French Art Deco ring set with two round aquamarines (approx. 6 carats TW), two triangular shape and four baguette diamonds all set in platinum, signed, c. 1930
American Arts & Crafts ring (most likely Boston School) set with a large rectangular shaped pink tourmaline cabochon (approx. 54 carats) set in an elaborate 18k gold handwrought mounting with a garland surround of leaves and scrolling structural ring shank support, c. 1915
Walter Nichols Chinese Art Deco rug with circle motif c. 1935
Walter Nichols Chinese Art Deco rug c. 1935
WALTER NICHOLS China
Chinese Art Deco rug c. 1935
Walter Abner Burns Nichols was one of the most colorful of the American adventurer/entrepreneurs in 1920s China. The Nichols name has come to be used almost synonymously with the ‘Chinese deco’ rugs manufactured in Tientsin, China in the 1920s and 1930s. Nichols did not originate the Chinese deco style, but he did a great deal to popularize it and to maintain its high standards of manufacture.
Nichols began in his youth as a first-class wool grader who went to Tientsin around 1920 to work for the Elbrook family of wool merchants. Nichols started his own business a couple of years later. In a brochure he produced in the late ’20s, with the assistance of Pande-Cameron, he announced: “In 1924 W.A.B. Nichols of Tientsin, North China, introduced the Super Chinese Rug which has become world famous. It is known in every market as the most durable and beautiful product of the modern Chinese weavers art and adorns the homes of people all over the earth.”
Tommi Parzinger, Sterling and enamel pedestal centerpiece bowl on an attached square base with a frog, lily pad and fish motif as part of the overall enamel design c. 1938
TOMMI PARZINGER (1903-1981) Germany/USA
WILLIAM STARK / KARL DRERUP Enamel
PETER REIMES Silversmith
Sterling and enamel pedestal centerpiece bowl on an
attached square base with a frog, lily pad and fish motif as part of the
overall enamel design c. 1938
Robert Phillips, London (1810-1881) Archaeological Revival round “Button” brooch in 18k gold set with a large cabochon salmon coral jewel (15mm in depth x 19mm round) and light sky-blue enamel background with a finely detailed twisted gold wire and beaded applied convex round gold border, original leather and green silk velvet and satin presentation box signed: Phillips, 23 Cockspur Street, London, c.1875
Munnu Kasliwal for Gem Palace “Flower Blossoms” earrings with 34 rose cut round fire opals (approx. 24 carats TW, center fire opals are 2.30 carats each) set in 22K gold, c. 2000
Jules & Louis Wiese Etruscan Revival brooch set with a gem quality cabochon ruby (approx. 4.32 carats by calculation) and two natural pearls (7mm each) all in an elaborate 18k gold mount with intricate twisted scrolls and a gold wire wrapped border signed: Wiese (in Gothic-style signature mark), French diamond maker’s poincon, French Eagle’s head mark for 18k gold, original burgundy leather presentation box with fancy embossed gilt initials on the cover and a vanilla silk velvet and satin interior, c.1875
Art Deco “Fire Opal” necklace, frosted rock crystal round beads and four sided custom rock crystal bezels set in 18K yellow gold with 16 round–cut accent diamonds featuring five large natural fire opals (G.I.A certificate, dimension of each fire opal, 13.00 x 8.15 x 6.20mm for a TW of approx. 17.50 carats), c. 1940’s
Louis Comfort Tiffany for Tiffany & Co. “Oval Moon” brooch set with a large gem quality moonstone (approx. 43 carats) set with 23 Montana sapphires (approx. 8 carats TW), marked: 10% Irid. Plat, c. 1920
Paul Brandt, Paris Art Deco “Zig Zag” cigarette case in sterling with champlevé black enamel zig zags on both sides of the case, signed: S A M initials in a triangle French maker’s poincon, French Boar’s head Paris silver assay mark for small objects (2x), London import mark with a London Zodiac sign of Leo (3x), .925 (silver standard) (4x) and the London letter M date mark for 1927 (3x), no. 18347 (2x), British touchmark of a G and an F in a rectangle, C.B.F initials and the date 7-1928 (script engraving), c.1925
Bulgari, Rome, “Swallowtail Butterfly” brooch, 18k gold with 134 diamonds (approx. 10+ carats TW), 37 buff-cut gold and madeira citrines and buff-cut black onyx set along the edge and as accent details, signed: BVLGARI, original signed brown leather suede and silk lined presentation box, c.1940’s
Enrico Serafini “Pineapple” brooch, 18K yellow and white gold channel set with the pineapple body with citrines with emeralds pave set in the white gold leaves, Marked: 750, Italy, FI, c. 1950’s
Enrico Serafini (1913-1968) was born in Florence, had a workshop in Piazza Santa Felicità in that city in 1947, and quickly established a successful business creating jewelry for many celebrities of that time, including John Steinbeck and Adlai Stevenson.
