Two rare netsuke of linked bells

A Japanese Nagasaki-e print, nishiki-e, depicting two camels

Two original late 19th century drawings, commissioned by Henry R. Knipe for his famous book Nebula to Man, published by J.M. Dent & Co., London, 1905

Henry R. Knipe (1854-1918), a geologist from Tunbridge Wells in Sussex, was a member of the Linnean and Geological Societies. He wrote two works on palaeontology, Nebula to Man (1905), which was written in rhyming verse, and Evolution in the Past (1912). His obituary in Geological Magazine recorded that he devoted “much time and labour to the popularization of the study of extinct animals in this country. With the aid especially of the Staff of the British Museum... he attempted to portray the animals of the past as they appeared when living, and sparing no expense, he employed the most skilled artists to carry out his plans”. The impressions of the discovered fossils rocked the world, and nowadays seem quite accurate as well

A rare glass with the engraving of an East-Indiaman and with text "WELLE KOM OP BATAVIA"

The Dutch have a long tradition of drinking games, and various glasses were made to get your guests as drunk as possible, the sooner the better. The Dutch liked (and still like) their drinks, and also during celebratory moments, the glass was raised. Often, with birth, marriage or any other family celebration, special glasses were made that were used to toast with and that would be passed to one another. But also amongst colleagues drinking was greatly appreciated. The glasses present show that the different chambers of the East and West India Trading Companies drank on the welfare of their ships and trade, and the glass welcoming people to Batavia shows that even upon arrival drinks were mandatory.