An Amusing 20th Century Sterling Silver Vesta Case in the Form of Mr. Punch

The hand carved & stained boxwood netsuke deftly rendered in the form of an octopus with somewhat anthropomorphic features, showing black stained eyes & furrowed brow effecting an am...

The front of the case exhibiting an exquisite hand painted panel depicting sprays of irises in shades of lavender, royal blue & green, set against a radiant white enamelled machined ...

A finely rendered octagonal sided wooden model of a Renaissance Baptistry or Church of very good proportions & scale, showing distinctive Islamic influences as observed in the eight ...

The 'ishime' lacquered case consisting of two conforming molded sections with one sliding overtop the other, both sides decorated with hand painted gilt, silver & burnt dark russet (kasshoku) lacquers, depicting motifs in low relief of a rat with an acorn on one side and two acorns on the opposing. In Japanese culture rats are considered auspicious symbols of fertility & wealth, acorns symbolize prosperity & growth. Signed with characters and a mon on one edge. Takamaki-e is a lacquer technique in which metallic powders such as silver, gold, copper, pewter etc., are used in combination with lacquer & clay-dust to build up motifs in low relief. Please note that the color tones & hues of the lacquered motifs appear somewhat more vibrant in the images due to ambient lighting conditions. Regarding the opinion stating the superior quality of this fine example being likened to works associated with those by Shibata...

Camera miniature in sterling silver. Completely handmade and "bellows lens" in black enamelled silver.

Early 20th Century French Counter Bell in the Form of an Owl Head This adorable counter bell is made from celluloid which was common for toys, combs and buttons during the early 20t...

A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver vesta case in the form of a horseshoe; an addition to our equestrian related silverware collection This fine antique Victorian sterling silver vesta case is realistically modelled in the form of a horseshoe. The surface of the body is embellished with embossed decoration reproducing the details of the horseshoe accented with bands of bright cut engraved undulating decoration. This fine Vesta case is fitted with a functional revolving rowel enhanced spur wheel striker to one side. The plain shaped hallmarked hinged cover features a subtly curved thumbpiece which secures to the opposing hinge of the hallmarked serrated panel/match striker. Condition This antique horseshoe...

A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and enamel envelope style vesta case; an addition to our silver case collection This fine antique Victorian English s...