DeLaval Cream Separator Patented July 28, 1908 L.T. Savage New York It has been said that the match was one of the greatest inventions for women. In most households it  More »

DeLaval Cream Separator Patented July 28, 1908 L.T. Savage New York It has been said that the match was one of the greatest inventions for women. In most households it was a woman who was first out of bed, often when it was still dark and cold. The match permitted her instant light for a candle, which could in turn provide ignition for other sources of light or heat. From the time that matches were first sold, in shops or by street vendors, manufacturers put them in thin wood chip or cardboard boxes, much like those still sold today. Although cheap and convenient, they provided little protection from accidental ignition and lacked aesthetic appeal. It was not long before special fancy containers were being produced. Inventive European craftsmen created a wealth of decorative match holders; mass production methods made these affordable to the middle classes. Decorative trends did not catch on in North America until the second half of the 19th century. The development of match holders not only reflects the development of the match, but also the changing art styles of the period between about 1840 and 1930. Their styles also reflect or document social changes and practices, historical events, local and national business interests, and places of popular appeal. Match holders known as “match safes” include two containers. The contents of a box of matches are inserted into the bottom container. Used matches are put in upper pocket. This piece is a figural match safe advertising the DeLaval Cream Separator Company. It consists of a plated and painted miniature cream separator whose primary colors are black and silver. It measures approximately 6 3/8” tall and is classified as in excellent condition, complete with all original parts.   « Less

This piece is an early figural hanging match holder advertising the Ceresota Flour Company. It consists of die-cut embossed lithographed tin with a color image at the top of  More »

This piece is an early figural hanging match holder advertising the Ceresota Flour Company. It consists of die-cut embossed lithographed tin with a color image at the top of a young boy carving a large loaf of bread. There is a barrel at the bottom to hold matches that is painted with “Ceresota Prize Bread Flour of the World.” It measures approximately 2 1/2” x 5 3/8” x 1 3/8”. It has light scattered rust and wear, especially at the top hanging hole and at the base of the barrel. It is classified as in fine condition, complete with all original parts.   « Less

Found in a Nantucket Sail Loft This device, a sailmaker’s palm, is used by yachtsmen, dinghy sailors, etc. to make repairs on sails, and sometimes to whip or bind the  More »

Found in a Nantucket Sail Loft This device, a sailmaker’s palm, is used by yachtsmen, dinghy sailors, etc. to make repairs on sails, and sometimes to whip or bind the ends of ropes or sheets as they are more properly known to the initiated. The small device consists of a loop of leather with a hole for the thumb to go through. The widest part of the leather sits across the palm of the hand and incorporates a dimpled metal plate to accommodate the blunt end of a needle like a thimble. Sailmaker's needles are necessarily tough and big enough to take the heavy thread - these days synthetic to resist the destructive effects of weather and sea - and the plate, held in place across the palm, is used to force the needle and thread through the tough material of the sail. There are two types: A seaming palm and a roping palm. The main difference is that the roping palm is heavier and has deeper recessed dimples and a tougher leather backing. This palm is for the right hand and has an inside circumference of 11 inches. It was found in a Nantucket sail loft. It is undated.   « Less

Antique Arts and Crafts sterling silver two-handled bowl - a porringer or wine taster / quaiche. Made by Liberty & Co., England 1913. Measures approx 6 1/2 inches accross. 1  More »

Antique Arts and Crafts sterling silver two-handled bowl - a porringer or wine taster / quaiche. Made by Liberty & Co., England 1913. Measures approx 6 1/2 inches accross. 1 3/4 inches high. Weighs 165.1grams. Round bowl with handles on either side. May be a porringer or a wine taster or a quaiche (Scottish marriage cup that has a similar shape to a wine taster). Entire surface shows clear signs of handhammering. Unusual handles on either side are shaped, two-dimentional with a looped handle below that. Decoration is classic Arts and Crafts: highly controlled, simple repousse work and engraving. The latter in the form of leafy branches, reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts fascination with peacock feathers. The feathers are repeated in simple geometric design with a Celtic flavour that encircle the upper rim of the bowl. The peacock feather shape is clearly echoed in the decoration of the almost-flat handles. The bowl has an engraved dedication that reads ELIZABETH CHANDLER BINGHAM 1914. The bowl is hallmarked underneath: 3-diamond-shaped lozenges with L & Co for Liberty and Company; anchor for Birmingham; lion passant for sterling silver and the date letter O for 1913. Engraved number 5778 underneath the hallmarks may refer to a model number. Condition is very good.   « Less

Height: 10 in. (25.40 cm) Width: 16 in. (40.64 cm) Depth: 9 in. (22.86 cm) Country of Origin:France Style:Greek Mythology Condition:Restored Year:19th C. Description:Gilt  More »

Height: 10 in. (25.40 cm) Width: 16 in. (40.64 cm) Depth: 9 in. (22.86 cm) Country of Origin:France Style:Greek Mythology Condition:Restored Year:19th C. Description:Gilt bronze figural inkwell of greek mythology figure.   « Less

Height: 42 in. (106.68 cm) Width: 70 in. (177.80 cm) Depth: 30 in. (76.20 cm) Country of Origin:France Style:Art Deco Condition:Restored Year:c. 1920 Description:Elegant  More »

Height: 42 in. (106.68 cm) Width: 70 in. (177.80 cm) Depth: 30 in. (76.20 cm) Country of Origin:France Style:Art Deco Condition:Restored Year:c. 1920 Description:Elegant round Art Deco bar with green marble top and a set of three matching bar stools.   « Less

Height: 17 in. (43.18 cm) Width: 20 in. (50.80 cm) Depth: 9.5 in. (24.13 cm) Country of Origin:France Condition:Ecellent Year:19th C. Description:Stunning bronze inkwell with  More »

Height: 17 in. (43.18 cm) Width: 20 in. (50.80 cm) Depth: 9.5 in. (24.13 cm) Country of Origin:France Condition:Ecellent Year:19th C. Description:Stunning bronze inkwell with winged figural man and eagle and vulture on each side on green marble base. This is truly a majestic piece.   « Less

Height: 8 in. (20.32 cm) Width: 20 in. (50.80 cm) Depth: 11 in. (27.94 cm) Country of Origin:USA Style:Belle Epoque Condition:Ecellent Year:c. 1900 Description:Beautiful  More »

Height: 8 in. (20.32 cm) Width: 20 in. (50.80 cm) Depth: 11 in. (27.94 cm) Country of Origin:USA Style:Belle Epoque Condition:Ecellent Year:c. 1900 Description:Beautiful antique bronze elephant themed desk set. This set includes one inkwell with two bronze elephants on a verde green marble base, one smaller bronze elephant on a separate verde green marble base as well as a bronze elephant letter opener. These turn of the century pieces are an etremely rare and unique find!   « Less

Country of Origin:France Condition:Ecellent Year:19th C.Beautiful antique bronze inkwell of renowned Native American chief Crazy Horse on green marble base.

Country of Origin:France Condition:Ecellent Year:19th C.Beautiful antique bronze inkwell of renowned Native American chief Crazy Horse on green marble base.   « Less

Country of Origin:France Condition:Ecellent Year:19th C.Elegant bronze Native American head inkwell on green marble base.

Country of Origin:France Condition:Ecellent Year:19th C.Elegant bronze Native American head inkwell on green marble base.   « Less