Morning Glory Brooch/Pendant, Marcus & Co., American c. 1900. On exhibit at Forbes Galleries

Currently on view at Forbes Galleries, “International Art Jewelry 1895-1925″ is an expansive look at the emergence of art jewelry in the late 19th century. A time of radical innovation, the end of the Victorian age found artists the world over eager to spearhead a new design aesthetic. Jewelry makers, like other artists, found themselves pushing the boundaries of imagination to create pieces entirely new, like the stunning pendant above.

The exhibition features an impressively wide range of objects, revealing how the political and social landscapes of the artisans’ lives merged with their own inventiveness and evoloving techniques to create works that are completely fresh, and yet, alive with history. “International Art Jewelry 1895-1925″ runs through March 17, 2012 and is located in the Jewelry Gallery of the Forbes Galleries on the lobby level of the Forbes building.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is proud to introduce its new exhibition, The Game of Kings: Medieval Ivory Chessmen from the Isle of Lewis. In 1831, a hoard of luxury items, including more than 70 chess pieces carved of walrus ivory and dating as early as the 12th century, was unearthed on the Isle of Lewis off the west coast of Scotland. The chess pieces, which come from at least four distinct but incomplete sets, are among the most famous chess pieces in the world. The current exhibition at The Cloisters, the medieval art branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, represents the first time a large ensemble of the chessmen has ever traveled outside the United Kingdom. Each piece of the Lewis Chessmen is a unique, individualized sculpture in miniature and the presentation of the pieces will take the form of the final position of a famous modern chess match. See one of the rare chess sets showcased at the Manhattan Art & Antiques Center here.

Judith Leiber, the name in handbags of elegant luxury, started her remarkable career as the first woman to join the Hungarian Handbag Guild during World War II. Of Jewish descent, she escaped the Holocaust and eventually immigrated to the United States in 1947 where she and her husband, George Leiber, founded the eponymous company that redefined accessories. Building her business on the principle of pairing innovative design with exquisite hand-craftsmanship, Judith Leiber has never swerved from this path as evidenced in the Lizard Karung onyx and hematite rhinestone studded evening bag above.

Judith Leiber handbags are signature favorites with international royalty, stars, and political figures. Nearly every First Lady dating back to 1953 has carried a Judith Leiber to the Presidential Inauguration ceremonies. Classic examples of her work are displayed in the permanent design collections at the Smithsonian, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and several other prestigious institutions around the world. In 1994, Judith Leiber received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers in recognition of her invaluable contribution to the art of fashion. Treasures & Pleasures can be contacted here about the artful piece above.

Samanid slip-painted pottery bowl, 9th century AD, Anavian Gallery

In the long and vibrant history of Islamic art, the Samanid Dynasty (AD 819-999) though short-lived was one of the most significant. The first native Persian empire to arise after the Muslim Arab conquest, the Samanid Dynasty represented a renaissance of early Iranian culture, not the least of which is its contribution to pottery making. The most important advance made by Samanid artists was the introduction of slip painting to pottery decoration. By using ground slip and slip pigments, Samanid potters could prevent the designs from running in the kiln when heated as they used to with the fluid glazes used then. This allowed potters to produce a magnificent variety of surface decorations such as the olive green spotted lion or leopard against the creamy white background of the pottery bowl above. Anavian Gallery can be contacted here for more information on this bowl.

Large Galle glass vase, France, 19th century, Bella Antiques Gallery

Antique Week in New York City has drawn to a close but as every antiques dealer knows, the biggest and most important antique show in the world is held this week, February 2-6, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Florida. The Original Miami Beach Antiques Show boasts a fascinating selection of over 800 established dealers from 22 countries around the world. Needless to say, every category of art and antiques is represented. A staple for dealers since 1961, the Show also welcomes designers, decorators, museum curators as well as novice collectors. A free appraisal is offered to attendees on Saturday, February 4.

Scottish Mull, circa 1800, Robert Lloyd Gallery.

Several dealers from the Manhattan Art & Antiques Center are among the select group of exhibitors at “The Show,” as the Original Miami Beach Antique Show is known in the industry, including Bella Antiques, Robert Lloyd, Inc., and Hadassa Antiques, each representing diverse items of superb quality. Tickets for the show can be purchased here.

