Ivory and Wood Whist Counter: MOP inlaid tabs Antique whist counter with shibayama tabs. The wooden body (3½" x 2") of the counter is decorated with a golden floral design, while the ivory tabs are inlaid with various mother-of-pearl insects and birds. Whist preceded the game of bridge and these counters were used to keep score in the late 19th C. They are extremely hard to find and are sought by collectors of game counters, ivory, shibayama, orientalia, etc.  

Painting on ivory of gentleman Fine portrait on ivory of an early 19th century (late 18th century?) gentleman in a decorative and detailed metal frame. Portrait is well done, signed "Hall" and in excellent condition. Visible image size is ~3¼ x 2½".  

Porcelain pot lid (Pratt) Attractive framed porcelain pot lid. Pot lid is entitled "On Guard", which depicts a sleeping night watchman, who had too much to drink. In addition to a spilled drink and empty jug by his side is his evening companion (his dog). F&R Pratt and Company (Fenton in Staffordshire) apparently invented the process of making underglaze color prints on pot lids and other wares and made these between 1846-1888. This specific lid is depicted (on page 205, plate #340) in the classic book ("The Price Guide to POT-LIDS...") by A. Ball on these lids and is 4" diameter (square frame is 6" on each side).  

Stevengraph woven silk: "The Crystal Palace" These finely woven silk pictures were made on a jacquard loom by Thomas Stevens in Coventry, England in the mid-to late 1880s. "The Crystal Palace" is listed (#9) in "Stevengraphs and other Victorian Silk Pictures" (the classic book on these silk pictures, written by Geoffrey Godden). This silk first appeared in 1886 and is an exterior view of the Crystal Palace, the building of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The woven picture (2½" x 5¼") is in very good condition, was remounted and is in a gold frame (8" x 6"). Hard to find item!!  

Arthur Osborne IVOREX plaque: Beethoven Small oval Ivorex plaque depicting Ludwig Beethoven. Signed on front with the "AO" signature and marked on the back in black: "Ivorex, Copyright in all countries. Arthur Osborne, Made in England". It also has an impressed mark on the bottom edge, with the copyright date (1921). Nice clean condition. Approx. 5" x 3.5". A matching Ivorex plaque of Mozart is also available (see J107 below).  

Arthur Osborne IVOREX plaque: Mozart Small oval Ivorex plaque depicting Wolfgang Mozart. Signed on front with the "AO" signature and marked on the back in black: "Ivorex, Copyright in all countries. Arthur Osborne, Made in England". It also has an impressed mark on the bottom edge, with the copyright date (1921). Nice clean condition. Approx. 5" x 3.5". A matching Ivorex plaque of Mozart is also available (see J106 below).  

Painting on ivory of a lady Fine portrait of a well dressed early 19th (?) century lady in a decorative, detailed and heavy metal (brass?) frame. Portrait is well done, artist signed (Sequin) and is in excellent condition. Visible image size is 2 ½" x 3¼". See matching companion painting on ivory (#D003)  

Painting on ivory of gentleman Fine portrait of an early 19th (?) century gentleman in an attractive uniform with metals in a decorative, detailed and heavy metal (brass?) frame. Portrait is well done, artist signed (Pugh) and is in excellent condition. Visible image size is 2 ½". x 3¼". See matching companion painting on ivory (#D002)  

14K Gold matchbook holder (matchsafe/ vesta) Elaborate vintage matchbook holder made of 14K gold, which has detailed engraving on both the top and bottom. Marked: "A.R.T. MFC, NY, 14K, Pat Jan12, 04". There is also a makers mark that I am unable to photograph. Condition is very good, with only some minor scratches on the non-engraved oval portion of the cover (which could be engraved). Inside is clean and in very good condition and the piece closes tightly. A real conversation piece! Length: 2¼", width: 1 5/8" and height: ~1¼ ". Total weight is 27.39 grams.  

Antique Brass Inkwell Exquisitely detailed brass inkwell that is decorated with raised figures on all surfaces. Birds, cattails and other flowers are present both on the square base and around the body of the inkwell itself. The base rests on 4 ball feet and on the underside one sees that the ink holding compartment is screwed into the base. The hinged lid is very detailed and has a serpent finial on its top. Even the two handles are decorated at their base with shell-like designs. This is an old inkwell, quite heavy, and in excellent condition.  

Antique brass inkwell set Beautiful antique European brass inkwell set with a lovely art nouveau design. The metalwork is well done and the ceramic inserts are present and intact. The lids open smoothly and have a floral decoration that matches the rest of the piece. The underside is impressed: “D. L. Depose” and “Belgium” and “44". The pictures show some of its detail and the piece is quite heavy, and in excellent condition. Dimensions: 10¾(L) x 7"(W) x ~2½”(H).  

Antique porcelain letter holder and inkwell set Hand-painted Victorian letter holder and matching inkwell that is both dated (‘95) and has the artist’s initials on the underside of each piece. The letter holder accommodates several pens (see photos) and each of its cartouches is decorated with lovely bouquets of purple, blue and yellow flowers. Each cartouche is also gilded and matches those around the inkwell and on its unattached lid. Nicely painted and in excellent condition (including the original insert for ink). Letter holder: 3½" (H) x 5¾" (W) x 4¼" (D). Covered inkwell: 2¾"(H) x 3¼" (W) x 3" (D).  

Mother of Pearl Compact -Lipstick- Comb set Vintage Mother of Pearl compact, comb and mirrored lipstick holder set from the early 1950s by Weisner. This set has never been used and is in excellent condition. Compact has a mirror on the inside, a clean flat powder applicator and is ~2¾"x2½"; has a paper label ("Genuine Mother of Pearl by Weisner of Miami"). The comb case is ~4¼x1". The lipstick holder has an attached mirror (2½" diameter) that is surfaced by MOP.  

Vintage art nouveau "lady" sliding book rack Antique bronze or brass (?) expandable tubular book rack, depicting on each end an attractive art nouveau style lady with flowing hair and flowers. This bookrack has two tubular telescoping brass rods. This attractive vintage sliding book rack is ~8½ inches in length in its closed position and expands to a length of ~14½ inches. The ends of the rack are ~5 inches in width and 5½ inches in height. The backside of the end plates have a hammered appearance (see picture) and the number 9788. This is definitely a vintage piece!  

Vintage art nouveau "owl" sliding book rack Antique bronze or brass (?) expandable tubular book rack, depicting on each end a wise old owl surrounded by an art nouveau style design. This vintage sliding book rack is ~8½ inches in length in its closed position and expands to a length of ~14 inches. This bookrack has two tubular telescoping brass rods. The ends of the rack are ~6½ inches in width and 4½ inches in height. The backside of the end plates have a hammered appearance (see picture) and the number 9776. This is definitely a vintage piece!