Recently Sold Items

Fragment of Carved Rail

English, c.1530

Short section of a rail, pierced and carved with running motif of artichokes. Possibly from a bed rail -- artichokes were aphrodisiacs! In 1576, Dr. Bartolomeo Boldo wrote, “It has the virtue of . . . Provoking Venus for both men and women; for women making them more desirable, and helping the men who are in these matters rather tardy.” We know that Henry VIII grew them. Waxed English surface with dark honey color, perfect for wherever you want to hang it!

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yf151

Pair of Cockle Plates

England., late 18th c.

Small plates like this were used to serve cockles (small shellfish) in the pubs along the Thames. You can use them for whatever -- if you're Irish you might like to follow Molly Malone and use them for "cockles and mussels" together. Dark, unpolished finish. Rose and Crown and London touchmarks on base.

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yg18

Candle Snuffers

English, c 1725

Well-formed snuffers in very good condition with a touch of rococo in the handles.

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rc432

Medieval Candleholder

English, 15th/16th c.

They say small is beautiful, right? This fits the bill at only 3" long. It takes a small candle -- less than 1/2" diam., which can't have given much light but does indicate how very expensive candles were at this early date. From a major English collection, excavated from the Thames foreshore in 1972 and privately held since then.

SOLD

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xb161