A young woman in relaxed pose plays a lute on this painting set under glass and mounted on a square gilt back with fine openwork frame. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#2 Enamel Pinwheel
Colorful openwork enamel pinwheel with tinted steel jeweled border. One spoke has a bit of missing enamel. Gilt reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#3 Motiwala Peacocks on Green Glass
A gilt peacock pair amongst showy floral blooms decorates the surface of this transparent green glass mounted in a silver rim. By the Motiwala Brothers of India, mid-20th century. Silver support bar with loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#4 Scaramouche Steel Cup
A large steel cup version of the theatrical Scaramouche, a Commedia dell’arte character, serenading from his perch on the crescent moon amongst feather plume clouds. A similar version is shown BBB PL 160-13. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#5 Moon & Star Paperweight
A silver crescent Man in the Moon and star cut-out are encased within this paperweight with cobalt and goldstone base. Signed and dated 2001 on the reverse by artist Skip Dubois. Wire shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#6 Ivoroid Pair
A blue tint poppy flower and seed pod in ivoroid and a leafy branch in sepia tinted ivoroid. Both have japanned steel reverses with loop shanks. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#7 Flora Enamel with Paste Border
A colorful sprig of floral blooms beautifully graces this emaux peints enamel. A sparkling border of pastes set in the gilt mount frames the enamel. Wire U shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#8 Silhouette Over Butterfly Wing
A dreamy reverse painted silhouette scene depicts a child, or winged fairy, petting a doe in a forest setting. The iridescent blue morpho butterfly wing background provides the magic. Signed PhiL for Phil Lindley. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#9 A Pleasant Encounter
A gentleman presents a rose to a lady on this charming emaux peints enamel with gilt rococo border. There is some scratching on the enamel surface, only noticeable when angled in the light. Gilt reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#10 Monochromatic Farmhouse Transfer
An architectural transfer scene with black background and reverse, as seen in BBB PL 5-19. Self-shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#11 CC Glass in Black Glass
An oval intermixed blue and white glass cabochon decorated with red rosebuds and goldstone is mounted in a faceted black glass base. Four-way brass shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#12 Blue Monochromatic Enamel Scene
This blue monochrome emaux peints enamel depicts a castle-like structure with lakeside view. Chevron border design. Shown BBB PL 260-9. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#13 Burwood Manor and Carriage Scene
An extra-large openwork painted burwood depicts a large manor house and carriage traveling the tree-lined road in front of the house. A passenger in the carriage sits under an umbrella. Two-hole sew-thru. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#14 Boards with Steel Screws
Great Victorian one-piece brass depicting three wooden boards held together by four steel screws. Brass wire U shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#15 Spratling Mexican Silver
A modified pyramid shape in silver by renowned Taxco artist, William Spratling. Backmarks include artist’s maker’s mark, SPRATLING SILVER, MADE IN MEXICO, STERLING. Silver loop shank. One loop end is no longer attached, but the shank’s strength is not compromised. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#16 Enamel Basket with Paste Border
A basket of blue and pink blooms with festive blue bow and ribbons decorates the porcelain center framed by a border of pastes. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#17 Diaper Pattern Carved Shell
Well-carved dark pearl in a diamond (diaper) pattern with etched and gilt “stitches” at each cross point. Brass shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#18 Jeweled Pinshank Horn
Black horn with a finely lined center and crosshatch border is set with a center paste. An inner beaded border and outer raised dot border add pattern interest. Loop shank and plate on the reverse complete the pinshank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#19 Opaline Lacy Glass in Metal
Very rare pictorial opaline lacy glass flower set in a gilt brass setting. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#20 18th C. Pearl
Beautifully carved late 18th century pearl with paste center jewel and gilt beaded inner border. Hefty drilled loop on the pinshank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#21 Wessel Religious Scene
A colorful religious theme lithograph mounted under a beveled watch crystal by H.G. Wessel. Signed on the reverse HGW with a wire U shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#22 Tree With Wood Background
A brass tree over a wood background features a floral integrated border design. Japanned reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#23 Paisley Border Lacy Glass
This stunning Lacy Glass with three textures (imitation fabric, faceting, and smooth) features a radial design and a paisley border. Shown and classified as Radial R-6-017b pgs. 25, 33 & 58 of Joy Journeay’s book “Is It Lacy Glass?” Reverse shows intact original paint with brass shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#24 Pressed Wood Fable
