A Rare Austrian Art Nouveau Silver and Enamel Owl Seal by Georg Adam Scheid

A Rare and Exquisite French Silver and Enameled Two-Compartment Chalice Cup by Jules Wièse for François-Désiré Froment-Meurice, circa 1850 This exceptional 19th-century chalice cup,...

A rare American gold mounted intaglio seal of a bust-length portrait of the first President in uniform enclosed by the inscription "George Washington", early 19th century. In a fitted green leather box retailed by: D.S. Lavender Antiques Ltd., Bond Street, London, England; Provenance: D.S. Lavender Antiques Ltd., Bond Street, London, England Anita and Irvin Schorsch Collection Exhibited: Museum of Mourning Art...

An Exquisite and Rare French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Bloodstone Inkwell, circa 1875. A truly exceptional and jewel like quality inkwell encrier, made with the finest ormolu, mounted on bloodstone. A true collectors and one of a kind piece. Revival of the ancient régime in the late 19th century was paramount to the French furniture and bronze casting firms of the Belle Epoque. Imitation in the highest regard and replication of those tastes and styles was prevalent throughout the Paris Faubourg, where the most talented bronziers and ébénistes established their workshops. The present inkwell encrier recalls the late 18th century's obsession with hardstones - a taste expounded above all by the duc d'Aumont and, subsequently Marie-Antoinette. Such hardstone-mounted pieces, reminiscent of Renaissance schatzkammer objects, enjoyed a revived popularity at the end of the 18th century through the impetus of both the marchands-mercier and, more importantly, the hôtel des Menus-Plaisirs, where the duc d'Aumont himself established a workshop in 1770 specializing in the cutting and polishing of precious hardstones. This exceptional inkwell encrier, sumptuously-mounted with finely chased gilt-bronzes, incorporates a highly-prized material such as bloodstone. Sometimes called the Sunstone, the meaning of Bloodstone comes entangled in fascinating history. The Ancient Greeks held the Bloodstone as a gem with glorious powers. They referred to it as Heliotrope, which directly translates to Sunstone. It was believed to have heavenly healing powers gifted by the gods and most certainly when it came to healing all things related to the blood. Even as we move forward into the Middle Ages, the Bloodstone takes another mystical story under its wing. It was believed to be formed from Christ's blood. It was said that during the Crucifixion, a few red spots of his blood dripped...

An 18K gold, diamonds, amethyst, tourmaline, bloodstone, carved emerald, opal and jasper toucan bird resting on a gold tree branch, mounted on a carved malachite base. A very rare and unique gold-mounted jeweled object...

Victorian novelty silver mounted owl head and cut glass inkwell by Sampson Mordan & Co. London - 1896. Hallmarked. The hinged lid modelled as an owl with glass amber eyes, and a cut...

Antique Victorian era silver pepper castor in the form of an owl. The piece has glass eyes inset and has a hand-pierced head. Known as the king of spices, pepper is one of the old...

A Continental Silver Pepper Peperette In The Form of An Owl With Glass Eyes. A lovely 19th century (Victorian era) German silver pepperette or pounce pot (used to contain fine sand ...

Continental Silver Wax Seal with Art Nouveau Figure and Landscape, Circa 1900 Stamped . 800 silver with engraved seal "W.G." Dimensions: 2.5" H x 1" W x 0.5" D A finely executed Con...