Japanese woodblock print, titled "Senzoku Pond" by Hasui, c. 1928, from the Akasaka Collection

The earliest example of Japanese woodblock printing dates to the 8th century when Empress Koken commissioned one million small wooden pagodas with Buddhist text to be made and distributed freely among believers in temples all over the country. It wasn’t until the late 16th century that the first secular woodblock prints started to appear, and wide adoption of the art didn’t take place until the Edo period (1603-1867). Today, the best known form of woodblock printing is ukiyo-e, which translates to “scenes of the floating world,” derived from the Buddhist concept that all earthly joys are transient. A late master of this style, Hasui Kawase (1883-1957) evoked this fleeting beauty in his seasonal prints.

Two Rabbits and Bush Clover Under Moon ("Hagi no Usagi") by Koson, c. 1931, from the Akasaka Collection

The process of woodblock printing begins with an image drawn on washi (Japanese paper), which is then glued to wood, after which, the wood is cut away based on the outlines of the drawings. Finally, a small wooden object called a baren is used to press the paper against the inked woodblock leaving an impression of the ink on paper. Known in Japanese as moku hanga, the Japanese style differs from Western woodblock printing as it uses water-based ink instead of oil-based inks allowing for far greater expression of color and subtlety.  Ohara Koson (1877-1945), one of the foremost producers of animal and flower prints in the 20th century, uses this wider range to its fullest effect, producing hauntingly expressive animals as above. The Akasaka Collection Gallery can be reached here about these and other exquisite prints.

The most prestigious antiques event of year, the 58th annual Winter Antiques Show is exhibiting at the Park Avenue Armory through January 29th. As all avid art and antiques collectors, curators, dealers and general lovers know, the show is a cornucopia of riches. All that is unusual, beautiful, and interesting will be on view for the public to peruse.

Joining the illustrious exhibitors this year are several specialists in 17-19th century American art and furniture. This year’s loan exhibition “Celebrating Historic Hudson Valley at 60,” donated by the Historic Hudson Valley museum, showcases art from important historic houses in the Hudson Valley, including Washington Irving’s Sunnyside.

This Thursday, January 24th, is the highly anticipated Young Collector’s Night, a glittering event featuring cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a private viewing of the Show, and a chance to mingle with new collectors, prominent designers and emerging philanthropists. Tickets for this event can be purchased here. See full list of exhibitors at winterantiquesshow.com

Victorian Mappin & Webb cutlery set, English, 1896 from Estate Silver Co.

Founded in Sheffield, England by Jonathan Mappin in 1774, Mappin & Webb has grown into one of the world’s leading retailers of fine jewellery and silverware. Originally opened as a small silversmith workshop, Jonathan Mappin’s business quickly outstripped its humble origins. By 1858 when John Newton Mappin asked his brother-in-law, George Webb, to join him in the business, Mappin already had the reputation for producing some of the best quality silver in the country, including exquisite work such as the Victorian cutlery set with carved pearl handles and hand pierced and engraved blades above.

Today, the company combines its timeless craftsmanship with contemporary design to produce exquisite jewellery and elegant silverware, and is silversmith to Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Estate Silver can be reached here.

Spode tulip cups and stand, C.1820 the New York Ceramics Fair.

The New York Ceramics Fair will be held tomorrow, January, 17, at its new location, the Grand Ballroom of the Bohemian National Hall, on East 73rd Street between 1st & 2nd Avenues. The New York Ceramics Fair brings together a select and distinguished international group of approximately 36 galleries, including galleries from the Manhattan Art & Antiques Center, offering all things “fired” – porcelain, pottery, glass, cloisonné and enamels. The Fair annually presents the most comprehensive ceramics offerings available in one setting in this country or abroad. As Magazine Antiques writes, “The Fair…..has become a highlight in the calendar of every ceramics and glass collector.”

An enameled goose-shaped tureen, C. 1770, the New York Ceramics Fair

Pocketwatch recovered from the RMS Titanic. Source: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

The largest collection of artifacts salvaged from the ill-fated RMS Titanic is set for auction at in New York City on the 100th anniversary of the disastrous shipwreck. Over 5,000 items including fine china, personal items and actual pieces of the ship form the collection, which is valued at approximately $189 million. The auction will be held on April 1, 2012 but the results won’t be announced until April 15–the day the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage from Southhampton, England to New York City.

Cup recovered from the RMS Titanic. Source: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

The largest and most opulent steamship in the world at the time, the Titanic was owned by the White Star Line company and infamously dubbed “unsinkable.” 1517 of the 2,223 people aboard died when the luxury liner struck the now infamous iceberg and sank. The artifacts will be sold as a complete collection and due to a 2010 court ruling, the new owner must make the collection available for public exhibition and for research purposes.