THE COLLECTIONS OF JANET & JACK THORNTON
Wednesday, 12 - Monday, 24 November 2025
Two small Japanese ivory netsuke - a spotted dog with pup climbing its haunches; an a seated dog.
Estimate: $100 - $200
Two small Japanese ivory netsuke - Hotei with treasure sack adrift in a boat (AF), and a frog riding on the back of a tortoise. Both signed.
Two Japanese netsuke and a snuff gourd - the ivory netsuke of two hounds; the coroza nut netsuke of a food sack, one rat inside another gnawing on the rope binding; the small spherical gourd with erotic engraving.
Estimate: $100 - $200
An ivory erotica carved as a groundnut shell, finely joined as two halves revealing a couple in coitus to the interior. H.65mm
A sectional ivory okimono of a swallow, (nerve hollowed out and one end unplugged); a sectional okimono of a man with tame bird (detail absent from pole in right hand); ivory kimono of a couple and a numeric stained tooth ivory netsuke.
A sectional bone inro, of four compartments, engraved with a boating party to one side and a hawk to the other. H.75mm
Three faux ivory erotica okimono, faux ivory figure of Shao Lao and a figure (probably ivory) of Kuanyin.
Two pair of folding C-spring pince nez, one gold plated in French wooden compact case, the other steel in optician named leather case, along with a pair of 'Pickwick' spectacles with telescoping arms
Two pairs of collapsible opera glasses, cased opera glasses, an opticians' horn framed set of trial lenses and a horn framed pocket magnifier,
Pince nez and early spectacles of various designs, lorgnettes and two pair of 1960s folding pocket sunglasses.
An uncommon unmarked silver posy holder, possibly French, conical with three applied classical busts, raised on three leaf spring activated folding legs.
Estimate: $200 - $300
A small French 19th century posy holder, gilded basket on a turned mother of pearl handle with finger ring chain and chained pin. H.90mm
Late 19thC silver plated posy or nosegay holder, the cone engraved with swags and hops, on a tapering handle with acanthus knops. H.155m
Estimate: $100 - $150
An Edwardian silver plated tussie-mussie of bouquet holder, the cone pierced and engraved with ivy leaves, on a tapering handle with conforming engraving. H.160mm
Estimate: $100 - $150
A late Victorian silver plated tussie-mussie, the cone pierced and engraved with stiff leaves, on a tapering handle with pennant frieze engraving. With finger-ring and pin on chains. H.135mm
Estimate: $100 - $150
A gilt brass bouquet holder, possibly French, the cone cast and pierced with acanthus and lilies, on a hexagonal tapering handle. H.155mm
Estimate: $100 - $150
A set of gentlemen's silver cufflinks, waistcoat buttons and collar studs, with octagonal mother of pearl faces; and a set of three silver and emerald enamel waistcoat buttons,
A silver plated visiting card purse, finger purse, two silo coin holders, a powder compact decorated with Guide Rangi, a lapel button hole corsage holder and a cigarette holder case.
French 1880s piqué tortoiseshell change purse; a bejewelled peacock mesh purse and a collection of seaside souvenir shell purses.
A NZ silver and agate belt buckle by Hosie & Bell*; a two piece sash belt buckle B'ham 1910; a pair of shoe buckles B'ham 1909; half an Art Nouveau buckle B'ham 1903; pair hat pin cockerel finials B'ham 1909.
Four silver plated two-pice sash belt buckles and a two-piece Chinese silver belt buckle with Qing Guangxu Tongbao coin design to the centre
nine vintage diamonté sash choker or scarf buckles on a card; three larger diamonté buckles and a German Art Deco paste brooch
Three two-piece enamel sash belt buckles, Edwardian period and later; along with three half buckles, an oval buckle and an enamel plaque.
Bakelite parasol handle (with hidden compartments), pair bone handled folding hair tongs (in original case); five hat pins (one silver enamel) church collection bag, and a bone inlaid parasol knob.
