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

Tiffany Studios bronze dark patina note pad in the pineneedle etched meal pattern with green glass. The piece measures 7 3/4" X 5" and is in excellent conditon with  More »

Tiffany Studios bronze dark patina note pad in the pineneedle etched meal pattern with green glass. The piece measures 7 3/4" X 5" and is in excellent conditon with no damage, which is rare to find in this piece of Tiffany desk sets in particuliar. The pad is signed Tiffany Studios, New York. #1022 on the back side as shown.   « Less

100% genuine authentic Antique Victorian mother of pearl and solid gold fountain pen and original case. The beautifully hand carved shaft is made of iridescent rich solid  More »

100% genuine authentic Antique Victorian mother of pearl and solid gold fountain pen and original case. The beautifully hand carved shaft is made of iridescent rich solid mother of pearl. The gold is finely chased with a Victorian pattern and signed E.J. Wertz Chicago. Tip size #2. 6 inches long. Circa 1890s.   « Less

Mother-of Pearl Opera Glasses with Extending Handles and Faceted Barrels and Gilt Metal Stems. Gilt Metal Pair with 'LE MIEUX, PARIS' Marked on Mother-of-Pearl Eyepieces.  More »

Mother-of Pearl Opera Glasses with Extending Handles and Faceted Barrels and Gilt Metal Stems. Gilt Metal Pair with 'LE MIEUX, PARIS' Marked on Mother-of-Pearl Eyepieces. Marked "Made in France" on underside of Middle Metal Bridge   « Less

Mother-of Pearl Opera Glasses with Faceted Barrels. Silver Metal Pair with 'LAMIER, PARIS' Embossed on Eyepieces. all marked 'Made in France' on underside of middle metal  More »

Mother-of Pearl Opera Glasses with Faceted Barrels. Silver Metal Pair with 'LAMIER, PARIS' Embossed on Eyepieces. all marked 'Made in France' on underside of middle metal bridge   « Less

A handsome silver-plate magnifying glass has been fashioned with an antique Japanese cloisonne pommel as its chief ornament. The design of colorful five-petaled florets it  More »

A handsome silver-plate magnifying glass has been fashioned with an antique Japanese cloisonne pommel as its chief ornament. The design of colorful five-petaled florets it set off against a background of silver foil-backed (gin-bari) transparent scarlet enamel. Of approximately 8-1/2 inch full length, the pommel is about two inches long. Meiji Period, Japan, Nineteenth Century. Excellent condition.   « Less

A graceful and well-balanced piece of nautical hand work, this fine dipper features a fluted and inscribed -- "GIVE" on the rim -- coconut cup and delicately turned  More »

A graceful and well-balanced piece of nautical hand work, this fine dipper features a fluted and inscribed -- "GIVE" on the rim -- coconut cup and delicately turned wooden handle. Approximately 13 inches in length, the cup is about four inches tall by 3-1/4 inches wide. American, Nineteenth Century.   « Less

This beautifully crafted lorgnette folds into a gold-mounted tortoise-shell case. The silver-gilt frames have French hallmarks that date the piece to the Nineteenth Century  More »

This beautifully crafted lorgnette folds into a gold-mounted tortoise-shell case. The silver-gilt frames have French hallmarks that date the piece to the Nineteenth Century probably about 1880. Closed, it is approximately 3-5/8 inches long and 1-1/8 inches wide. The lenses are ground for reading.   « Less

African Wooden Portrait Snuff Bottle

African Wooden Portrait Snuff Bottle   « Less