A very rare Chinese carved amber libation cup, 17th century, carved in high relief with dragons and stylized clouds, 5.6cm high x 10cm wide.
about Lot 732
A good set of thirty two antique glass marbles, each approx 20mm diameter, on mahogany solitaire board, 30cm diameter, together with another large marble, approx 42mm diameter.
about Lot 1510
GIFT FROM CHARLES DICKENS TO 'Little Lucifer Box': a Victorian figured walnut and gilt brass combined writing slope and stationary casket, the hinged upper section retaining original key, with central plaque engraved 'Happy Birthday Little Lucifer Box 20 Oct 1859', lid of lower section with circular plaque engraved 'Catherine Elizabeth Dickens', the whole approx 36 x 26cm, some damages and loss to lining, two similar (non-matching) glass inkwells present.
about Lot 62
A good early 19th century oak, pollard oak, holly, ebonized and cocus wood centre table, attributed to George Bullock, freestanding, with cedar lined frieze drawer, 64cm wide x 48.5cm deep.
about Lot 1718
A good and large pair of Chinese famille verte jars and covers, 19th century, painted with fish, 35.5cm high, (repair to one cover).
about Lot 1778
ANNOTATED BY PETER COLLINSON, FRS (1694-1768): MARTIN (Martin): 'A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland. Containing a full account of their situation, extent, soils, product, harbours, bays, tides, anchoring places, and fisheries...': London, printed for Andrew Bell, 1703: FIRST EDITION. Large folding map of the Hebrides (neatly repaired) and folding plate of heathen temple: this copy extensively annotated by naturalist and antiquary Peter Collinson (1694-1768) over some 90 pages, with 5 pages of manuscript index and additional notes at end. He relates, for instance, the experience of General Wade, who saw an eagle kill a deer by picking out its eyes and then hovering until the deer stumbled over a precipice. He also includes information given him by Dr Walker, who visited the islands in 1765, and who conveyed to Collinson his scepticism of the reputed second sight of some islanders as well as reporting that there were 'neither wild horses or buffaloes in Scotland as Mr Buffons asserts in his nat:hist: taken from ignorant writers': title leaf cropped at upper margin, some toning and scattered spotting, occasional light waterstains but a very good copy, later full calf gilt by Kerr & Richardson of Glasgow, teg, 8vo. (1)
about Lot 51
CHARLES DICKENS POCKET WATCH, gifted from Bentleys Miscellany: a William IV gilt metal open faced key wind pocket watch, the fusee movement signed 'William Tyas London, No. 12067, 45mm diameter engine turned dial, the case engraved to reverse 'Dearest Boz editor Bentleys Miscellany Dec.1836', the initials CD to left and right of centre.
about Lot 63
A large and impressive Napoleon III bronze, ormolu and slate figural mantel clock, the 4in circular enamel dial inscribed 'Hry Marc, a Paris', 73cm wide, with pendulum.
about Lot 1747
UNRECORDED: RELIEF OF THE POOR IN JACOBEAN LONDON: 'Great Cryes, turned into Great Joyes; with Bountifull Helpes, and Good Hopes, to increase the same, that is; the Cryes of the Poore in the Cittie of London, and elsewhere, turned into Great Joyes..', London, printed by John Dawson for John Bellamie, and are to be sold at his shop at the Three Golden Lyons in Cornehill, neere The Royall Exchange, 1624: 80pp, rubricated borders, stab-sewn, some waterstaining round lower edges, initial leaf a bit chipped and creased, a few wormholes and tracks to initial quires but without any loss of sense, external pages dustsoiled but a good crisp copy overall, small 8vo. A rare late Jacobean tract on the relief of the London poor: we have been unable to trace any copy of this book in auction or library databases. (1)
about Lot 541
An Audemars Piguet 18ct gold automatic calendar wristwatch with power reserve, case No.C77800, 36mm, on a replacement leather strap with signed 18ct gold buckle.
about Lot 13