloche patterns. It is fitted with two lids connected by an eight-barrels hinge and a concealed mechanical sliding lock. This box show excellent craftsmanship and is in great condition. A highly collectable piece. Country: London, England. Period: Art Deco, 1925-1926. Materials: Sterling silver, yellow gold and iron. Weight: 45.40 Grams, (29.10 Dwt). Measurements: 55 mm by 44 mm by 9 mm (2.17 x 1.74 x 0.35 Inches). Hallmarks Stamped with British crown marks, the lion's face mark for the city of London, the maker's mark A&Co Ltd., the mark for the assay and warranty of the .925 silver, the gothic letter L for the years 1925-1926 and signed in full as follows, "ASPREY LONDON MADE IN ENGLAND A&CO LTD "L" ASPREY'S PATENT NO-21914". Asprey The company was established in England in Mitcham, Surrey, in 1781. Founded as a silk printing business by William Asprey, it soon became a luxury emporium. In 1841, William Asprey's elder son Charles went into partnership with a stationer located on London's Bond Street. In 1847, the family broke with this partner and moved into 167 New Bond Street, the premises Asprey occupies today. From its central London location, Asprey advertised 'articles of exclusive design and high quality, whether for personal adornment or personal accompaniment and to endow with richness and beauty the table and homes of people of refinement and discernment.' An early specialty was dressing cases. Asprey crafted traditional cases and designs, mostly in leather, suitable for the new style of travel ushered in by railways. As the business grew, the company acquired manufacturing facilities and hired silversmith, goldsmith, jewelers and watchmakers. In the 1920's, commissions poured in from around the world, from American millionaire J. P. Morgan to potentates such as the Maharaja of Patiala, who commissioned a huge teak travelling trunk for each of his wives, in which each trunk was fitted with solid silver washing and bathing utensils with waterspouts of ornate tiger head and lined with blue velvet. Asprey cigarette cases...

1970s Original astonishing playing cards box by Cartier with is red leather original box 2-doors case . The box is lined in silk, stamped with the Les Must de Cartier logo and includ...