Extra large pressed wood fable of the Stork and the Fox. Set in metal with knotted wood design original tint brass border. Japanned reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#25 Painted Roses Glass in Metal
Colorful enamel painted triple rose bloom design on white glass mounted in a decorative “twinkle” border. Japanned reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#26 Carnelian Realistic Blossom
A large cut and polished carnelian gemstone in the shape of a floral bloom. Five-hole sew-thru. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#27 Leaping Deer Jasperware
This extra-large ceramic jasperware features a leaping doe and stag and an interrupted antler border design. Reverse shows SR ‘88 for Stella Rzanski. Self-shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#28 Ruby Glass and Enamel
Ruby red glass jewels, baroque seed pearls, and a scalloped turquoise enamel border decorate this early openwork silver. Not in the best condition, but interesting for its complexity. Loop shank on a post. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#29 Rosette Shank Glass
A transparent peach glass button from the early part of the 20th century in the realistic shape of a flower. The deeper coloring comes from darker glass fused to the underside of the petals. Silver luster is on the calyx. A similar button is shown BBB PL 41-2. Rosette shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#30 Gaumond Acorn
A playful realistic glass acorn by studio artist Mary Gaumond. The acorn cap is formed with a wire overlay. Artist’s signature cane on the reverse. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#31 Wire-wrapped Malachite
This small Div. I malachite gemstone button sports a gold rim with twisted gold-wire wrap and gold floret top-knot. The metal has tested gold.
Steel loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#32 Arita Lily
Rectangular black-body Arita porcelain featuring a Lily bloom in relief. Reverse shows Arita backmarks and the self-shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#33 Brass Rabbit in Horn
This processed and polished black horn mount features a brass running rabbit scene. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#34 Poppy in Wood
A Div. I wood button with carved border design features a pierced brass Poppy flower and foliage scene embellished with cut steel jewels. Reverse shows plate and U shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#35 Filigree Butterfly
Large brass realistic butterfly. Beautiful filigree openwork. Brass loop shank formed from the antennae.
Est. selling price is $30-60.
#36 Jeweled Frog
French white metal jeweled frog set in a decorative pierced background.
Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#37 Zia Earthenware
A medium Zia pottery button from the 1940s. Made of earthenware with an image of a bird painted in dark brown over the cream back ground. This type of button was only made for a brief period and are scarce. Two hole sew-thru. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#38 Dragonfly and Bamboo
A one-piece silvered brass with textured background and a wonderfully designed bamboo and dragonfly scene. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#39 Unified Pearl Butterfly
Unusual highly carved pearl butterfly with gilt accents attached to a dark pearl disk by four cut steels. Brass plate and loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#40 Enamel Cicada with Toggle
This silver Cicada toggle button from China is finished in transparent turquoise enamel with a touch of cobalt and black enamel for the eyes. Silver loop shank with toggle attachment. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#41 Dragonfly Pulls Cherub
Charming scene of a Dragonfly pulling a Cherub on a cart on this silvered brass. French tight construction. Self hump shank. Backmark A.P.& CIE. BREVETE PARIS. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#42 Art Deco Butterfly Enamel
This attractive Butterfly enamel in Art Deco styling features areas of basse taille in the background. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#43 Pinwheel Lacy Glass
Clear glass lacy with pinwheel design of alternating swirls of facets and beads. Reverse painted with gold, bronze and black border. Most of the back is intact. Brass hump shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#44 Atlee Tree Fungi
Tree Fungi, commonly known as “chicken of the woods” is depicted in wonderful detail by artist Sara Atlee. The artwork is mounted on a vintage polymer button. Signed and numbered on the reverse. Applied metal plate with cut-out shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#45 Peas in a Pod
A medium and scarce brass button depicting peas in a pod encircled by a foliage border design. Dark matte tinted back. Shown BBB PL 255-17. Japanned reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#46 Black Glass Aristocrat
A small Div. I black glass “Aristocrat” depicts a windmill. An Aristocrat is defined as black glass with an incised design on the flat polished surface filled with either gold or silver luster and the main design is brushed with either gold or silver to contrast with the outline.
