We hope you will join us!

Please feel free to contact us at 905.849.9600 or info@ahwilkens.com to set up an appointment to show us your items of interest. We are currently accepting consignments for this auction and future auctions.

We look forward to seeing you!
A.H. Wilkens

Marilyn spent thirty years culling antique markets, shows and auctions to put together one of the largest and finest collections of Japanese export porcelain. She was considered amongst the foremost specialists in the field and participated in nearly all of the Noritake Collector Society’s annual conventions and forums. Pieces in her collection were studied and used as a reference in countless published books and price guides.

Her core collection focuses on figural Art Deco Noritake, including dresser jars, powders, smoke sets, plates, lamps and condiment sets. Most notable in her collection is the Maiden Dresser Jar and The Girl In The Red Dress, both rare examples of European influenced Noritake porcelain.

Marilyn’s sudden passing was a shock to everyone in the community. The auctioning of her collection will be a celebration of her life an dedication to her collection. We are honoured to be a part of it.

More details of the auction and catalogue will be available shortly.

We already some noteworthy pieces which are illustrated in the highlights below or can be viewed in slideshow format on the right side of our website in the Live Auctions tab for the Fine & Decorative Arts Auction.  We are still seeking good quality pieces to be included in the auction. The auction is held live in our showroom as well as over www.liveauctioneers.com.  Full international advertising brings a diverse group of buyers to the auction.

Please contact one of our specialists to arrange a time to show us your items of interest. You can reach us either by phone at 416.360.7600 or email at info@ahwilkens.com

With the second wave of the Punch & Judy collection being sold in our March 6^th auction I thought I might take some time to write about the puppet show’s history. The puppet show began in Italy and was brought over to England in the late 17^th century. The show’s primary characters were Punchinello or Punch as his name has now been Anglicized, his wife Judy and their baby. The plays were mostly comedy dramas with a large portion of satire and a smattering of domestic sentiment. While this is a quaint way of describing the plot, I like to be blunter and say that Punch beat their child with the “swazzle” a bat shaped stick. Judy would then squabble and nag Punch for killing their child, coming after him with the swazzle where he would turn it on her and eventually sadly kill her too. Other characters were included as the show grew over time, these include: the doctor, policeman, hangman, the clown, Toby and the Devil, who was replaced by the crocodile in the mid-19^th century. There was also a live dog whose function was to sit on the playboard in front of the red velvet curtains, with a ruff around his neck; he was there to bite Punch’s nose on the right cues. All the other characters in the storyline inevitably fall into Punch’s trickery.

Punch is characterized by his hunchback, hook nose and squawky voice. Punch and Judy was performed in outside areas to the public by a “Professor” and supported by a “Bottler” who would corral the audience outside the booth, collect money and narrate the storyline. The Professor was inside the booth and would operate the characters. It was initially performed in Covent Garden by an Italian puppet man, Signor Bologna and later performed in seaside towns, Bartholomew Fair in Smithfield, Charing Cross, Holborn and Southwark. It became extremely popular in Paris and even stretched across the Atlantic to the United States where it was reported that George Washington enjoyed the show.

Due to the violent themes in the puppet show it was initially intended for an adult audience but it soon got the attention of children and it became immensely popular. In 19^th century America the outrageously rude, cunning and criminal behaviours of Punch upset the moral standards of the nation forcing the creation of a positive ending. Punch and Judy shows have always had their critics but the characters still garner the same amount of attention as they did when it was introduced. The popularity of collecting Punch and Judy has waned over the years but its themes of satire, slapstick and dysfunctional families are common throughout television shows even today and that ultimately connects with buyers. It is interesting to think of television shows such as The Flintstones, The Simpsons and Family Guy as merely contemporary versions of the 17^th century puppet show.

The remainder of the collection includes a bank, books, porcelain signs, graphics, rag doll pattern and ephemera. Items are up for auction Tuesday, March 6^th at 11am. Preview times are Monday, March 5^th 12-7pm and Tuesday March 6^th 9-11am. For more information please visit our website www.ahwilkens.com.

By: Karen Salter

Please going us for our public preview this coming Monday, Janaury 9th between 12 and 7pm and Tuesday morning between 9 and 11. Our auction will begin at 11am.

