Talisman of Malar (Dragon #289, p94) is a holy symbol of natural armor +1. A lycanthrope wearer also gets a +4 deflection bonus to AC, for less than the cost of a normal deflection bonus item.
The alchemist's flask (1,800gp) from the same issue is pretty cool - "fluids, powders and leaves" poured into it mix quickly and evenly (even if normally immiscible), and a command word causes each component to pour out separately. Uses mentioned include making tea, extracting poisons, and checking the quality of water.
The rose of kings (10,000gp) is a flask that prevents all the people who drink from it from lying to each other (but not other creatures) for 1 hour with no saving throw, though the specifics make it impossible to trick people into it.
The spy glass (16,000gp) lets you see through any wall you place it against... but only walls, and they must be constructed or carved.
Golden the Clockwork Cat from #299 is a 12,000gp construct that can be designated as its owner's familiar, gaining all standard benefits.
