Peter Ompir (1904-1979), who painted this lovely, long tin tray, is considered one of America's foremost folk artists. He began his career during the 1930's painting portraits but was unable to make any money at it. He then began painting household items and sold them through an agent who persuaded Neiman-Marcus, Macy's and other prominent stores to carry his works, where they sold extremely well. He painted both used and new objects of wood, metal and even furniture, always managing to create a charming antique look with his use of colors and designs. This tray is an outstanding example of his work.

This basket is a nice size: 8 ¼’ round and 9 inches tall to the top of the handle. It was handwoven over 8 ribs with varying widths of narrow splint, the average being ¼ inch wide.

This tastevin or wine tasting cup was made by the famous Paris silversmiths Cailar, Bayard & Cie, which was founded by Noel Cailar and Pierre Bayard in 1848. In 1934 the firm went into liquidation and was absorbed by the premier French firm Christofle. Christofle liked this design for a tastevin very much and continued to produce it through the 1930’s. The marks, which are on the thumb rest, are very tiny. The mark on the left is CAILAR BAYARD and the mark on the right is METAL ARGENTE which is French for silver plate.

William Savage worked in Middletown, Connecticut during the years 1837 to 1840, when he made this handsome pewter teapot. He is well-known for his finely made wares of excellent quality pewter. The New-York Historical Society Museum has an identical Savage teapot in their collection. To view it, paste this in your browser: https://emuseum.nyhistory.org/objects/37494/teapot. The teapot we were offering appears to be in better condition.

This superb antique sandstone pottery bottle has an exceedingly rare handwritten paper label. The bottle originally held Calvados, the apple brandy made in Normandy, a region in northwestern France. It belonged to the cellar of the Count of Château de la Rivière-Pré-d'Auge. François Charles de la Rivière Pré-d'Auge built the chateau in the 1770's to honor his title, which had just been conferred on him by King Louis XV in 1766. The chateau was seized during the French Revolution and the Count was guillotined in Paris in 1799. We have included a current photo of the restored chateau (très magnifique, non?).