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Ironstone Melon-Shaped Biscuit Jar with Embossed Tin Rose Lid

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 06:50:31 -0700

Wonderful lobed ironstone biscuit jar, its melon form decorated on two sides with brown transferware floral sprays of daisies and petite wild flowers. The single-color transfer pattern inspires a colorful overlay of imaginative thought, while taste buds long for a sampling of the treats kept safe within.

A scalloped cap-like ridge encircles the crown of the semi-porcelain jar, which is topped by a most unusual embossed tin lid -- a perfect fit in all respects. At the center of the lid is a single rose, in high relief and full bloom, while hovering overhead are two rose buds showing promise of what's to come.

Undeniably rich in age, I wish this jar could give hint of its full history, but alas there are no marks to be found. Measures approx. 6-1/2" high and 6" in diameter. Jar is in excellent condition, with no nicks, chips, or cracks, and a fine, overall crazing commensurate with age; two creases on the outer edge of the lid.

Large 1880s Scalloped Burroughs and Mountford Goldenrod Bowl

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:50:25 -0700

Antique bowl, in warm, earthy tones, created by Burroughs & Mountford of Trenton, New Jersey (1879 to 1882). The colors are a fabulous mix of brown, pale yellow, rose/pink, with a bit of sponged gold along the inner edges of the scalloped edges. Measuring approx. 9-1/2" in diameter and 2-1/2" high, this lovely bowl is in fabulous condition. Double-marked "B&M China" and "B&M Co." Light and fine overall crazing that only adds to the rich, mature beauty of this piece.

Antique Monroe Wave Crest Cruet with Gilt Metal Handle - Rare

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 21:29:19 -0700

A lovely and rare Wave Crest cruet in a light green custard glass, with a gilt metal handle styled in the form of a twig. The flat bulbous cruet base is hand-painted with flowers, although much of the paint has worn over time. Sweet nonetheless, you could clean it down to its pure, original, unpainted form, should that be your desire.

Standing 6" high with the stopper in place, at its widest point, the cruet base is 4" in diameter. The glass is in excellent condition, with no nicks, chips, or cracks. This hard-to-find piece is unsigned but identified in Wilfred R. Cohen's book, Wave Crest - The Glass of CF Monroe, at page 140 as "Extremely rare cruet" with a value on an undecorated cruet at $650-$750.

Staffordshire Watch Holder Figure: Shepherd Couple with Spaniel

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:52:40 -0700

Staffordshire watch holder figure of a young shepherd couple gathered for a group sitting around a trellis flourishing with ripe grapes on the vine. Standing to one side is a shepherd lad, with what appears to be an oboe or other long, reeded instrument in hand. Sitting opposite him is a shepherdess holding a young white lamb, while in front and between the two is a spotted spaniel to complete the gathering.

Watch holder stands 12" high, with a width of approx. 7". Circa 1860-80.

The back of the watch holder is missing, and there is some minor flaking to the hand-painted decoration, with glaze nicks to the top edges. Finally, there is a small chip to the front of his hat and a well-disguised chip on the front base (that blends in with naturally rough look of the "ground" on which they stand). All in all, still a fabulous piece!

Grape Copper Lustre Chelsea Derby Handleless Teabowl Cup/Saucer

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:48:12 -0700

A fine handleless cup / tea bowl and saucer in the Chelsea Grape pattern. The 12-sided footed cup and saucer is, I believe, soft paste with a raised luster grape decoration, done in a copper-over-mulberry/purple glaze.

The cup or bowl is 2-7/8" tall, with a rim diameter of 3-7/8", while the deep saucer is 5-7/8" in diameter. Two small glaze pops or flakes are found on the saucer rim, with extremely fine crazing on both pieces. No chips or cracks in either piece.

According to Kovels, "Some pieces made from 1770 to 1784 are called Chelsea Derby and may include the letter D for Derby in the mark." As for this set, the cup is unmarked, but the saucer does have a pressed "blind" mark of "NS" over "D", with the latter presumably being the old Derby designation.

Simple in appearance, yet an absolutely wonderful example of late 18th Century Staffordshire teaware.

English Oval-Shaped Jackfield Jet Ware Pottery Syrup Pitcher

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:47:04 -0700

A lovely red clay earthenware syrup pitcher wrapped in a Jackfield-style glossy black glaze and trimmed with lacy gold enamel work at and around the rim and shoulders.

I typically find this pottery classified as "Jackfield," however, have also seen the terms Jet Ware, Victorian jetware, or blackware used for these reddish clay vessels that are wrapped in a glossy black lead glaze.

Standing 6-1/4" high at the spout rim and 7" long, spout to handle, this pitcher is oval in shape, with a pewter swivel lid topped off with a white petite finial. The size as well as the shape make this perfect for use as a milk pitcher, although I believe syrup to be its original intended use.

Underside of lid is incised or marked with the name Martin Hanley, Prov, No. 23438/99, while the underside of the pitcher is hand-painted with the marks 629 and P111.

In excellent condition, with no nicks, chips, or repairs, and slight loss to the gold trim at the rim, with a bit more gilt loss on the handle from use and wear.