Seaman Schepps, New York “Maltese Cross” brooch, one large round cut central citrine (approx. 45 carats) set with 4 large square step-cut citrines (approx. 108 carats TW) and further set with four extra long baguette citrines (approx. 13 carats TW) in a radiating pattern set in 14k yellow gold (total citrine carat weight of 166 carats), signed: Seaman Schepps, 14k, c. 1940’s
An immigrant’s son, who grew up in the tenements of New York’s Lower East Side, Seaman Schepps rose to prominence in the 1930s with jewelry designs that challenged the status quo and defined a new style for the American woman. With his chunky brooches, “barbaric” bracelets and “bubble” earrings, Schepps pioneered a unique style of jewelry whose sense of splendor offered a new perspective to the world of fine jewelry.
Witty, over-the-top and flattering, Schepps’ jewelry embodied style and originality and was featured on the covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Look and other magazines. It appealed to a myriad of clients from Katherine Hepburn to Andy Warhol to the Duchess of Windsor and greatly influenced his contemporaries. Today, some 50 years after his death, he continues to inspire modern jewelers.
Through the 1930s, and into the 40s and 50s, new clients flocked to him at his store on Madison Avenue. Often clients wanted a one-of-a-kind bauble and commissioned Schepps to incorporate their old jewelry into a fresh new design. Frequently this led to landmark decisions that helped distinguish Schepps as an extraordinary talent. His client list included Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, the Duchess of Windsor, and members of the Du Pont, Mellon and Rockefeller families. By serving these most powerful and influential individuals, Schepps became known as “America’s Court Jeweler”.
Mahrokh Beck, Munich, Stylized flower brooch with a large square cut citrine, a smaller square cut citrine, yellow and orange oval citrines, sapphires and cognac diamonds all set in 18K yellow gold, c. 2005
MAHROKH BECK Munich, Germany
Stylized flower brooch c. 2005
Set in 18 K yellow gold with a large square cut citrine (approx. 40 carats TW) and a smaller square cut citrine (approx. 4 carats TW), 2 oval orange citrines, 2 oval yellow citrines, 2 oval sapphires and cognac diamonds
Charlton & Co. (attr.) American Art Deco “Dendrite Agate” jewel cufflinks in an overall hexagonal form further set with caliber cut onyx in platinum topped 18k yellow gold, c. 1920’s
Bulgari, Rome, “Pocket Tape Measure” lighter, 18k gold with a concentric ring detail on both the top and the underside, signed: BVLGARI, BB back to back in a hexagon maker’s mark, 750 (in a rectangle), Swiss made, G. 137, original signed blue leather box with a tan suede interior, c. 1970’s
Van Cleef & Arpels, New York gem set floral perfume bottle in 14k rose gold set with 5 round cut natural rubies (approx. 1 carat TW) and one round cut diamond, signed: Van Cleef & Arpels, NY, 2669, 14k, c.1938 (left) &Cartier Art Deco “Candle or Flame” portable perfume bottle in 14k gold, signed: Cartier (script signature), 14k, c.1930’s (right)
Edwardian Era elaborate pendant necklace with a large fancy round-cut natural gem Madeira citrine (approx. 30 carats TW dimensions 20mm x 20mm x 16mm, GIA certificate) in a fine milligrain platinum mount with stylized leaves and flower blossoms and a bow all set with 83 old European round-cut diamonds (approx. 4.65 carats TW) suspended from the matching and period platinum chain, c.1900
Giacinto Melillo (attr.) Etruscan / Egyptian Revival bracelet, finely woven three strand 18K gold braclelet set with very delicate floral rosettes throughout with fine wire work and gold granulation and further set with 5 round cabochons of gem quality lapis lazuli, c.1875
Wolfgang Gessl Unique sterling silver Arc pitcher with acrylic handle 1990
WOLFGANG GESSL (b. 1949) Austria
Arc pitcher – unique 1990
Hand wrought silver in a rounded arching form with a cylindrical luminous yellow-green acrylic handle
Marks: Wolfgang Gessl (script impressed signature), WO.GE (in a rectangle), Swedish assay mark for Stockholm, 925 (silver guarantee in a rectangle), Q10 (in a rectangle)
Illustrated: Gold and Silversmith Wolfgang Gessl: Exceeding Geometry, Kerstin Wickman, p. 17, cover.
