Art Deco cocktail shaker in glass and silver, of continental origin and dating to the 1930s.

The shaker is formed with a clear glass body of gently tapering shape, rising from a circular foot and narrowing towards the neck. The proportions are balanced and typical of the period, where clean lines and practical use were central to design.

The mount is fitted with solid silver components including the collar, integrated strainer and detachable cap, each stamped .800 grade silver, consistent with continental European manufacture, most likely German.

The strainer is built into the upper section, allowing the shaker to be used directly without the need for additional components. The domed cap completes the form and sits securely above the strainer, maintaining the streamlined appearance associated with Art Deco barware.

Cocktail shakers of this type were produced during a period when cocktail culture became widely established across Europe. Designs combined glass and silver to balance durability with presentation, while maintaining a practical function for regular use.

A well balanced example of an Art Deco cocktail shaker with clear period character.

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Tortoiseshell tea caddy with mother of pearl inlay, of bow fronted rectangular form with a domed lid and flared plinth base, raised upon four tagua nut bun feet and dating to the Regency period.

The exterior is veneered in tortoiseshell with each panel framed by silver stringing, defining the structure of the caddy. The front and lid are decorated with a quilted style mother of pearl inlay, composed of repeating diamonds, circles and crosses, creating a consistent patterned surface across both panels.

The lid is surmounted by a shaped silver vacant initial plaque, matching the escutcheon to the front.

Opening the tea caddy reveals an interior faced in ivory, with a red velvet lined inner lid. The interior is fitted with twin tea caddy compartments, each with tortoiseshell lids and turned handles.

The tea caddy dates to the Regency period, circa 1820.

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Green tortoiseshell tea caddy dating to the Georgian period, circa 1790 during the reign of George III.

The exterior is finished in vibrant green tortoiseshell and mounted with silver stringing, a vacant silver initial plaque and matching silver escutcheon.

The interior is faced in boxwood and fitted with two tortoiseshell lids, each mounted with turned bone handles. When removed, the lids reveal twin tea storage compartments retaining visible traces of their original lining.

The tea caddy remains complete with a working lock and tasselled key and is a rare example of late eighteenth century tortoiseshell tea caddies.

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Vanity box in rosewood by Howell, James & Co, dating to 1837 during the late Georgian period and the reign of William IV.

The box is of rectangular form with brass edging and is veneered in rosewood. The lid features a vacant stylised initial plaque, twin circular brass escutcheons and flush mounted brass carrying handles.

The interior is lined in rich red velvet and fitted with a ruched inner lid concealing a secret rear compartment. Inside is a mirror, storage for envelopes and the retailer’s label for Howell, James & Co of Regent Street, London. The fitted interior retains ten cut glass jars with engine turned sterling silver lids, including three examples with pierced silver decoration. The silver is hallmarked London for Thomas Whitehouse and dated 1837. The jars surround a removable fitted tool pad containing mother of pearl handled vanity accessories including a nail file, button hook, pricker, two pairs of scissors, a corkscrew, tweezers and a waxer.Beneath the main tray is additional storage, while a lockable drawer to the front provides further space for jewellery and personal items.

The box is fitted with high quality Bramah locks and remains an excellent example of early nineteenth century vanity cases retailed by Howell, James & Co.

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Boulle stationery box by Leuchars & Sons, dating to the late nineteenth century during the Victorian period, circa 1880.

The box is of rectangular form with a domed lid and is extensively decorated with inlaid brass and red tortoiseshell boulle work across the exterior. The body is finished with delicate brass edging and a brass escutcheon inset to the front.

When opened, the interior reveals a royal blue lined fitted interior with several partitions designed for storing letters and smaller documents.

The underside of the box is signed Leuchars & Sons, 36 & 39 Piccadilly, London & 2 Rue de la Paix, Paris, reflecting the firm’s presence in both London and Paris during the late nineteenth century.

