Gold Collectibles and Curiosities

Howells, William Dean Venetian Life; With Illustrations from Original Watercolors Boston: Houghton Mifflin, The Riverside Press, 1892. 2 volumes, 8vo 7 x 4 3/4 inches (172 x 120 mm); viii, 279 pp; 287 pp. 18 illustrations from watercolors by Childe Hassam, Ross Turner, F. Hopkinson Smith, and Rhoda Holmes...

A striking and important Surrealist collaboration. A rare SINGED COPY. Ernst, Max / René Crevel Mr. Knife Miss Fork; Translated by Kay Boyle Paris: The Black Sun Press, 1931. FIRS...

Villon, François, John Payne [translator/editor]. The Poems of Master François Villon of Paris; now first done into English verse, in the original forms, with a biographical and cri...

London: William Miller, 1804. FIRST EDITION, 2 volumes Small 8vo.; 9 x 5 3/8 (226 x 140 mm); vol. 1: xii, [2], 171 [1 blank]; vol. 2: iv, 164, [1 blank] pp.; large paper copy. Ten h...

Sterling silver with gold accents and faceted amethyst stone. No hallmarks. Weight: 1 ozt.

J. Kohle Pforzheim, German 14 Carat white gold with Akoya pearls necklace. 132 Akoya pearls on double strand necklace with 14 Carat white gold closure with Diamond and 5 pearls a...

Montagu, Mrs. (Elizabeth), 1718-1800 An Essay on the Writings and Genius of Shakespeare; An essay on the writings and genius of Shakespeare, compared with the Greek and French dramat...

An early 1900s Waterman 'Ideal' fountain pen in 14 karat gold pierced and engraved filigree design, with a lever filling system. Missing its original bladder but otherwise intact. No...

Robert Louis Stevenson, Virginibus Puerisque and Other Papers. London: Chatto & Windus for the FLORENCE PRESS, 1910. Limited Edition. 4to, 10 x 7 1/2 in. (253 x 189 mm); [6] leaves, including 1 blank + 120 pp + [2] leaves, including 1 blank. 12 chromolithographed plates by Norman Wilkinson, printed on plate paper and not included in the pagination, legends on tissue guards printed in red. This is COPY no. 4 OF 12 COPIES PRINTED ON VELLUM, as noted on the limitation page, on verso of second leaf: «Of this edition of Virginibus Puerisque / have been printed on Aldwych hand- / made paper 250 copies, of which 235 are / for sale; on vellum 12 copies, of which 10 / are for sale. / Vellum Copy No. 4». Limp vellum binding with four green ties; gilt lettering on spine and upper cover, t.e.g. Very faint spotting to front free endpaper, slight offsetting of ties. Otherwise a pristine copy. Provenance: William Russell Flint (from the family, by descent). [Beinecke, Stevenson 79; Ransom 278:6; Tomkinson 85:6; Prideaux 13] Fine. A splendid edition of Stevenson's first collection of essays which promote a spirit of playfulness in defiance of both the hardships of human life and the restrictions imposed by bourgeois callowness. The volume brought together essays that had been previously published in the Cornhill Magazine and Macmillan’s: “Virginibus Puerisque i” (1876); “ ii” (1881); “iii: On Falling in Love” (1877); “iv: The Truth of Intercourse” (1879); “Crabbed Age and Youth” (1878); “An Apology for Idlers” (1877); “Ordered South” (1874); “Aes Triplex” (1878); “El Dorado” (1878); “The English Admirals” (1878); “Some Portraits by Raeburn” (previously unpublished); “Child’s Play” (1878); “Walking Tours” (1876); “Pan’s Pipes” (1878); “A Plea for Gas Lamps” (1878) The essays inspired Norman WILKINSON (1878 – 1971) to create the 12 striking and lyrical images that accompany the texts. Wilkinson was a British artist, renowned for his poster work and honored by the British Admiralty for coming up with the idea and design for “dazzle camouflage...

Vintage S.T. Dupont Paris Gold-Plated Ligne 1 Small Lighter, Monogrammed – Circa 1970s A fine vintage S.T. Dupont Ligne 1 lighter in the small size, crafted in France and finished i...

London: Cassell and Co., 1896. First Edition. Small 8vo., 7 3/8 x 5 inches (188 x 127 mm), pp. viii + 452 + 4 of publisher's advertising. Red calf binding by Root & Son (stamp on f...

Aeschylus. Edited by Willem Canter. Aeschyli Tragoediae VII. In quibus praeter infinita menda sublata, carminum omnium ratio hactenus ignorata, nunc primum proditur; opera Gulielmi C...