Brass plate and loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#47 Green Jewel
Lots of drama on this early Div. III vintage jewel. The green and clear faceted glass stones are mounted in deep wells for a depth of sparkle. Each stone is painted gold on the reverse. Openwork back with wire twist loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#48 Shaking the Apple Tree
A medium story button in stamped brass showing Tom Sawyer shaking the apple tree. Shown BBB PL 198-12. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#49 Blossoming Branch Ivoroid
This sweet Victorian brass tree branch pictorial features ivoroid blossoms protruding through the gold tinted back. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#50 Cheshire Pie Jewel
Small and scarce sextuple “pie” Cheshire jewel. Not often found with purple and white glass.
Set in brass with wobble loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#51 Ivoroid Windmill
Tinted ivoroid windmill scene on this Victorian era pictorial. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#52 Falconer
Rare version of this subject with diaper patterned background and cut steel border. The costume, the features and the coat of arms suggest that this may be the young Louis XII of France (1462-1515). He was the son of Charles, Duke of Orleans & Marie de Cleves. Shown BBB PL 229-8. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#53 18th C. Revival Decoupage Kite Scene
This 19th C. revival of an 18th C. French decoupage scene under glass features a house, a tower-like structure and a flying kite. Decoupage originated in Italy, traveling to France in the 18th Century. Small pieces of colored paper form the picture. Because of this type of construction these button scenes are always one-of-a-kind and often present a study in artful naiveté. One piece brass mount with loop shank. Tiny nick on edge of front glass at 7:00 o’clock. (NOTE: Description revised after catalog printing). Est. selling price is $200-400.
#54 18th C. Kite Flyers
A delightful 18th century octagonal shell engraved with a sepia tinted scene of timeless enjoyment. Swaged-in copper plate and loop shank. The loop has separated on one end and twisted from the original orientation, but remains solidly firm. Est. selling price is $600-1500.
#55 Steel with Turquoise Glass
An openwork metal mount is all-over studded with tiny individually riveted steel jewels and embellished with turquoise glass cabochons. U shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#56 Featherwork Bird
A proud bird strutting amidst a showy landscape was created using tiny jewel-tone feathers. Set under glass against a glowing pearl background. 14K gold mount. Reverse shows gold mark and loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#57 18th C. Engraved Copper
This 18th century copper is engraved with an unusual pattern of scrolls and flowers in a drapery effect. Heavy copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#58 Nouveau Flower Jewel
Delightful nouveau flowers with three square faceted green glass jewels, with the flowers forming part of the border. Elongated loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#59 Steel Ducks Brass Pictorial
Steel shaped ducks swim across the rippling water and amongst the cattails on this 19th C. pictorial. Shown BBB PL 135-19. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#60 Kite Flying Girl Cobalt Glass
Now we find our kite-flier as a young girl with her cat on this modern handpainted scene on cobalt glass. A Geri Peck design, manufactured and painted in the Czech Republic, by a family of skilled artisans in the style of early 20th C. Mary Gregory glass. Only 50 buttons of each design were produced. Backmarked HGP 07 with brass plate and loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#61 Birmingham Trade
A composition Birmingham trade button with center paste pinshank mounted in copper. A serrated brass rim forms the border. Another Birmingham trade is in Lot 227 and Lot 241. Copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#62 18th C. Woodback
Fine example of an 18th century woodback with domed gilt brass front in imitation fabric design crimped to a wood back with cat gut shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#63 Wood Inlay
This dome shaped wood from the 19th C. features a pretty rose bloom pearl inlay and dotter pearl inlay border design. Self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#64 Israel Sulphide Head PW
A fine example of Jacques Israel’s sulphide head paperweights. This one features the plumed helmeted head of a warrior with striped blue twisted cane border. Iron wire shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#65 S/M Calico Pair
A small and medium mother/daughter pair of brown print calico china buttons. Four-hole sew-thrus. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#66 Botanical Brass Duo
Two brass buttons from two different eras of the 19th century. One is a Golden Age gilt with a Thistle, Rose, and Shamrock border design, symbols of the United Kingdom. The other is a French Tight with an attractive design (and great border button) depicting bamboo roots, shoots, and leaves. Backmarks are WADHAMS, COE & CO, EXTRA RICH, and T.W&W, HM, PARIS BREVETE S.G.D.G. Loop shanks. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#67 Commemorative Revolution Enamel
This large French enamel on copper from the late 19th century commemorates the French revolution. Copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#68 18th C. Third Estate Engraving