H: 13 1/2″ x W: 10 ¼” x D: 4 ½”
Price: $27,500
Wolfgang Gessl was born in 1949 in Vienna, Austria and trained as a goldsmith with Professor Hans Angerbauer. Upon moving to Sweden, Gessl studied under the eminent silversmith Sigurd Persson at Konstfack, the National University of Art, Craft and Design in Stockholm, Sweden.
Wolfgang Gessl has had fifteen solo exhibitions including shows at The National Museum, Stockholm and The Royal College of Art in London. His metalwork has been widely exhibited in Sweden, Europe and the U.S and his pieces can be found in many private collections throughout the world. He has taught at Konstfack for more than twenty-four years, and continues to live and work in Stockholm.
Archibald Knox / Liberty & Co. Tri-footed pewter vase with blue enamel c. 1902-05
ARCHIBALD KNOX (1864-1933) UK
LIBERTY & CO. London
Tri-footed vase c.1902-05
Pewter with blue enamel
Marks: Liberty & Co., ENGLISH PEWTER, 0927
Model illustrated: Liberty’s 1875-1975, An Exhibition to mark the Firm’s Centenary (London: Victoria & Albert Museum, 1975) p. 76; The Liberty Style, introduction by Victor Arwas (NY: Rizzoli, 1979) cat. no. 36
Archibald Knox / Liberty & Co. Cake tray with handle c. 1902-05
ARCHIBALD KNOX (1864-1933) UK
LIBERTY & CO. London
Cake tray with handle c. 1902-05
Hammered pewter with stylized leaf and berry motif in relief
Marks: MADE IN ENGLAND, “TUDRIC” RD449032 PEWTER, 0357 SOLKETS (retailer)
For more information see: The Designs of Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co., A.J. Tilbrook (London: Ornament Press Ltd., 1976); The Designs of Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co., A.J. Tilbrook (London: Ornament Press, 1976); Archibald Knox, ed. by S. Martin (London: Academy Editions,1995); Liberty’s 1875-1975, An Exhibition to mark the Firm’s Centenary (London: Victoria & Albert Museum, 1975).
Flavio Poli for Seguso Large Murano Glass Bottle with Stopper c.1950’s
FLAVIO POLI (1900-1984) Italy
SEGUSO VETRI D’ARTE Italy
Bottle with stopper c. 1950’s
Spectacular large decanter or bottle with stopper with a golden cognac cased glass interior tear drop form suspended in a solid clear glass body by FLAVIO POLI (1900-1984) Italy for SEGUSO VETRI D’ARTE Italy
Whiting / Late 19th Century Sterling dish with pomegranate motif c. 1890
WHITING MANUFACTURING CO. No. Attleboro, MA
Footed dish with pomegranate motif c. 1890
Sterling silver with a hand hammered honey comb surface, applied pomegranate and pomegranate blossom motif
Marks: Whiting logo (lion with W in oval (manufacturer’s insignia)), STERLING, 757, C
L: 5″ x D: 4″
In 1840 Albert Tifft and William Whiting started their business in No. Attleboro MA as a jewelry manufacturing company and then in 1866 created the Whiting Mfg. Co. and expanded production into small hollowware as well. The Gorham Company bought Whiting in 1926 and all operations were then moved to Providence, R.I.
Orfevrerie Christofle / French Art Nouveau Petite vase with wheat decor c. 1900
ORFÈVRERIE CHRISTOFLE Paris, France
Petite vase c. 1900
Patinated copper with applied gold work at the rim of the vase and the wheat and grass motif
Marks: Christofle touchmark, CHRISTOFLE
For more information on Christofle see: La Dinanderie Française 1900-1950, Dominique and Marie-Cécile Forest (Paris: Les Editions de l’Amateur, 1995), pp. 152-8.
Thomas F. Barrow, Register Synthesis, Gelatin silver print photogram with applied spray paint, 1978
THOMAS F. BARROW (b. 1938) Kansas City, MO
Register Synthesis Photogram 1978
Gelatin silver print photogram with applied spray paint
Signed: Register Synthesis – 1978 – Thomas F. Barrow (in ink on back)
Exhibited: J.J. Brookings & Co. (San Jose, CA): Thomas F. Barrow: Inventories and Transformations, A Twenty Year Retrospective, Nov. 6 – Dec. 16, 1986. This exhibit occurred simultaneously with the following two museum shows: the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (Nov. 6, 1986 – Jan 11, 1987) and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Feb. 26 – May 10, 1987).