This vintage brooch represents a branch of a strawberry plant with engraved jade leaves. The vines are from 14k yellow gold and the strawberries are of carved coral. Carved crystal f...

A fantastic pair of Italian gold gilt camel figurines. Marked Italy on the felted base. One of the camels has some damage to the lower neck. This is pho...

London: T. N. Longman and O. Rees, 1803. Third Edition. 12mo, 6 1/4 x 4 inches (160 x 114 mm); pp. xii + 202. Half-bound in tan calf with raised bands and gilt decorations, black l...

Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Zapolya: A Christmas Tale; in Two Parts: The Prelude entitled "The Usurper's Fortune;" and The Sequel, entitled "The Usurper's Fate." London: Rest Fenner, ...

18th Century miniature bronze gilt cabinet with underglass paintings 18th Century gilt Bronze Miniature, Gold Sewing tools Cabinet A 18th Century bronze gilded miniature cabinet, se...

Mid century 14K yellow and white gold ring statement ring Large cabochon carnelian stone condition very good Marked 14K Gold Origin: Netherlands Hallmarked Size 17.5 Very good condition

Art Deco jeweled 14k gold, diamond, Jade and amethyst enameled and articulated bracelet in the form of a snake. 8 rose cut diamonds. Jade and amethyst cabochons with multicolored en...

This simple but very stylish mid Victorian heavy 18ct gold ring marked 18c is of a simple pleasing form made from a plain graduated band of gold and set with three good sized bright ...

Circa 1880 French Gothic style Baldachin or Statuary Niche. Derived from canopies for processions, the term has come to signify all such coverings, most famously the Bernini high alt...

Art Nouveau rose quartz, gold, ruby, emerald and diamond walking stick Russian, c. 1900 Height 91cm, width 7cm, depth 1.5cm This superb walking stick, crafted around 1900, embodi...

19th century Brass and Gold Watch-Key with Agate and Heliotrope Stones 19th century brass and gold Watch-Key with each side a different stone A brass watch key , gold-plated with Ag...

A third edition in an attractive 19th-century binding of the influential work by the eminent French priest, historian and jurist Claude Fleury (1640 – 1723). It is an account of the ...

Modern and elegant 18K white gold watch by Swiss luxury watch manufacturer, Corum. This watch has a round dial with an 18K white gold case and bracelet. Marked 18K on the back of ca...

Waltham Saint Lawrence: Golden Cockerel Press, 1928. Limited Edition, numbered 8vo, 9 x 5 3/4 inches (230 x 145 mm); iv + 152 + ii pages, printed on English hand-made paper in 14 pt....

14k yellow gold brooch in the form of a floral grouping. Set with amethyst flowers, jade leaves and single cut diamonds. Marked 585 with makers mark. Weight 16.4g.

Collection Italian Miniature Green Malachite Silver Vermeil Musical Instruments Italian, 20th Century Largest (harp): Height 6cm, diameter 3.7cm This delicate ensemble of miniatur...

This vintage early 20th century Edwardian (1902 - 1918) diamond bracelet is elaborately designed in platinum & multiple precious gems. The bracelet center features six embellished ce...

This rare and exquisite miniature antique German corner shelf is a must-have for Dollhouse and Doll collectors and enthusiasts alike. With its beau...

Le moyen de parvenir; oeuvre contenant la raison de tout ce qui a esté, est & sera : avec démonstrations certaines et nécessaires, selon la rencontre des effects de vertu . n.d. (ci...

\New York: Lovell, Coryell and Company, 1893. First Edition, Second Issue. Small 8vo., 7 3/8 x 5 inches (188 x 127 mm), pp. 270. Beautifully bound by Root & Son in red calf with go...

Discover a piece of timeless elegance with our exquisite 18K gold pocket watch from circa 1900! ⌚️ Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this elegant timepiece boasts a classic enamel dial on one side for traditional timekeeping and a monthly and weekly calendar...

A large precious stone and silver-gilt flower model by Asprey. English, 20th century. Measures: 47cm high x 14cm wide x 12 cm depth. Crafted ...

Italian Vintage Rotary Dial Telephone with Marquetry A large and rare vintage rotary dial telephone with a fine marquetry case. Shaped with a lemongrass wood purfling, it lends elega...

SIGNED, Second edition on LARGE PAPER One of the first personal biographies (biographies intimes) written by the Goncourt brothers and composed in 1857. This special edition with el...