We will be having an Antique Estate Auction Tuesday, January 10th @ 11am. Previews times are Monday, January 9th, 12pm-7pm and Tuesday, January 10th, 9am-11am.

Sterling Silver: George II cruet with glass bottles, Edwardian cased oil & vinegar set, tortoise shell inlay brush and mirror set, dresser bottles, German silver and cut glass claret jugs, Hawkes silver topped cut glass cocktail shaker, Russian silver salt, Georgian berry spoons, French silver counter box c. 1820, American caster, Victorian silver belt, continental silver and enamel snuff box, several boxes of assorted silver flatware, nut dishes and vanity sets. Silverplate: faux bamboo inkstand, Victorian epergne, hot water urn, trays, salvers, dessert set, entrée dishes, lots of tray lots and several cruet stands.

Decorative Accessories: Pairpoint table lamp, Arts & Crafts American reverse painted landscape table lamp, carved wood totems, Italian was doll, gilt brass candlesticks, selection of candle stands, caddy, ivory fan, collection of mache, enamel and porcelain snuff boxes, micro mosaic mirror, gilt painted icon, silverplated and ivory dish, inuit carvings, crested ivory brushes, Gorham brass vase, carpet balls, silouhettes, large collection photography including: Fenian Raids soldier, 19^th century Canadian Mounted Police and Native Canadians, numerous early 20^th century photo albums, postcards and early war photos, 19^th century photo of a sailing ship, signed letter from Edwina Mount Batten of Burma, PEI bank notes, 19^th century American and Canadian bank notes, early hand painted miniature, alabaster table lamp, collection of canes and walking sticks, art deco table lamps, Gaelic bible, gilt brass candelabra, good pair of French table lamps with hand painted porcelain inserts and more.

Pottery & Porcelain: a large collection of jasperware including Wedgwood and Adams vases, jugs, black basalt spittoon, large 19^th century bowl, trays, biscuit barrels, casters,  candlesticks, large number of E Canada pottery pieces including lamps, bowls, wall pockets, vases and more. Belleek, Doulton stoneware vases,  French faience bust, 18^th century English caddy, bisque, Hummels, Beswick cows, Doulton seriesware, Wedgwood Imari biscuit barrel, Naples figurines and tankard, Continental cups and saucers, large amount of Old Willow, Meissen, Staffordshire, large Etruria candlesticks, creamware and a large collection of Royal Doulton figurines and toby mugs including: Yum Yum, St. George, The Patchwork Quilt, Flower Sellers Children, Jack & Jill, Sweet Anne, Dickens collection and more.

Glass: pair of green opaque glass lusters, pair of enamel and hand painted lusters, collection of cranberry glass jugs, vases and caster, good cut glass vases, carnival glass, Handel vase, large amount of pressed glass: Iris, Barley, Cane, Ashman, Rayed Divided Heart, Diamond Medallion and more goblets, comports, jugs and spooners.

Jewellery: gold and gold plated pocket watches, gold and jade necklace, silver bracelet,  rhinestone and costume jewellery, loose gemstones, Louis Vuitton handbag and shoulder bags, Hermes scarves.

Asian Art: Blue and white porcelain vases, moon flask, export wares, famille rose, Chinese imari teapot, lacquer box and black lacquer stands, gilt wood Buddha, cloisonné vases, signed dish, jade, pewter teaset, carved wood fu dog, Satsuma, carved ivory, jewellery box, Chinese screen, robe and textiles.

Furniture: Pair of English (in the French manner) 19^th century inlay corner cabinets, German inlay buffet, Adams style carved wood framed settee, wrought and caste iron floor lamp, marble top boulle cabinet, Sheraton style side table, oak coat rack with twist stem, ebonized chinoserie gentleman’s chest, pair of French upholstered armchairs, set of four Hepplewhite-style dining chairs, two book cases, Georgian-style library cabinet,  good quality old leather office chairs, large library table and more.

Fine Art: Assorted oils, watercolours, prints, engravings, more to come.

Lots of Tray and Box lots.

We look forward to seeing you in the new year!

