1940 Salesman Sample Embroidered Dutch Boy Fingertip Guest Towel This rare embroidered birdseye cotton guest or fingertip towel was a salesman or store sample for Wonder Art, makers of stamped embroidery linens. The 16" by 22" towel has an embroidered cross stitch design of a Dutch boy with potted tulips and a fence or rail background done in orange-red and two shades of blue. The scalloped hem is finished with white crocheted lace edging.

A sturdy cardboard paper tag is stapled to a lower corner of the towel which reads "Trade-Mark Wonder Art, Sample Model No. 372, Not For Sale, Worked With Perlene Embroidery Cotton". Stamped in red on the tag is the date Jul 15 1940. The towel has no holes or tears but there is some light soiling near the design area and along the fold lines.

Circa: 1940
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Wonder Art  

Flow Blue Hand Painted Roses Sugar Shaker Muffineer I believe this late Victorian flow blue shaker is a muffineer or sugar shaker as it has a grid of 16 extra large holes at the top, too many and much too big for salt. About 3-1/4" tall, the paneled body has a pretty design of hand painted roses and gold gilt all the way around. The underside is salt glazed. There is no stopper and the shaker is unmarked, indicating probable 1890 or earlier production. Minor wear to the gold gilt decoration, one dark pink rose has a couple of small scratches to the paint. Otherwise excellent condition.

Circa: 1880s
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Unsigned Victorian Semi Porcelain  

Deep Purple Victorian Porcelain Mug or Stein with Hand Painted Plums A tall unmarked Victorian porcelain beer mug or stein with a dramatic hand painted plums decoration. The color below the fruit is what I'd call an indigo or cobalt purple, very deep and dark. It's hard to see with the heavy, dark glaze, but the mug blank has in-mold feather filigree designs at the base and handle, and there's a subtle paneled effect below the rim. About 6-1/4" high by 4-3/8" diameter at the bottom swell, 3" diameter at the rim.

There is some light all-over crazing, which is only visible on the unpainted and very light colored areas, and then only upon very close examination. Other than a pinprick size glaze skip or flake to the front center of the design opposite the handle, there is no damage or wear to the mug or the painted design.

Circa: 1900
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Victorian China Painting  

Hand Painted Lilacs or Violets Porcelain Tea Trivet Lovely hard paste porcelain tea pot trivet dating to the early 1900s with hand painted lilacs or violets in purples and greens. The design was signed by the artist, either Luke M. or Suke M.

There are a couple of tiny chips on the underside and one that shows from the front. It looks like someone tried to repair it long ago and the repair itself broke down or deteriorated. The closeup photo is greatly enlarged to show detail, it isn't as noticeable as it looks in the pictures. There is some light wear to the painted design as shown, but it still displays very nicely.

Circa: 1905
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Victorian China Painting  

Pre-1920s Japan Hand Painted Floral Serving Plate This antique hand painted 10" floral plate isn't marked but I believe it was made in Japan prior to the 1920s. It has hand painted colorful flowers and an embossed orange-red rim with gold trim and raised moriage treatment on some of the flowers. The only marking is a raised 4-pointed star at the center underside, which is actually a firing support mark. It's a pretty plate for use or display and has no damage and little if any wear.

Circa: 1890 - 1918
Country of Origin: JP
 

Children Playing Robin Hood Antique Porcelain Tea Trivet This turn-of-the-century or early 1900s hard paste porcelain china tea trivet or hot plate is decorated with a charming scene of children at play, dressed up as Robin Hood and Maid Marian. It isn't marked but is probably German in origin. About 6-3/8" diameter. The only damage is a small chip on the underside unglazed ring with a thin hairline just below it. The hairline does not extend to the rim nor show on the front. The decal has some wear as shown.

Circa: 1890 - 1900
Country of Origin: DE
Manufacturer: Unmarked  

Antique Cobalt Blue American Transferware Sectional Platter I've been unable to determine the maker of this very old divided plate or platter. The only mark reads: "Registered and Patented in U.S.". It's fully glazed, heavy pottery and measures 12" diameter. The platter is divided into four sections, two large and two smaller. The cobalt blue floral decorations are obviously transfers, judging from the one that slipped, but there are no dots and the blue ink is a bit smeary, similar to the bleeding of flow blue but not as pronounced. The platter has no chips or cracks, but it's quite crazed and the underglaze age discoloration has given it a wonderful antique mottled appearance. There is a fleabite scratch to one of the section dividers that has penetrated the glaze to the whiteware underneath. It's shown at about 10 o'clock in the first photo. A wonderful display piece for your vintage blue & white kitchen, buffet, or china cabinet.

Circa: Early 1900s
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: American Unspecified