This lot and the next are from an 18th century French Revolution era colored engraving set that also included Lot #83 in our last auction. Here two commoners from the “third estate” share a toast. Copper rim, iron reverse, loop shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#69 18th C. Three Estate’s Symbols
This 18th century French Revolution era colored engraving under glass depicts symbols of the three Estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoner. Copper rim, iron reverse, loop shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#70 Wedgwood Jasperware Goat
Animals unaccompanied by humans are rare in Wedgwood jasperware. Signed and quality-marked sterling silver setting. Early 20th century. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#71 Verbal French Liberty Cap
Small one-piece brass French Revolution commemorative with a Phrygian (liberty) Cap depiction and the words “REPUBLICAIN FRANCAIS. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#72 18th C. Pearl with Steel and Paste
This 11-pt star 18th C. engraved pearl design features diamond-shaped steels attached with steel jewels and a center faceted paste. Copper loop and plate complete the pinshank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#73 18th C. Engraved White Alloy
This choice white metal alloy from the 18th C. features an engraved lobed quatrefoil design and “wigglework” detail. Shown BBB PL 84-16. Heavy loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#74 Theatrical Portrait with Paste Border
A colored lithograph of a lovely lady in ruffled collar and feathered headpiece, likely a stage costume. The portrait is mounted under glass in a copper rim with paste border. Gilt crossbar reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#75 Steel Cup with Wood
This steel cup features a carved wood center with overlapping circle design. The wood is decorated with a brass openwork leafy scroll medallion with center rayed sun design. Cut steel jewels embellish the brass. Steel wire loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#76 Limoges Porcelain Girl
A transfer and luster-decorated porcelain button features the portrait of a young woman. Bkmk LIMOGES FRANCE with self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#77 Silver Men Sharing A Drink
Two men share camaraderie and drinks at an outdoor table on this hallmarked silver. Reverse shows maker’s mark N&H and other hallmarks. Silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#78 Carved Pearl Shell
Carved and etched dark pearl with a shell design surrounded by etched leaves with gilt accents. Four-way brass shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#79 Transfer Duo
This pair of porcelain discs set in brass features polychrome transfers of a seated couple. We will leave the determination up to the viewer to decide if the scenes represent lovers, or a mother and her son. Brass mounts with brass loop shanks. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#80 Composition with Heart Inlays
Tinseled composition sew-thru button with four shiny white metal embedded hearts on the face.
Est. selling price is $10-30.
#81 18th C. Woodback
This 18th century woodback features an intricately designed yellow metal face in imitation of fine threadwork. Original catgut shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#82 18th C. Passementerie
Coiled metallic thread outlines the foil-petals, creates the foliage, and forms the border on this 18th C. passementerie. Reverse shows thread shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#83 18th C. Theatre Francais
Sepia engraving on paper under glass of the Theatre Français. This famous Parisian theatre for the arts was established by King Louis IV in 1680. Verbally labeled on face of button. Copper rim. Gilt copper reverse and loop shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#84 18th C. En Grisaille Painting
This 18th century en grisaille painting of a classical figure with harp features an extra fancy embellishment of gold trimming and a sprinkling of gold and pearl flecks. This button is shown in Ertell’s The Colorful World of Buttons, Plate 16-7. Under glass with copper rim. Iron reverse with heavy loop shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#85 Wahaba Rose
A red rose is engraved and tinted in fossil ivory on this Wahaba button. Artist’s signature is on the lower right front. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#86 United Shell Tower Scene
This fabulous and intricate carved shell scene is united to a shell with a mirror-like iridescent finish. The carved scene depicts two figures around a castle tower structure. Two cut steel jewels unite the two shells. Two-hole sew-thru. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#87 Victorian Jewel
Finely made silvered metal with open needlework design and faceted amethyst glass cabochon center. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#88 Large Cupid Porcelain
Cupid swings from a floral garland on this large porcelain handpainted porcelain with gold luster border design. Self shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#89 18th C. Copper Zeus & Ganymede
A deluxe copper button depicts Zeus and Ganymede in its die-struck and silver-plated reserve surrounded by an elaborate hand-tooled border. Gilded back and copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#90 Rare Red Lacy Glass Spindle
Very rare and mint condition spindle shape red lacy glass, with two impressed flowers in gold luster outline and multiple swirling silver lustered rows of imitation cut steels. 100% of the back paint is intact.