Highlights Include:

Our listing can be viewed in the lower right of our website under current auctions

Pottery & Porcelain: two pairs of Royal Doulton stoneware vases, Royal Doulton Age of Chivalry figures, Royal Doulton animal figurines, approximately 40 Royal Doulton figurines, Royal Worcester figures, Wedgwood jasperware including large jardinière, cheese dome, biscuit barrels, butter tubs, jugs, pair of lustre Royal Vienna handpainted vases, another fine pair of Royal Vienna covered urns on stands,  Moriage ewer, Royal Crown Derby vase and cover with applied gilding, Royal Copenhagen figures and Christmas plates, large Coalport Indian Tree dinnerservice including several serving pieces, Sevres  breakfast cup and saucer, Meissen cabinet plates, Russian porcelain, Royal Doulton Magnella charger and other seriesware, Sarreguemines Majolica charger, large continental porcelain ewer, large Delft shield form plaque, blue and white transferware, Rosenthal Winbladt vase, Hummels

Glass: Cranberry epergne, green opalescent epergne, Victorian cranberry pickle cruet and jam jar with enamel, red and enamel lustres, pair of cut glass lustres, Steuben plates, pair of enamel portrait boxes, bohemian beaker and tea glass, several lots of stemware, pressed glass, decanters, Murano glass table lamp

Silver: Canadian silver including Birks sterling flatware service, Black, Starr & Frost silver frame, pair of German swan form salts, castor, comports, Chester coaster, scent bottle, Yerba Mate continental straws, American coin silver spoons, vanity wares, Wedgwood jasperware jug with Elkington silver rim, set of goblets, Russian enamel pins and metals, glass and silver dessert cups Silverplate: large amount of silverplate including trays, cruet sets, salvers, entrees, Gorham silverplate bowl, Elkington plated basket

Decorative Accessories: assorted marble pedestals and plant stands, rosewood lap desk, Victorian mache painted bookform box, pair of gilt metal figures on alabaster stands, early brass belt, tole tea caddy, mirrored sconces, handpainted porcelain plaque, figural bronze inkwell, Cartier box, Art Nouveau mirror, assorted coldpainted cast iron horses, carved ivory chess set, Baxter print, Arts & Crafts textiles, large bronze nude, large cast garden sculpture, gentlemen’s top hat, Meccano set,  table and floor lamps, walking sticks and canes, decorative floral gilt souvenir, fetish doll, stained glass windows, good tortoise shell tea caddy, small bronze bust of Lord Kitchener, large Art Nouveau bust of a Grecian woman, alabaster column, brass candlesticks, champlevé centrepiece, carved ivory sculpture, music box, figural bronze inkwell, early 20th century Russian paper money

Furniture: Essex by Steinway baby grand piano, gilt vitrine, pair of ormolu mounted marble top commodes, Chinese armoire, pair of demi-lune fold over card tables, Victorian sofa, armchairs and ottoman, side chairs, pair of twin bed frames with caned footboards, dresser table with triple mirror and caned stool, tea trolley, brass bed frame, Art Deco chest of drawers, pair of red upholstered carver, Victorian chest of drawers with mirror, inlaid what-not stand

Asian: Chinese export porcelain including jug, famille rose including pair of covered urns, Japanese Satsuma and Imari, large Moriage umbrella stand, giant famille noir vase, pair of reclining porcelain lions, celadon, jade, carved netsukes, Imari covered bowls and saucers, Indian bronze and sword, Chinese lacquer screen, Japanese woodblock prints

Jewellery: large amount of costume jewellery including earrings, cufflinks, rhinestone, fashion watches, pocket watches, Thai silver jewellery, carved ivory, gold charm bracelet, jade necklace, Art Deco cut glass beads, Art Deco brooches, collections of fashion rings, Rolls Royce cufflinks, Hermes Kachinas scarf, Scottish brooch, gold and emerald ring, early paste jewellery, cameos, micro mosaics, Art Nouveau necklace, watch fob

Fine Art: Courier & Ives prints, Tom Le Poidevin oil, Clara Harris oil, 19th century European school oil, Rita Briansky etchings, Sellin oil, Canadian school winter scene, Winchell Price oil, E.D. Craig oil, collection of handpainted European interior scenes, architectural engravings, 18th century watercolour

Quantity of trays and box lots.