A large sterling silver Reynolds Angels button hook, B'ham 1906 (dents) along with a silver walking cane top and other scrap silver.
A large late Victorian sterling silver sash belt buckle with two prongs, the cast and pierced frame with figurative panels. London 1899 by Samuel Jacob. 95 x 70mm
Estimate: $80 - $160
Five silver plate and brass vesta cases (three advertising Kean's Naval Outfitters Wellington & Auckland) and a small pill box with lion's head relief decoration.
A good Victorian coromandel dressing case by W. Leuchars, 38 Piccadilly, London* (makers to the Royal Family) with near complete sterling silver fittings, London 1852 by Frances Douglas**,
Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000
A George III period mahogany apothecary box, of tall oblong form with satinwood clashing and corners to the hinged lid, fitted with a stirrup handle. The front opening wing doors revealing an interior of 18 compartments and glass bottles, the front partitions pierced with Gothic openings to reveal the bottle labels,
Estimate: $900 - $2,000
Two boxes of ~37 tincture vials bearing labels of an early 20thC New Zealand homeopathic consultant and a pharmacy - Marriage's Pharmacy and A.G. Grove, both of Queen St.
An 18thC multiple boxed set of approximately 310 bespoke engraved Chinese mother-of-pearl gaming counters, housed in a square lidded box holding five further boxes, each gold lacquered and monogrammed 'FS' to the lids, circa 1790
Estimate: $1,500 - $3,000
A late 19thC Ceylonese porcupine quill box, with hinged casket lid, the quill panels framed by ebony inlaid with bone rondels. 210 x 160 x 85mm
A good George IV period brass bound mahogany gentleman's dressing case by Thomas Briggs* 27 Piccadilly, London, with sterling silver capped cut crystal bottles and jars by John & Archibald Douglas, London 1825,
Estimate: $900 - $1,800
An olive wood work box, souvenir of a pilgrimage to the Middle East, oblong, undecorated except for a band of fine Tunbridge inlay framing the inked name 'Jerusalem'. Interior fitted with a lift out upper tier of small lidded compartments, silk winders and pincushion. 255 x 155 x 110mm
Estimate: $200 - $400
A late 19thC walnut workbox, inlaid with mother-of-pearl escutcheon, cartouche and rondels. Blue silk interior. With a collection of various doll's house dolls and parts. 280 x 200 x 100mm.
An ornate 19thC Tunbridge ware work box, with multiple chevron and ribbon bands to the top and walls. The interior with lidded compartments to a removeable top tier. The lower tier with a lift out tray flanked by drawers. With keys. 330 x 220 x 155mm
An early 20thC coconut palm wood writing slope, the lid opening to form a vertical stationery shelf, the front falling to make the slope. Variously partitioned, with one holding a rolling rule. The exterior walls and domed lid with small overall fluting.
A Victorian maple and rosewood marquetry veneered workbox, relined with silk and containing mother-of-pearl bobbins,
Estimate: $200 - $300
A Victorian Tunbridge-inlaid figured-walnut writing slope, with restored leather interior, complete with inkwell. 240 x 220 x 140mm
A Victorian birdseye maple and rosewood marquetry veneered workbox, with a symmetrical floral silhouette pattern. With key. 350 x 235 x 120mm
Estimate: $200 - $300
A small workbox, with multiple lidded compartments, most tortoiseshell veneer missing. 250 x 170 x 80mm
A good 19thC Cuban mahogany apothecary box, of plain oblong section with top brass bale handle and raised on ogee bracket feet,
Estimate: $1,600 - $3,200
A WW1 1918 dated British Naval barometer/altimeter by T. Wheeler, London the dial marked 'Compensated, T. Wheeler , London, 4114, 1918', in a brass case marked verso with broad arrow mark,
Estimate: $120 - $240
Conductor's ticket punch; set seven brass bucket weights ¼oz-16oz Troy; armourer's barrel inspection tool; and brass foundry sand moulding tool.