Brass 4-way box shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#91 King Charles Spaniel Enamel
This small black and white enamel accented with yellow and pink on face depicts a King Charles spaniel. Cut steel border.
Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#92 Woven Silk Pictorials
Two pictorial woven silk covered buttons including a Tyrolean couple and a depiction of the young Shirley Temple. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#93 Ivoroid Duo
A small ivoroid pictorial of a young girl and her goats, and a large ivoroid pictorial titled “Flora and the Hind.” Metal loop shanks. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#94 Pavone Ladybug Set
A set of five clever handpainted buttons by Marie-Christine Pavone depicting a wandering ladybug. Mounted on a card signed by the artist. Self-shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#95 Noah’s Ark Realistic
A cute white metal realistic depiction of Noah’s Ark and a few of the passengers including an elephant, giraffe, tiger, and zebra. Cast peg shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#96 Leather Clown Mask
A large and beautifully crafted leather studio button of a crying clown mask. Painted and embellished with moveable “faux hair” and ribbon ties. By studio artist Nancy DuBois. Metal loop shank. Signed NB and dated 1996. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#97 Children’s Circus
Here is a large “Children’s Circus”, a wonderful and scarce button in a one-piece brass with a cherub balancing on a faceted steel ball while on a trapeze (tricky!) Very detailed curtain and audience in the background. There is a smaller faceted cut steel ball at either end of the trapeze swing. Shown BBB PL 157-3. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#98 Pietra Dura Elephant
A colorful elephant is composed of malachite, lapis lazuli, jasper, mother of pearl, and turquoise, all inlaid into a black stone base with an applied shank of the same stone. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#99 Elephant and Castle
A realistic and majestic elephant carved from tropical hardwood carries a particular howdah on his back, most notably a castle. This “elephant and castle” symbol has been used since classical antiquity and symbolizes strength. Brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#100 Circus Elephant
A very scarce brass ELEPHANT wearing a circus blanket, balancing on a silvered brass ball. Shown BBB on the opposite page from PL 156.
Steel back and loop shank. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#101 Verbal Rabbit Pictorial
Two small tinned metals picture buttons feature a rabbit learning his ABC’s. Japanned reverses with loop shanks. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#102 Owl Netsuke
A rather fierce-looking Owl Netsuke in molded polymer. One corner of his lower back tail feathers has chipped away, though its a clean break and not particularly noticeable. Tunnel sew-through. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#103 Country Mouse City Mouse
This very VERY scarce button depicts two mice and a steel cheese trap. One wise mouse is running away, while the other naive mouse is about to meet its demise. Shown BBB PL 152-8. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#104 Lion and Lamb Heart
This cast white metal features a lion and a lamb sharing the heart shaped space. Great addition to a religious tray.
Cast loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#105 Souvenir Dog
A medium stamped brass button with a cute picture of a toy terrier holding a sign marked “Souvenir”. Shown BBB PL 120-8. Metal loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#106 Dog Head in Bicorn Hat
A small realistic head of a terrier dog sporting a military style bicorn hat. Silvered brass. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#107 Classic Warrior’s Head
A brass pictorial depicting the helmeted head of a mythological god or warrior. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#108 Verbal Ivoroid Liberty Head
Fabulous molded ivoroid Head of Liberty bursting through a paper mounted on a large celluloid dish. LIBERTY marks her headpiece.
