Catalog (172)

Fabulous handpainted sheet iron feather tree stand. The Christmas tree stand features three elves contemplating their traditional lucky mushrooms. The elves, one each in blue, red and yellow hooded suits, are seated on little grassy knolls planted with flowers. The painted details are terrific; each elf has completly different facial features than his friends. The center pole is painted green with metallic silver highlights.

Origin: probably Germany, circa 1910. Condition: completely original; 2 screws missing (easily replaced); paint is 95% intact and is very colorful. Size: 15-3/4" diameter; 9-1/4" high; opening for tree is 1-1/4" diameter.

An extremely rare early German wooden double-ratchet noisemaker featuring a composition and wood witch with moveable arms. Ratchets with full-body figures are very uncommon. The witch wears a red crepe paper ruffle and a pinkish paper skirt. The ratchet is stamped "Germany."

• Origin: Germany, ca 1920
• Condition: excellent, all original
• Dimensions: 9-1/2" x 5-1/2"

Very rare early German double-ratchet noisemaker featuring a composition devil head wearing a crepe paper ruffle. The ratchet is stained orange and black and is stamped "Germany."

• Origin: Germany, ca 1920
• Condition:very good, all original, a few nicks to the composition at high points (ear and horn tips, nose, cheeks)
• Dimensions: 7" x 4-1/4"

Great Art Deco figural cocktail shaker in the form of a milk can. The shaker is entirely hand made from soldered sheet copper. A similar shaker in silverplate is pictured in Visakay, but this is the only copper version we've seen. The cork-stoppered lid removes to reveal a removable metal strainer. The bottom is stamped "H.E. Wright Company/Boston, Mass.".

Origin: America, circa 1930. Condition: excellent, no dings or leaks. Size: 11-3/4" tall.

An outstanding early German wooden double-ratchet noisemaker featuring a composition black cat head wearing a crepe paper ruffle. The clacker blades are stained black. The ratchet is stamped "Germany."

• Origin: Germany, ca 1920
• Condition: excellent, all original, clacker blades appear to have been re-glued to the frame, typical fading to crepe paper
• Dimensions: 8" x 6"

Very nice lithographed tin penny toy in the form of a convertible sedan being driven by a chauffeur. The toy is completely original and is marked "Made In Germany". Circa 1930. Excellent condition, very light surface wear. 5" long.

Very rare Art Deco chrome figural cocktail shaker in the form of a fire extinguisher. PLEASE NOTE: This is not the usual version. This is the rare form with a flat bottom (no music box), no writing on the sides, and an extra handle opposite the pour spout.

Origin: America, circa 1930's. Condition: near mint. Size: 10-1/2" tall.

Terrific composition Mama Rabbit candy container. Dressed in a blue dress with orange polka dots, Mama carries a wicker basket with a pressed cotton chick in it. Unmarked, but definitely German, circa 1930. Condition: very good, there is a bit of paint flaking on the front of the dress; the wicker basket has a good bit of cracking; the face is especially nice. Size: 6-3/4" tall.

Set of 6 Art Deco chrome and glass cocktail glasses in the rare “Blue Moon” pattern by the Chase Brass & Copper Co. The combination of the dark cobalt glass over the stepped bell-shaped chrome bases is a superb design. There are shown in Visakay’s book along with the “Blue Moon” cocktail shaker. The bottoms are marked with Chase’s logo.

Origin: America, 1935-41. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 3-1/2” tall.

Wonderful vintage liquor bottle in the form of “Pere Noel” or Santa Claus. Dressed in a long, Belsnickle-type robe, he carries a huge pack of toys on his back, a doll in one hand and a walking stick in the other. The original paper label around the base says, “Benoit Serres Distilleries Toulouse France Depuis 1841”. The label at the neck, just below the bakelite top, indicates that the original contents was triple sec. The paint is original and shows about 20% loss.

Origin: France, ca. 1930. Condition: very good, no chips or cracks. Size: 12-1/4” tall.

A terrific and very rare lithographed tin chocolate box, the lid decorated with "The Wheel of Fund and Frolic" Halloween game. The spinner points to various party tasks such as "Push a pickle across the floor with your nose" or "Sing a mammy song in black-face". Some of the tasks, like "Turn out the lights and have each girl kiss the boy nearest her" sound like a little more fun! The side of the tin is marked "Mrs. Sothern Home Made Sweets". Ca. 1930. Good condition, but with scratches and some wear to the playing surface. The spinner is replaced with a later plastic pointer. 10-1/4" diameter.

Cold-painted Viennese bronze sculpture of a devil. This half-goat half-man figure is very well detailed, even showing the individual vertebrae along his back and the curls of his hair.

• Origin: Austria, ca 1900
• Condition: near mint; tiny surface rubs at sharp points such as the fingertips

Dimensions: 2-1/4" tall.

Very fine Japanese lacquer cocktail shaker and matching glasses handpainted with a scene of a teahouse at the edge of a lake amidst a bamboo grove with mountains in the background. The interiors are decorated in a stunning and unusual metallic copper finish.

Origin: Japan, circa 1930. Condition: virtually mint. Size: shaker, 11"; glasses 4-7/8".

Outstanding antique German snowman Christmas candy container. We've had many vintage Christmas candy containers, but never this design. The entire papier-mache container is covered with red and white chenille. The snowman straddles the container, making a sort of basket handle. His black eyes are glass and his nose is composition. The inside of the basket is marked "Germany."

• Origin: Germany ca. 1930
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: diameter, 4-1/2"; height, 5-1/2"

Old Aunt Jemima recipe box in original condition. The inside bottom is marked "Fosta Product/Made In U.S.A." Very nice condition, the back of the lid has some scratching. 5.25" x 3.75" x 3.75".

Rare tin cookie cutter in the form of a Christmas Belsnickle (AKA Father Christmas, Santa Claus). The cutter is stamped "555" on the back between the airholes.

Origin: American, circa 1890s. Condition: excellent, a small bit of rust. Size: 9-5/8" x 3-1/2".

Vintage American pulp Halloween jack o'lantern with the original paper face insert. Near mint condition. 5-1/2" tall (not including handle).

A delightful vintage Halloween bisque figure in the form of a broom-carrying witch and her black cat. Items such as this were used as table decorations, but it’s also possible that they were filled with small candies through the hole in the bottom, then sealed with paper and given as party favors. The witch, with her pasty complexion, gaping mouth, and crossed eyes really looks more like a space alien than a traditional witch. Only her broom and black cat betray her true nature!

• Origin: Japan, ca. 1930
• Condition: excellent, less than 5% paint loss
• Dimensions: 4” tall