A good scarce example of a George III high quality enamel over copper hinged pot from either York House, Battersea in London or Bilston, South Staffordshire. Both works were in production at this time, favouring Battersea as the better quality, using distinctive colours like purple and blue. There is a mark inside the lid but most probably from the individual artist

Oval in form with a royal blue flared base and sides. The lid is domed with a hand painted scene featuring a pair of gloved boxers in the ring infront of a small crowd & the words 'Set To' 

Good colours and detailing for c1750

Some minor wear and age related cracks, overall good condition and lid shuts tight 

Interior is 'tin' white with a small specific makers mark in the lid, unidentified 

measures 50 x 37 x 22 mm

310

A late 19th century carved piece of Black Forest treen in the form of a monkeys head with good detailing on his face & amber glass eyes. Rich in patina and highly collectable with original marbled porcelain inkpot fitted into the interior cavity

Black Forest or Schwarzwald carvings originally come from the Brienz region of Switzerland, often mistakenly thought to be from southwest Germany. 

They were traditionally made from a softwood like limewood or walnut which was easy to carve and then stained to a darker hue, more popular for the tourist market in the 19th century 

Typically unsigned 

Good conditon with brass fitting hinge

measures 7cm high x 5.5 cm wide

180

A gem of a small natural seed pearl diadem or tiara of five vertical flowers on a double row &  chevroned arch, made between 1820-1830

The craft of weaving tiny pearls onto a pierced Mother of Pearl frame with fine naturally strong thread was considered the height of fashion in the Georgian Era and only afforded by the very finest of houses

This piece has a constructed rose gold gallery to the reverse with 7cm long pin that hooks securely and is fully mounted onto the frame with tiny screwed in metal supports. There are two small round bales at either end presumably to thread a length of ribbon or velvet to secure around the head or large 'top knot' of hair. A feat of engineering for such a fragile material

Condition is good with some minor gaps where tiny pearls are adrift but does not detract from it's sublime beauty and elegance

12 cms long, 5 cms high 

450

Made by the revered costumier Auguste & Cie from Paris, designing costumes for the ballet, opera and theatre in Paris & London from 1880. Considered so important in the world of historical costume that the V&A Museum have some of his pieces in their achives, some on recent display 

This superb bolero jacket of rich purple velvet with cream lace cuffs and elaborate passementarie trim is a rare survivor and beautifully made in quality, design and cut. The filigreed metal pom poms are particularly lovely and the lining is of a small squared ivory quilting in silk 

The black and gold sewn label is clearly original, shouting it's provenance with the royal coat of arms and plume of feathers for the reign of Queen Victoria & Prince Albert 

As illustrated, the velvet is very worn away in the front panels and some poms poms are missing but a genuine piece of couture in the history of costume & perfectly wearable

Size is small, UK 6

320

A medium sized birchwood 3ply circular hat box with matching well fitted flat lid and perforated metal bindings/protectors, made in the early part of the 20th century.  

This style of hat box was mass produced and manufactured in Estonia by the Russian company Luterma, established in 1897 and distributed by the British 'Venesta Plywood Company', founded in 1908. The name Venesta was a combination of the words 'veneers' and 'Estonia'

In 1930 the US luggage manufacturer Samson, later Samsonite, copied the design, adding an extra reinforced layer of ply to the top and bottom of the boxes (this box does not have the extra layer) 

Along with other products such as pails, crates and chests these hat boxes were the most popular and came in four different sizes 'made to nest' 

Condition has surface wear and remains of the leather straps only, good colour. 

No stamp 

15 inches in diameter

9.5 inches high

125

An rare example of high quality millinery for the early 19th century. This bonnet of champagne silk is hand ruched onto a wire frame to create a wonderful wide brim to protect ones head (& reputation of course) The nape has a wide frill and condition is very good, even wearable but worthy of a collection of historical fashions during the Regency period

110

Carved from horn, these were highly sort after in the early 1900's with the naturalistic theme of insects being popular around the Art Nouveau period. Two such famed artist were Bonte or Georges which this has all the qualities of either however unmarked

This brooch depicts a curled winged hornet and has it's original steel pin 

Measures 5 cms between the wing tips

160

Oval in shape & pocket-sized in stature, this little lidded pot would have been hand-made in the late 19th century for tobacco or snuff. Materials used were birch bark & leather which were then pressed together with rabbit glue and heat, then polished & lacquered. Typically Northern European in origin