Applied celluloid d loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#109 Achilles with Head Border
A great mythology button featuring the Greek warrior Achilles in a two-horse driven chariot. An interesting border is embellished with twelve cut steel jewels interspersed between twelve stamped brass head portraits. A version of this button is found BBB PL 174 – 11. Elongated brass loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#110 LIDZ Verbal Goddess
Two white metal buttons with the same Goddess charioteer scene. One is unmarked on the reversed and the other is marked LIDZ. Loop shanks. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#111 Minerva in Gutta Percha
A detailed copper tinted metal escutcheon of Minerva mounted on gutta percha with a finely rayed background and raised rim. Brass plate and loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#112 Silver Openwork Cherub
A cherub holds an open book on this hallmarked openwork late 19th century silver with rococo scrolled border design. The hallmarks on the front include maker’s mark SJ. Silver loop shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#113 18th C. Jasperware
A young woman proffers a libation above a flaming urn on this likely Continental jasperware button. Steel collet, gilded rim, tinned-sheet iron back, copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#114 18th C. En Grisaille Warrior in Gold
The head of a warrior done in pink en grisaille enamel centers this fantastic 18th century button. Surrounding the portrait is a ring of green pierreries that border a ring of cobalt basse taille enamel with a garland of floral paillons. The portrait is framed in gold and has a heavily rose-gilded back. Est. selling price is $600-1500.
#115 Silk Head Pair
Two small silk pictorials featuring classical female heads. The slightly larger button has a printed head on silk fabric with gold paint decorative finish for the background and a metal rim mount. The other head is woven in the silk. Both have thread shanks. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#116 Tsubaki Silver Zodiac Set
A complete Zodiac Set by studio artist Cindy Tsubaki in Sterling silver. The twelve signs are intricate, detailed, and fabulous. The center close-up view is Aquarius, the water carrier. She holds a large nautilus shell with water streaming from it, as her long hair flows behind her. Several have the artist’s maker’s mark on the reverse. Loop shanks. Est. selling price is $600-1500.
#117 18th C. Copper with Pearl and Steel
An unusual 18th century copper embellished with two other materials. Pearl discs are set in recessed circles of the copper and held with steel pins. An elaborate punched border design reflects the ingenuity of the maker. Heavy copper loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#118 Deluxe Enamel Portrait
A large and deluxe champleve enamel portrait on gilded brass of a 16th century youth with hand painted facial detail. Shown BBB PL 227-8. It has an elaborate stamped brass border. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#119 Openwork Steel Cup
A great addition to a steel cup tray is this openwork steel cup filled with an openwork pattern of individually riveted cut steel jewels in various sizes and shapes. Wire U shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#120 Oval Architectural Micromosaic
A micromosaic in delicate colors of sky blue, green, and gold depicts a classical structure. The oval black glass frame is mounted in darkened metal, likely silver. Reverse has two (2) close together shanks meant to firmly attach button. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#121 Damascene Landscape
Excellent example of damascene with black background mountain (probably Mt. Fuji) in distance, houses in forefront, and scalloped border. Brass mount with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#122 Realistic Arita Fish
A colorful Arita porcelain realistic fish in bright orange with gold and black accent colors. Arita TK backmark and self shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#123 Mother and Child Satsuma
A lovely medium and old Satsuma porcelain featuring a mother and child in an outdoor setting with iris. The woman appears to be reading to the child from a scroll she holds in her hands. Soft-edged self-shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#124 Full Figure Fortune Gods Set
Here is a hard-to-find set of Arita porcelain full figure Japanese Fortune Gods. Their names and attributes are (from top left to bottom right): Jurojin (Wisdom and Longevity), Benzaiten (Beauty and the Arts and only goddess), Fukurokuju (Wealth and Longevity), Hotei (Happiness), Bishamonten (Protection against evil), Ebisu (Prosperity and Commerce), and Daikokuten (Agriculture). Self shanks. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#125 Old Satsuma Dragon
A gold-encrusted dragon winds around the surface of this old Japanese Satsuma porcelain with gold-dotted black border. Soft-edged self shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#126 Gin Bari Finch
The exquisite detail of this medium gin bari depicts a little finch flying over water. Silver mount. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#127 Japanese Iris Satsuma
This very old Satsuma porcelain from Japan features a lovely scene of delicate and expertly painted iris blooms in teal, orange, and purple nestled amongst the foliage. The reverse shows a curved needle self shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#128 Shell Rickshaw Jewel
This extra-large jeweled button features a shell disk with a lacquered and gilded rickshaw scene surrounded by a double border of claw-set pastes. Brass reverse with loop shank. Est. selling price is $200-400.