Related photograph illustrated: Aperture: The New Vision: Forty Years of Photography, no. 87 (New York: Aperture Foundation, Inc., 1987), cover image.
Framed size: H: 19 5/8” x W: 23 7/16”
Thomas Barrow, American was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He studied at the Art Institute of Design in Chicago, Illinois and received his M.A. in 1967. At the George Eastman House, Barrow was the Assistant Director from 1971 to 1972 and served as the Associate Director of the University of New Mexico Art Museum from 1973 to 1976. Barrow started teaching photography in 1976 in the Art Department of the University of New Mexico and by 1985 he became the Acting Director of the University Art Museum. His Midwestern academic pedigree includes studying with Aaron Siskind at the Art Institute of Design in Chicago and with filmmaker Jack Ellis at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Barrow has received two NEA Photographers Fellowships in 1973 and 1978.
Barrow has produced a series of silver-gelatin photograms and then applied spray paint to the prints. These combine the feeling of a split-toned black and white print and at the same time appear as color-print photograms. He has produced a series of photograms entitled Disjunctive Forms. His images appear as surreal assemblages of various found and created objects superimposed with stencil text. Barrow works in the “academic” tradition—his pictures are deliberately and consistently experimental, highly intellectualized, scholarly in their concerns, and chock-full of references to the work of other artists.
Thomas F. Barrow, Ready Made, Gelatin silver print photogram with applied spray paint, 1978
THOMAS F. BARROW (b. 1938) Kansas City, MO
Ready Made Photogram 1978
Gelatin silver print photogram with applied spray paint
Signed: Ready Made – 1978 – Thomas F. Barrow (in ink on back)
Exhibited: J.J. Brookings & Co. (San Jose, CA): Thomas F. Barrow: Inventories and Transformations, A Twenty Year Retrospective, Nov. 6 – Dec. 16, 1986. This exhibit occurred simultaneously with the following two museum shows: the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (Nov. 6 – Jan 11, 1987) and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Feb. 26 – May 10, 1987).
Related photograph illustrated: Aperture: The New Vision: Forty Years of Photography, no. 87 (New York: Aperture Foundation, Inc., 1987), cover image.
Ohlsson & Rice Rare Streamline American Art Deco Tether Race Car Model No. 88 with Trailer c. 1950
OHLSSON & RICE (founded 1941) Los Angeles, CA
Tether Race Red car Model No. 88
Gas powered tether car racer 1950
Steel and various metals with the car and trailer details painted red, rubber tires and cork details
The license plate reads: California, 19-50, 61U421
H: 5″ x L” 13 1/2″ x D: 7 1/2″
Price: $3,000
In 1941 Irv Ohlsson teamed up with Harry Rice, and the firm of Ohlsson & Rice was founded producing model race cars and propellers. No other engines at the time combined the reliability, ease of maintenance, simplicity of operation and unlimited life of the Ohlsson & Rice engines. The Second World War put a temporary hold on their success, however, as all manufacturing facilities were turned over to military production. By the time the war shut down their production, they had produced about 75,000 engines.
As soon as the war was over, Ohlsson & Rice got back into production. Even with a shortage of needed materials and machines somewhat worn out by 3-shift a day wartime production use, they jumped back into a market that had a seemingly endless demand for their products. Modelers were hungry to get back into flying, and O & R took advantage of the market by buying the machinery needed to meet the huge demand.
Ohllson & Rice die cast tether cars were first manufactured in 1946. The early model cars had solid rear brake drums. open air front grill, 10 air vent slots in the seat, windshield, manual fuel pump, external hand brake lever, 4 nerf bars or radius rods, and plated front axle. The cars were fitted with a .23 or .29 Ohlsson and Rice engine. The easiest way to tell their plane engines from the car engines was the exhaust port. The cars have a straight cut exhaust and the planes had an angled cut port. However they are interchangeable except to be estetically correct. Basic colors included white, black, red , blue and yellow. The .29 engine were available in either spark ignition models or with a glow plug. In the early days Ohlsson and Rice had trouble with their engines and discovered a lot of the problems were due to inferior fuel sources. To rectify this they started to manufacture their own Nitro Glow fuel. This seemed to cure their engine problems. The later models in the fifties went to a closed front grill , 1 air vent slot in seat, hollow brake drums, no windshield and a smaller .049 engine. The last of the midget racers were made in 1959.
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