A lovely piece!

c1910 Pair of Staffordshire Earthenware Fruit Seller Figurines

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:27:18 -0700

Offering a lovely pair of Staffordshire figurines depicting a couple of fruit sellers, both in period attire of matching colors. The man carries a box of fruit on his hip, under his left arm, with an apple or other enticing produce in his right hand. The woman wears a flower-decorated skirt with a chocolate-colored blouse, while her apron is overflowing with fruit.

These figures can be seen on page 296 of Godden's British Pottery (1975) in a retailer's catalog showing 'Reproduction Staffordshire Figures' of the 1910 to 1920 period, with this couple listed as Fruit Sellers.

Each figurine is in excellent condition, with no nicks, chips, or cracks noted, and only a faint scratch in the paint on the back of the woman's blouse. Measure 4-3/4" high. Both have a partial Old Staffordshire Ware England mark.

c 1870 English Earthenware Syrup Pitcher Jug with Pewter Lid

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:26:12 -0700

A wonderful large English earthenware syrup pitcher or jug, likely from the Staffordshire region, with an unusual decorative mix. Around the body of the jug is a raised rope design forming four 6-sided polygon frames, three of which have brown transferware images of what I speculate are English warriors, each image having a golden luster finish. (The fourth panel is where the handle joins the jug body.) At the rim of the pitcher, both inside and out, is a lovely brown lattice and turquoise scroll design, with maroon flowers at each station.

Dating to circa 1870, this lidded jug is unsigned. In wonderful condition with no nicks or chips, and what looks to be a short, tight hairline below the right corner of the lid hinge, not something I can feel or catch with a fingernail. Stands approx. 8" high at the rim and measures 5-3/4" from the spout to the handle back.

Antique Little Tot Coffee Grinder - Child Toy / Salesman Sample

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:23:59 -0700

I love just antique miniatures!� Crafted in a time when quality and workmanship went into the sampler size as well as the everyday usable versions, this antique Little Tot coffee grinder has a working cast iron grinding mechanism and drawer front, with a label that, on a good day, read Little Tot.� (From what I can gather searching around, the original labels were always a challenge to read, with a black background and yellow or gold lettering.)

I'm not clear on whether these were doll or toy size for a young child's play or whether they were more a promotional salesman sampler item (I speculate the latter), but they're charming either way.� The wood base stands approx. 1-3/4" high and 2-1/2" wide, 2-3/8" deep.� The cast iron grinder top is 3-3/4" high to the handle top. �

As you can see, this antique is being true to its age, showing a split in the wooden top and wear at the corners, but it's got all its charm fully intact.� Sweet.

Antique Limoges Rococo Plates with Roses - Demartine Cie - 2 Pr

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:23:37 -0700

Offering a spectacular pair of Limoges porcelain cabinet plates from G. Demartine & Cie, circa 1900. Delicate roses in yellow and pink serve as music to the eyes as they dance edge to edge within a most unusual scalloped rim. The deeply scalloped rococo rims are decorated with a sculpted leaf and scroll design, connected by vine-like tendrils that gracefully join in. A sponged gilt trim adds the finishing touch to a luscious soft peach border.

Measuring 8" to 8-7/8" in diameter, depending on the point of measurement, each plate is in excellent condition, showing only a hint of wear to the gold and even less to the center surface. I'm rather certain these have been as they should be - cabinet plates to savor in display.

Please note that I do have a total of four, with the plates offered and priced as a pair. Have a large mirror and find yourself needing two for each side? I am more than happy to combine shipping.

Bears the green underglaze G.D.&Cie mark (Mark #1 in Gaston's Encyclopedia of Limoges Porcelain), dating these to sometime after 1891 to the early 1900s.

Antique French Keller Guerin Luneville Purple Primrose Plate

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:23:07 -0700

It's time to bring on the flowers! Offering a lovely Keller & Guerin cabinet plate decorated with gorgeous purple and yellow primroses at various stages of bloom against a graduating green ground to light powdery green at the top and a dark solid green at the rim and bottom half.

Measuring 10" in diameter, this plate is in excellent condition, with no nicks, chips, or cracks, and showing only fine, overall crazing and moderate wear to the gilt rim.

Circa 1900, this plate is marked K&G Luneville France, the well-known French faience factory operated by Keller and Guerin.

Antique Victorian Mechanical Retractable Chatelaine Pencil

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 14:30:58 -0700

A�sweet antique mechanical chatelaine pencil with a telescoping / retractable lead-holding tip and a citrine colored end cap. The barrel of the pencil is decorated with bright cut scroll work and wavy ribbons on alternating panels. Measures 3-3/8" long (4-3/8" with the tip extended).

In good working condition, with a small tear in the gold casing at the nib and another small tear near the end. Unmarked as to gold content, but studying the barrel case at the small tear, the gold is thin and consistent in color (seeming to indicate the pencil barrel itself is not gold-plated), and the barrel end tests just slightly over 9K. The gold on the molded, citrine-colored end is gold plate, with some wear at a couple of high points.