#129 Satsuma Japanese Royal Wedding
This satsuma commemorates the Japanese royal wedding of the Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko in 1959. The Princess was a commoner before her marriage to the heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne. Their love-at-first-sight romance on a tennis court and subsequent marriage broke 2600 years of Imperial tradition. Sharp-edged self shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#130 Fabulous Arita Dragon
An extra-large and fabulous realistic dragon in Arita porcelain from Japan. Double brass shanks set 1/2” apart to securely attach the button. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#131 Arita Realistic Seahorse
A teal green seahorse in Arita porcelain from Japan. Arita backmarks and self shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#132 Repoussé Silver & Enamel Peony
A Japanese repousséd silver and enamel button features a pale blue peony blossom and a lavender bud. Backmarked. Elongated loop shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#133 Royal Baby – Prince Naruhito
This Japanese satsuma celebrates the arrival of Prince Naruhito, the son of Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko, the couple featured on the satsuma in Lot #129. Born in 1960, Naruhito is the current Emperor of Japan. Sharp-edged self-shank. Est. selling price is $100-200.
#134 Oriental Scene Glass
Both silver and gold luster decorate this oriental scene in embossed black glass depicting a woman on a balcony. Molded self shank with thread groove. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#135 Teapot & Cup French Tight
Charming and scarce silvered brass French Tight with Teapot & cup plaque framed by an arching floral sprig. Backmarked T.W & W, HM, PARIS BREVETE S.G.D.G. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#136 Cupid with Heart Paperweight
This medium paperweight on light blue base features a border of alternating floret and heart canes with a center silhouette of Cupid holding a heart. Signed on the reverse Hewlit ‘95. Self shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#137 Brass Overlay on Pearl
Delicately carved and pierced floral pearl with ornate flower and leaf brass overlay attached with two cut steels. Two-hole sew-thru. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#138 Pewter Stork on Green Snail
Detailed pewter stork attached to etched water scene in green snail shell with carved border. Reverse shows plate with loop shank. Est. selling price is $60-100.
#139 Paris Pearl with Brass Wreath Overlay
Beautiful dark iridescent pearl mount in a decorated leaf scroll brass rim with a wreath of the leaves emerging from the border to overlay the pearl center. Reverse shows backmark DEPOSE PARIS and a wire U shank. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#140 Three Enamels and an Other
Three medium enamel buttons including a champleve round and champleve spindle shape, and a Persian enamel set in silver with a bird depiction. The fourth button is a small openwork brass with cut steel embellishment and a center bright cut pewter medallion. All have loop shanks. Est. selling price is $30-60.
#141 Div. I Wood Helmet
This small and scarce button features a warrior’s plumed helmet in carved wood and mounted in a rimmed wood back. The reverse shows the two screws that hold the escutcheon and the self shank. Est. selling price is $10-30.
#142 Plate-Form En Grisaille Enamel
This large medium plate-form enamel button combines two desirable techniques—an en grisaille enamel face and foil-embedded (“Limoges”) clothing—on a most desirable body type, the elusive plate form. Loop shank. Est. selling price is $400-600.
#143 18th C. Enamel Wedding Button
Believed to have been removed from a man’s wedding coat, this exceptional enamel is bordered in bright yellow, the rarest of 18th-century enamel colors, and lavishly decorated with paillons and encrusted green enamel leaves. Note the tiny birds carrying a simple gold wedding ring. Copper rim, back, and loop shank. Est. selling price is $600-1500.
#144 18th C. Mourning Scene
Beautifully drawn and rendered in en grisaille technique with a stippled blue background, a young woman cradles a dove in one hand as her young man writes on a scroll. A painting under glass with a bright gilded rim and a rose-gilded back and loop shank. Est. selling price is $600-1500.
