An intriguing architectural element reflects the Roman social order. Pisciculture -- the process of raising fish -- held a lasting fascination for the people of ancient Rome. Whether bred for household consumption, cultivated for sale at market, or simply kept in confinement for reasons of aesthetic appreciation, fish remained an important commodity and prominent cultural symbol throughout the periods of the Roman Republic and early Empire...

Sauce label for KETCHUP made in England around 1810 and remaining in very good condition. This is Old Sheffield Plate (OSP), but the silver is in very good shape with only the very slightest blush showing on a few of the beads at the top. It is 1⅜ inches wide and about ½-inch high. A nice addition for your collection of bottle labels or tickets or just fun if you like ketchup.

French absinthe era bar saucer with 2 franc 50 centime price with yellow rim and gilt line decoration. This is a guaranteed genuine turn-of-the-century saucer or soucoupe from the Belle Epoque when poets and artists drank the addictive wormwood-based drink absinthe, which was banned in France in 1915. When you ordered, each drink was served on a priced saucer...

French absinthe era bar saucer with 3 franc 50 centime price and scarce silver-gilt rim and line decoration. This is a guaranteed genuine turn-of-the-century saucer or soucoupe from the Belle Epoque when poets and artists drank the addictive wormwood-based drink absinthe, which was banned in France in 1915. When you ordered, each drink was served on a priced saucer...

Antique blown glass topette with original stopper from an old French bar holding two doses or portions. Each ring represented a dose, or one drink, of absinthe, which was diluted with water, often poured over a sugar cube, before drinking. The bar patron was charged for however many doses he or she consumed. This topette was hand blown in heavy lead glass, has a mark from the pontil on the bottom. This one is 4 3/4 inches tall to the top of the stopper, and dates from about 1900 or earlier...

French absinthe era bar saucer with 1 franc 75 centime price and scarce silver-gilt rim and line decoration. This is a guaranteed genuine turn-of-the-century saucer or soucoupe from the Belle Epoque when poets and artists drank the addictive wormwood-based drink absinthe, which was banned in France in 1915. When you ordered, each drink was served on a priced saucer...

French absinthe era bar saucer with 3 franc 25 centime price and scarce silver-gilt rim and line decoration. This is a guaranteed genuine turn-of-the-century saucer or soucoupe from the Belle Epoque when poets and artists drank the addictive wormwood-based drink absinthe, which was banned in France in 1915. When you ordered, each drink was served on a priced saucer...

Funny French satirical transfer plate making fun of the sport of fishing (La Peche a la Ligne), a very amusing collectible and great gift for the enthusiast of the sport. The caption reads: “Mais non, avant de rejeter votre soulier, regardez s'il n'y a pas un poisson dedans" Dating from about 1925, this plate is 7 3/4 inches in diameter and is marked on the back with the stamp for St. Amand Etablisements Ceramiques. Condition is excellent.

Funny French satirical transfer plate making fun of the sport of hunting (La Chasse), an amusing collectible and great gift for the enthusiast of the sport. The caption reads: “-Pardon mon cher ami, je ne l’ai pas fais expres!” this means something like, “pardon me, my dear friend, I did not do it purposely!”Dating from about 1925, this plate is 7 3/4 inches in diameter and is marked on the back with the stamp for St. Amand Etablisements Ceramiques. Condition is excellent.

Large quarto softcover with fascinating drawings and illustrations from the University of Toronto Press, published in 1972, 254 pp. Condition is very good: clean and tight. ISBN 0-8020-6255-5.

French absinthe era bar saucer with 2 franc price, blue rim decoration and gold gilt hairline circles inside. This is a guaranteed genuine turn-of-the-century saucer or soucoupe from the Belle Epoque when poets and artists drank the addictive wormwood-based drink absinthe, which was banned in France in 1915. When you ordered, each drink was served on a priced saucer...

This very amusing French transfer plate making fun of tennis and tennis players. A great item for the tennis enthusiast. Vintage tennis collectibles are hard to find. It was manufactured by St. Amand, probably in the mid 1920's. There is some very light staining around the inside of the rim, but it does not detract from the attractiveness of the piece. Diameter is 7 3/4 inches. The photograph of the plate has some reflections which make it harder to see the details -- sorry.