Terracotta Toys and Dolls

Rare and stunning sculpture of Christ. Even from up-close most people think this is a bronze. That's how good the surface and bronzed patina of this impressive sculpture are. The sc...

MUSEUM PERFECTION ! AZTEC INFLUENCED LATIN AMERICAN COLONIAL ART AMAZINGLY RARE PIECE ! Approx. 14" x 8" x 2 1/2" After Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztec empire, painting and sculpture schools were set up within missions to produce art for Roman Catholic worship in Spanish America to promote Christian evangelization. The works that emerge from this period are great historic treasures and tell us much about this time in history. Icons were important in this conversion process. Here is an Imagene that was likely employed in a church from the 17th century. It features 5 elaborately carved faces and figures depicting angels and saints. This piece is magnificent for many reasons, but the most important reason is that this piece illustrates the bridge between the Spanish and Aztec art schools. The Aztecs had developed the most splendid feather art in the world. Feather mosaics (arte plumario in Spanish, amantecayotl in Nahuatl), were created by specially trained and talented Aztec nobles. The blue green iridescent color of hummingbird feathers had made them a regular form of tribute to Aztec rulers and art that featured these feathers were incomparable. The Spanish art instructors adopted feathers into traditional Catholic imagery and this piece shows the result of such hybrid. Here feathers are prominently sculpted into the background and were polychromed with sensational hues to reflect the native love and cultural appreciation for feather art. Few feather mosaics survive because of their temporal frailty, but the wood worked feathers in this piece give scholars and collectors a lasting indication of how Aztecs stylistically used the feathers in their pieces. Aztec religious leaders wore headdresses and garments made of feathers - and here these saints appear to be wearing feather headdresses! Even after centuries, the colors of this piece are incredibly compelling. Fragments of the rich blue green pigment that was applied to mimic the hummingbird feathers are still present. The golds, yellows and browns display spectacular understanding of complementary colors. What's more this piece also shows Aztec sun imagery incorporated into the design! On the reverse side of the Saints' faces we see a vivid blue sun burst type design which clearly was an Aztec motif of the period and has no comparable counterpart in Catholic holy treasures...

Impressive size and highly decorative, French bronze sculpture. If you are looking for a work of art with both historical and decorative value then this large bronze sculpture could...

A cute petite religious Ex Voto. I do not know what it is made of, thin and light filigree silver or silver plated metal. It is handmade, embossed and then welded. Given the delicacy...

Limited edition Mexican Bella Catrina figurine in black gloss finish porcelain, adorned with three handmade flowers. The people of Mexico have a special relationship with death, to the point that it is part of the culture and daily life of this North American country. The Bella Catrina, conceived in the imagination of the artist Jose Guadalupe Posada...

Classic early 1900s or older silvered Metal Cigar Cutter. Beautiful large size cigar cutter in the form of a Fox. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austria. It has its all original ...

18th century portuguese pair of polychrome sculptures of warriors on pedestal.

An amazing rocking horse made of wood covered in cow hide. Its saddle and reins and tack are all leather while the bit and stirrups are metal. The horse has inset glass eyes and rest...

Beautiful antique French pajama dog, French Loulou dog, real fur over paper mache! He has wonderful glass eyes, a paper mache body and soft fur. Beautiful facial expression! There is...

This antique cherub figure was crafted in Italy, circa 1780. The hand-painted putti carving features its original polychrome and gold leaf finish for a luxurious result. The hand carved cherub is expressive in it's movement and features a wonderful facial expression. The colorful wall hanging...

Antique Red Fox Skull Taxidermy, Germany ca. 1900s An antique taxidermied skull of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) mounted on an ebonized wooden turned ba...

Unique Bavarian hunting walking cane from the early 20th century - the walking cane is handmade of blackthorn wood, featuring an engraved deer antler handle with silver chiselled col...