Geometrical and Graphical Essays [and] Plates to the Geometrical and Graphical Essays.; By the late George Adams, Mathematical Instrument Maker to his Majesty, & c. London: W. & S. Jones, 1813. Fourth Edition. Two volumes, 8vo, 9 x 5 3/4 in. (228 x 145 mm). Text volume: pp. frontispiece, xii, 534, [16] ads; Plates vol.: pp. title page and 34 folding plates. Previous owner's name penned on the first free flyleaf. Uniform contemporary paper-covered boards, untrimmed, housed in a felt-lined custom clamshell box, 9 x 5 1/2 in. Occasional browning to the edges of some of the plates in Vol. 2, 1/2 inch tear to fold of Pl. VIII and 1 inch tear to the edge of Pl XIV, none of these minor flaws affecting the images. Frontispiece "The Great Theodolite, by Ramsden, Used by the late Gen.l Roy &c. in the great English Trigonometrical Operations." This is the "Fourth Edition, corrected and enlarged by William Jones, F. Am. P. S. [ESTC T88416, 1791 edition]. The last chapter of these fascinating volumes includes conversion tables to various standard national measure ranging from the Paris foot to the Russian archine, to the Venice braccio, the Egyptian stadium to 'The mathematical foot of China'. GEORGE ADAMS the younger (1750–1795) was an English scientist, optician and scientific writer. In politics Adams was a Tory, and as such was received with favour at court by George III, who made him his official mathematical instrument maker, succeeding his father George Adams in the post. George III was personally interested in instruments and had Adams produce items for him exclusively, many in silver. These instruments now form a collection which is housed in London's Science Museum Royal collection Adams was also known for making globes, and for inventing the lucernal microscope, a type of projection microscope where the image is projected on a screen by a large oil lamp...

A wood sculpture wonderfully carved depiction of the Virgin Mary with Jesus Child gilded with gold leaf and polychrome painted, Spain, mid-18th century...

A collection of twelve stories by Mark Twain, translated into French and amusingly illustrated in color by Jean Trubert (1909 – 1983) a well known and prolific comic strip designer a...

Waltham Saint Lawrence: The Golden Cockerel Press, 1930. Illustrations by Denis Tegetmeister (1895 – 1987). 8vo, 9 x 6 in (229 x 153 mm); 175 pp., 6 copper engravings by Denis Tege...

Scientifically advanced and exquisitely crafted, this rare 19th-century gold and enamel Swiss telescope is an item of exceptional luxury. The Swiss cre...

Antique 19th Century French gold mounted on mother of pearl, extensive traveling etui set, of elongated octagonal form, the gold mounted with polished mother of pearl panels and the lid applied with cast and enamelled floral decoration, the lid opens with a push-button. Inside enclosing the original gold and steel implements:, scissors, pen knife...

Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamonds, Silver-Gilt, Rock-Crystal, Jade, Mother-Of-Pearl and Smoky Quartz, Carved Horse Sculpture, Jeweled Mounted Object. An extremely rare and unique, one of a kind French gold, diamonds, Silver-gilt, rock-crystal, jade, obsidian, mother-of-pearl, and smoky quartz carved jeweled sculpture "CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE", "A Legendary Horse" by Mellerio, Paris, circa 1991. Sitting on black obsidian base, the solid rock-crystal slab is finely applied with a carved smoky -quartz and jade horse with a harness mounted in 18k gold, brilliant -cut diamonds, rubies, turquoise, and amethyst chains and pendants. The top columns adorned with 18k gold and brilliant cut diamond pendants, the bottom with gold and mother of pearl plaques. The obsidian base with a plaque engraved: CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE" / N° 05 / MELLERIO DITS MELLER / PARIS / 5003 D The piece is in excellent condition and comes with a custom made wood case made for transport. It's very elegant and has French hallmarks throughout. A truly magnificent piece. Measures 10.5" high x 8.5" wide x 4" deep Founded in France in 1613 by the descendants of Italian immigrants from the Vigezzo Valley in the north of Italy, Mellerio is one of the oldest jewellery houses in Europe. The family business soon attracted the attention of the Royal Court and Marie Antoinette herself reportedly purchased a precious bracelet featuring 7 cameos surrounded by rubies in 1780. Later on, in the 19th century, Mellerio became the official supplier of the French Royal family and the Court of Netherland. Mellerio creates many jewellery items, all set with rare gems such as peridots, amethysts, aquamarines, citrines and topaz, applying for a patent, the flexible stem, a very supple and light jewellery mechanism. Mellerio remains also well known for their spectacular series of Art Nouveau jewels, created at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as for the creation of trophies rewarding some of the greatest footfall and tennis players of history. In 1993, the jewellery house launched their first watch collection. Today, Mellerio has stores in Paris, Japan and Hong Kong. July 14, 1789: this date is known throughout the world as the beginning of the French Revolution. According to a ledger belonging to House of Mellerio, this was also the day that the jeweler sold a golden key to the Comte de Coutance for 10 livres. This ledger, as well as inventories dating as far back as 1768, are the jeweler’s oldest archives. These archives have continued to grow over the years, as the House, established on rue de la Paix in Paris, still lives on today, still in the hands of the same family from Craveggia, in the North of Italy. The tumultuous history of the Mellerio family in France probably goes as far back as the Italian wars of the Renaissance, but the first official document proving their commercial activity in Paris dates back to 1613. This document is the famous royal warrant awarded by Marie de Medici to a number of Italian families established along the rue des Lombards, including the Mellerios, allowing them to sell “small jewelery items”, therefore granting them a small exception to the traditional monopoly enjoyed by Parisian jewelers. At that time, powerful corporations regulated the operations and customs of Parisian business, but thanks to this exceptional warrant, the Mellerios managed to escape the confines of this framework. Today, this wax-sealed document is kept at the city hall of Craveggia. From 1613 to the Revolution, the Mellerios lived between France and Italy. The corporations tried many times to put an end to their trade privileges, but all in vain, as a dynasty of sovereigns renewed the warrant. Always marrying and often retiring in Craveggia, the Mellerios continued to maintain their jewelry business in Paris. At first, they did this without a shop. Wearing backpacks (wooden boxes divided into small compartments where jewels were kept), they would tour town fairs around Paris and royal castles. This is how Jean-Baptiste Mellerio (1765-1850) is said to have sold a bracelet set with rubies and Antique cameos to Marie-Antoinette, which still exists today. Many elements seem to prove the veracity of this anecdote. The queen was particularly fond of cameos, which cover the entire background of her famous jewelry cabinet, and ruby was her favorite stone after diamond. The famous bracelet, reacquired a few years ago by the House of Mellerio, is indeed an 18th century jewel, set with antique cameos representing the profiles of Roman emperors. Two branches of the family were operating in Paris during this time, under the reign of Louis XVI: that of Jean-François (1746-1828), the paternal ancestor of the current Mellerios, and that of Jean-Baptiste (1765-1850). The French Revolution forced them to return to Italy. However, both Jean-Baptiste and François Mellerio (1772-1843), who was the son of Jean-François, were eventually able to return to Paris after the founding of the Consulate. Jean-Baptiste opened a shop at the Iron Crown of rue Vivienne, and François opened his at the Palais des Tuileries, rue du Coq Saint-Honoré. His well-organized order books give an idea of his high-ranking clientele during the “Old Regime”, among which were the Comte and Comtesse Octave de Segur, the Marquise (later Duchess) de Tourzel, former governess of the royal children, and her daughter, the Comtesse de Bearn, the Craufurds -who organized the flight to Varennes, the Duc and Duchess de Gramont, the Comtesse de Boigne, and Madame de Souza, Talleyrand’s mistress. We also see the names of the imperial family: Empress Josephine, the Queen of Holland, Princess Elisa, Caroline and Pauline. At that time, the House of Mellerio specialized, among other things, in the trade of antique cameos, a newly fashionable genre of jewel that captured the imagination of all the princesses and noble women of the time. The years of the Restauration and July Monarchy were among the most glorious. The Bourbons were back on the throne, and the clientele of the House of Mellerio had regained its former wealth. Mellerio supplied Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, as well as his mother, wife and sister, with sumptuous jewels, including a set of emeralds made piece by piece, while the Duke of Bourbon, last prince of the House of Condé, offered diamonds to his mistress, the scheming Baronne de Feucheres, and Monsieur de LaFayette also bought cameos for one of his granddaughters. For the first time, Mellerio ventured into the world of arts in 1815, when Carlotta Grisi, a famous dancer who created Giselle, as well as an actress named Rachel, bought jewels at the Mellerio store on rue de la Paix. 1848 marked a new turning point. France once again became a Republic. François Mellerio handed the company over to his son, Jean, and the latter decided to travel to Spain to build a new clientele. He later became one of the jewelers of the royal family, and met Eugénie de Montijo, who remained a faithful client when she became empress of the French people. The Imperial years were lavish. During the Second Empire, Paris was a pageant of crinoline dresses designed by Worth, while jewels by Mellerio, Worth’s neighbour on the rue de la Paix, adorned the noble women of the Tuileries court. The Empress bought pearls. Mathilde Bonaparte...

A rare enamel, gold and rock crystal figure of Emperor Maximilian I by Reinhold Vasters, Aachen, In the Renaissance style, circa 1870. The g...