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Antique oak letter box with clock dial, dating to 1878.

The body is constructed from solid English oak with a cross gable roof and stepped plinth base. The front is fitted with a brass letter aperture with black painted “Letters” beneath, positioned below a circular silvered clock dial with black Roman numerals. The dial is flanked by the initials VR for Victoria Regina.

A glazed hinged door sits below, opening to reveal the interior, which retains its original hook for the clock key. The inside also bears a kitemark dating the piece to the second half of the nineteenth century. The clock movement has been professionally serviced.

Post letter boxes of this type were used in the lobbies of hotels, large country houses and clubs, allowing guests to deposit correspondence for collection. Letters would then be gathered by staff and forwarded for posting.

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Literature

Mark Goodger 25th Anniversary Catalogue page 51

Coromandel games compendium, or games box, made for King Edward VII by George Betjemann & Sons and retailed by Drew & Sons, Piccadilly, dating to circa 1905 during the Edwardian period.

The exterior is veneered in coromandel with reinforced rounded corners, nickel strapping across the body and flush mounted twin handles. The lid bears the royal cypher of King Edward VII, with the front fitted with a Bramah lock.

The interior is fully fitted and complete, lined in satinwood. The front section drops down to reveal twin cribbage boards with matching finger scorers. The main body is arranged with pivoting tiers housing a full set of red stained and white chess pieces, a matching draughts set, dice and cribbage counters.

Additional compartments within the lower tiers contain further games including playing cards, bezique counters, gaming counters, dominoes, dice shakers, steeplechase horses and an original roulette wheel. The inside of the lid is fitted with a games board veneered in coromandel, ivory and tulipwood for chess, draughts and backgammon, with a leather steeplechase board to the reverse.

The interior is signed by Drew & Sons, Piccadilly, and stamped for George Betjemann & Sons.

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Rosewood sewing box of slight sarcophagus form, dating to the latter part of the Georgian period, circa 1830, during the reign of William IV. The box stands on four turned ribbed feet and rises to a convex lid.

The exterior is decorated with scrolling floral brass inlay to each side, framed by a border of engine turned decoration. A brass inlaid shield shaped escutcheon completes the exterior.

The interior is lined in dark purple velvet with a ruched white silk panel to the inside of the lid, behind which is additional storage for papers or sewing materials. The upper tray is fitted with carved mother of pearl sewing accoutrements and can be lifted out to access further storage beneath.

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Miniature tortoiseshell tea caddy, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820. The caddy with a tortoiseshell exterior is decorated to the front with a pressed starburst design centred by a silver initials plaque engraved FW, beneath a square silver escutcheon.

The domed lid is edged with silver quarter stringing and surmounted by a silver ball finial. The caddy stands on four silver bun feet, elevating it from the base.

The interior retains its original pink velvet lined lid with a turned bone handle and tortoiseshell lid. Traces of the original silver foil lining remain visible within the tea compartment.

This example is notable for its unusually small scale, making it a rare model within tortoiseshell tea caddies of the period.

The tea caddy is complete with a working lock and tasselled key.

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Mauchline Ware tea caddy by Smiths, dating to the late Georgian period during the reign of George IV, circa 1830. The caddy of rectangular form is constructed upon a sycamore carcass and extensively decorated across the exterior with a repeating pinstripe design.

The decoration is composed of alternating vertical panels featuring classical scrollwork, linked chain motifs, and fine pinstriped transfers in shades of gold, green and red, creating a continuous striped effect across the entire surface. A shield-shaped escutcheon completes the exterior.

The interior reveals a single tea compartment with traces of the original foil lining remaining. The lid retains the original full length wooden Cumnock hinge.

This example is a rare early piece of Mauchline Ware, notable for the type of decoration and the quality of its condition. The caddy is confidently attributed to the Scottish makers Smiths, based on close comparison with a previously recorded and signed example from our archive.

The tea caddy is complete with a working lock and tasselled key.

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