A 19thC brass monocular microscope by Charles Collins, Optician, 157 Gt. Portland St., London,
Estimate: $140 - $280
A 20thC brass drum top planetarium, the inner planets and sun raised above a plate with celestial map within an engraved calendar dial,
Estimate: $300 - $600
A Short & Mason black enamelled and gilt brass pocket 'Tycos' Verschoyle Transit* and a 70mm gunmetal prismatic survey compass on stem by the same maker.
A 19thC polished and lacquered brass monocular student's microscope by J. Swift, 43 University St, London, WC,
Estimate: $120 - $240
An early 20thC all brass monocular microscope by R & J Beck Ltd, London, number 29580
Estimate: $200 - $400
A blackened brass drum or pocket sextant by F Barker & Son, London, with silver scale from -5º to 140º, vernier from 0º to 30º, hinged and swivelling scale magnifier. Dia.80mm.
Two 20thC replica brass miniature sextants, both marked Stanley, 4" arc with military arrow and date 1916, the smaller 2½" arc dated 1884. With leather cases.
Two contemporary animation viewers by Hemisferium, a zoetrope and a praxinoscope, with approximately 30 animation strips, each rotating ring on turned wooden column base. H.220mm
An 1890s 'Bockett-type' paraffin microscope lamp by W. Watson & Sons, 313 High Holborn, London W.C.,
Dr. Nelson's Improved Inhaler, with glass mouthpiece; and a set of 19thC Chinese bone and brass balance scales in original bamboo banjo shaped case. L.350mm
A folding tabletop magnifying stereoscopic photograph and cartes de visite viewer, mahogany case with 3¾" lens and removable binocular lenses, folds to 145 x 270 x 75mm.
USIL (maker) Francis Barker design military M-73 type, Mils liquid filled prismatic compass,
Estimate: $100 - $160
Stanley (maker) Francis Barker design military M-73 type, Mils liquid filled prismatic compass,
Estimate: $90 - $150
A brass cased compensated pocket barometer-altimeter by Negretti & Zambra, London, No.18454, c.1875
Estimate: $90 - $150
An NZ retailed gilt brass compensated pocket barometer-altimeter, dial signed John R. Procter, Optician, Christchurch, NZ, in red leather case
Estimate: $100 - $160
A brass cased small metric barometer-altimeter, and a silver plated cased French pocket aneroid barometer-altimeter,
Estimate: $100 - $160
Four small pocket compasses; three open face with fob suspension and a floating dial in purple leatherette hinged case,
Three pocket compasses; two open face with pivot needles and a floating dial in brass press lidded case
Stanley (maker) Francis Barker design military M-73 type, Mils liquid filled (bubble) prismatic compass,
Estimate: $90 - $150
Three brass pocket compasses, all pivot needle, one with press lid by Beck, London,
Estimate: $100 - $200
WWI nickel plated hunter pocket compass by Clement Clarke Ltd, London; and another, unnamed,
Estimate: $100 - $160
Two 19thC brass pocket aneroid barometer-altimeters, one red leatherette cased, both with suspension rings,
Estimate: $100 - $160
Pocket watch-type pedometer; Smiths Yachting Timer; A. Franks Opticians 'Motor & Cycle Barometer'; and Cowey pocket watch,
Two pocket watch-type voltmeters; US Gauge Co., NY tire pressure gauge; Silva Type 5 induction damped compass c.1960; and a Silva Type 342 compass. (5)
Two L. S. Starret Machine Speed Indicator Tools, a brass glass cutter, small keys and hat pin protector ends.
A German celluloid folding combo mirror, compass, loupe and opera glasses; leather cased mid-19thC ivory pocket compass (thermometer absent); two mini fob compasses with fold out magnifying glass to one and coin silo to the other.
Two modern portable sundials; two tin cased 'Sunwatches'; WWI Verner's compass case parts only; other compass parts.