Sustainable Gastronomy Yoshihiro Narisawa’s manifesto on cuisine in harmony with the natural world Award-winning Japanese chef Yoshihiro Narisawa has turned to his homeland and nature to develop his innovative satoyama cuisine and culinary philosophy. Inspired by the Japanese tradition of foraging for ingredients on the land between mountains and villages, the area of satoyama, and by similar traditional methods for gathering food, Narisawa has created recipes and dining experiences based on the sustainable use of native ingredients. Also using foodstuffs from coastal waters and forests, from seaweed and sea snakes to wild flowers and even soil, the recipes are presented and shown in stunning photographs by world-renowned Brazilian food photographer Sergio Coimbra. But this is more than a book of recipes, it is a new kind of gastronomy book that explores the background of where the ingredients are sourced and also how the chef works with the craftsmen who makes his knives and tableware. This attention to every stage of the supply chain is another aspect of satoyama, and in the course of the journeys Narisawa and Coimbra made the book has also become a visual travel guide to Japan and its history and traditions. In this way it is not just the chef’s creations that are presented, but the food in its full context, including the processes involved, and a culinary perspective that combines tradition with modern ideas. Collector’s Edition of 1,000 copies, each signed by Yoshihiro Narisawa and Sergio Coimbra. The Artist: Yoshihiro Narisawa, born in Aichi prefecture in 1969 as the son of a baker of western recipes, moved to Europe at the age of 19 where he trained in France, Switzerland, and Italy, before returning to his homeland. Narisawa opened his first restaurant in Kanagawa in 1996, moving to Tokyo in 2003. After pursuing a connection with French cuisine, Narisawa went on to develop his “Satoyama” style. His restaurant has been listed for many years as one of the World’s 50 Best...

The Most Popular Book of Maritime Adventure of the Eighteenth Century Anson, Lord George and Richard Walter A Voyage Round the World, In the Years MDCCXI, I, II, III, IV, By George ...

Art Deco Style 14K White Gold Bracelet with Rubies and Diamonds This stunning Art Deco style bracelet is finely crafted in 14K white gold and showcases the era’s signature elegance...

This Italian 18th century Louis XVI period hand carved and gilt wood architectural fragment probably was the central section of a bigger altar tabernacle that can now be used as a de...

Beautiful antique Venetian / Murano hand blown blue, white and gold flecks Italian art glass ballet slipper. The delicate shoe has a soft quilted pattern, with white rim and flower d...

London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1914. FIRST EDITION Small 8vo., 7 3/8 x 5 inches (188 x 127 mm), pp. vi + 207. Beautiful red calf binding Red calf binding by Root & Son, with gold fill...

19th Century Brass and Gold Watch-Key with 2 different color Agate Stones 19th century brass and gold Watch-Key with each side a different Agate stone A brass watch key , gold-plate...

Bamboo desk lighter designed by Alfred Dunhill This is a rare antique desk lighter, created in Paris France by the luxury brand of Alfred Dunhill, back in the 1934. The unusual art deco lighter...

Original 1940 Swiss-made gold-filled Men's dress watch by Helbros features an elegant Art Deco design with a unique tonneau-shaped case. The watch is adorned with rubies at the corne...

Gold, Silver & Enamel Rainbow Trout Fishing Brooch. An exquisite 9 Carat gold fishing brooch by Alabaster & Wilson, Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter (established in 1887). The fishing ...

14-carat ladies ring with pink sapphire cut in Baguette. It was made by the Danish silver and goldsmith Hermann Siersbol and dates from the late 1960s or early 1970s. It is hallmarked 585 for 14-carat gold and has the initials HS hand engraved to the inside. The ring weights 8 grams and measures 15/55 on a standard Swiss ring...

London / Edinburgh: George Allen / Ballantyne Press, 1902 8vo, 8 x 5 3/4 inches (203 x 145 mm), (4), 68, (1) pp. Printed on handmade Arnold paper with a flower and vine border on eac...

Walking stick: jeweled stick, sculpted jadeite knob, depicting a duck's head, ruby eyes, 18K gold band with rubies and ebony wood barrel. Signed. This masterpiece was created by Geor...

Marks: In key, chamber of the cannon and trigger guard. Date: between 1761 and 1793. Author: Salvador de Zenarro. "Real Arcabucero". Origin / Provenance: Madrid, Spain. Material:...

T.1.3 is a billiard-pool table made entirely of glass, where the playing surface is specially treated reproducing the friction of traditional cloth. The feet are sheets of glass bev...

Finely detailed illustration of the feet of Lord Rama. The feet are labeled with illustrative symbols, including a lotus flower, shells, and crescent moons. There are a total of 17 s...