Lid is tight fitting and in good condition

Measures 5.5 cms across, 3 cms wide and 4 cms high

68

A good example of hand-tooled town shoes or cycle-footwear with dark brown leather uppers, distinct decorative overlay stitching in pinked or zig-zag edges and low heels from the late Edwardian era

Scuff marks throughout and leather softened over time with worn elasticated side panels 

Slim fit for a UK size 4

115

A truly fabulous Art Deco long selection of black, amber and cream bakelite beads on black knotted thread in different shapes and sizes with a nod to the Egyptian Revival Movement in the 1920's, after the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb

The cream coloured beads are carved with hieroglyphics and the long drop pendant contains a fitted glass perfume vial with original stopper inside it's cavity

Condition is good with some surface wear and a loss to the inside of the pendants thread. Seals perfectly well

26 inches long

120

A fabulous example of a 19th century gingerbread mould made from beeswax, darkened into a rich patina over time, originating from mostly Germany. The Love, Hope & Glory motif sit in the base with deep ribs around the interior wall. These were handcrafted by country folk around the Easter & Christmas celebrations

11cms in diameter

55 

Two characters in original costume from Cornwall. A pirate with peg leg, eye patch and red headscarf and a jolly sailor with barrel chest and stripey blue and white jersey with matching cap & cotton fishermans smock

Sculpted from plaster hands, lower limbs and head, these have then been hand-painted with a varnished finish and made in the 1950's by a group of ladies from Looe. Scarce to find and known as Shallowpool Toys

Both are approx 8 inches long

78 each

A lovely example of a double-sided Georgian card case in 'ox blood' red  leather with a removable inner sleeve and expanding sides 

The papier mache panels front and back are exquistely painted and lacquered, a lovers scene on one side and a woman in red velvet dress & lace veil with rich adornments

Some surface wear 

measures 13.5 cms x 6.5 cms

145

Most probably used for apothecary use and in exceptional hand blown condition with no chips or cracks. Graduating in three sizes and beautifully ribbed in a spiral motion

60

Two panels of a gentleman's waistcoat from the first half of the 18th century with the finest embroidery hand-sewn into a faded blue backgound of finely woven silk with some remains of the lining to the reverse

The small botanical sprigs are scattered throughout to match a wider margin of similar flowers, lillies, peonies & what look to be pale carnations running alongside the entire buttonholed edges and bottom seam. Each silk floral is a light piece of artwork in subtle shades of pink, green or gold 

This exceptional work would only have been made for the highest of French aristocracy and tailored specifically to the wearer

measures 57 cms long x 32 cms across widest point

sold

A rare working automaton by inventor & creator, Elie Martin from La Rochelle, France released in 1880 

Elie Martin was best known for his Ondine swimming doll in 1878 and the incredible "Panorama Lilliput" working with artists of the time like Victor Hugo

His painter and poet son, Maurice Martin worked closely with Rodin before following in his father's footsteps, going on to form Martin & Bonneau 

This charming jumping poodle is  constructed of a metal body around the clever mechanism held within, operated by a key to the tummy. He has glass eyes and soft floppy ears with open pink mouth and black painted nose. The original sheepskin is mostly intact and the metal legs and face have remains of soft cream kid leather. He is entirely original with no signs of restoration 

When wound his hind quarters go down and he jumps forward several times, with his front legs stretched forward in a playful motion. 

His condition is fair for his 146 years and granted, he does have a somewhat scruffy appeal but most extraordinarily still works as Monsieur Martin intended

Measuring 20 cms long and 16 cms high

(key not original)

sold

Dating from around the early part of the nineteenth century, this is a superb example of a birth pillow or christening cushion using teeny steel pins to decorate and write messages for a newborn baby.

Made of silk over strong calico with a wide fringing, there are the remains of a blue silk ribbon around the edge & the pins all look to be present. This one is filled with fine sand so has a good weight of approx 500g

There is some detachment of the upper fringe and surface wear, no holes

16 cms x 12 cms, 6cms high

sold

A beautiful example of an early c20th scratch built small dwelling with hinged shutters, outside steps to a hayloft on the left side and a well to the right with a turning handle. Paint is well worn and soulful, approx 80-100 years worth 

She measures 36 x 26 x 16 cms

sold 

Oil on board of a lady from the 18th century with traditional large lace bonnet over tight auburn curls. She wears a black dress with soft folds of muslin around her neckline. Her brown eyes and slightly ruddy complexion suggest a woman from rural surroundings, quite possibly an English rose or further afar to Northern France or Flanders. 

The original black and gilt bevelled oval frame has the panel secured with metal pins to the reverse

17.5 cms high x 14 cms across

sold