Chinese Desk Accessories

A rare Russian enameled silver-gilt dip pen from the Romanov era, period of Tsar Nicholas II, of gilded silver with cloisonné enameled scrolling foliage within...

A very fine carved Nephrite Jade hippopotamus figurine. Likely the work of the German lapidary carvers in Idar Oberstein (or possibly Russian in origin). The feet of the hippo have numbered inscription or signature. Simply a great carving! Date: 20th Century Overall Condition: It is in overall good, as-pictured, used estate condition. There are a few round concussion marks here and there, loss to one ear, a small fracture in one nostril (likely from the carving), some edge wear, and some very fine & light surface scratches and other signs of expected light wear consistent with age Maker: Possibly from Idar Oberstein (or one of the Russian houses...

This unique, Circa 1800, wax seal begins with an 18K yellow gold base monogrammed with MLO, upon which sits a beautifully carved jade bird. The Jade ...

Antique Chinese cloisonne enamelled covered small round box, on sacrificial blue ground and finely decorated with colorful, lively prunus blossoms on branches, interior and bottom en...

A Rare Collector's Piece from Cartier's Prestigious Opera Collection Add a touch of timeless elegance to your collection with this exquisite Cartier Opera...

Cartier Paris Accordion Clock with Date and White Roman Numeral Dial. Large Cartier Model Accordion burlwood brown enamel Art Deco quartz movement, gol...

Sterling & Enamel Desk Clock by Bailey, Banks & Biddle (c. 1930) A Glamorous Piece of Early 20th-Century History Enhance your desk or display cabinet with this Sterling and Enamel ...

A vintage (circa 1980s) Gump's San Francisco letter opener and magnifying glass pair created in gold-tone non-tarnish metal with hand-engraved floral details and with sleek, beautiful black nephrite jade handles. The pair come in their original pale gold brocade fabric pouch but I do not have the original box. This iconic pair of essential desk adornments are a must for the Gump's or jade collector. My grandmother had this same set plus another with green jade handles. I have always preferred the black handles, though. Classic Gump's, timelessly elegant. Maybe you think you're not a magnifying-kind of person but I would beg to differ. You would be surprised by how useful an optically excellent (which this is) magnifying glass actually is. And you can create completely unique photos...

This aesthetically captivating authentic circa 1950 Cartier eight-day desk clock is made with a solid 14K yellow gold case. It is rendered in artfully textured gold, adding a glitter...

A tortoise can live to be two centuries old and this little guy is no exception. Crafted from cast bronze, the shell lifts off to reveal a carved and etched plaque of natural, untrea...

Dragonets are baby dragons, and this white nephrite pi disk features a pair of them. Flawlessly carved by a skilled lapidary artist more than 100 years ago, this white nephrite pi disk is a superior example of a late Ming...

Elegant, rare, and dating to the late Qing period (circa 1890s), this hand-carved nearly colorless white nephrite plaque has been etched on both sides. One one, the Chinese mythological figure known as Zhang Guo Lao is depicted riding a mule. On the opposite side, a magpie sits on a branch of cherry blossoms. The magpie is associated with intelligence. The carving is breathlessly simple and excellent; the work executed -of course- without the aid of electricity or modern tools. Measuring 42.54mm x 29.92mm, the plaque has a hole drilled through the center, which is original to the piece. A silver bail is threaded through the hole and a pair of beads -black jade and coral- reside at the bottom. The jade plaque hands from a 1920s silver chain that is 32" in length. Prior to the discovery of and appreciation for the very fine green jadeite from Burma, colorless, opaque, pure white nephrite jade from the Northern mountains of China was the most revered jade; the original "imperial jade, as only members of the royal court could wear or even touch it. Most of what is commercially sold today as "mutton fat...