Antique Grotesque

These exquisite antique iron wall lights brackets showcase a magnificent Central Italian Renaissance-revival motif, centered around a beautifully hand-painted double-tailed mermaid n...

Often, there are figures carrying masks or musical instruments, grotesque characters, or actors. With the exception of Aphrodite and Eros, gods are rather infrequent.

Often, there are figures carrying masks or musical instruments, grotesque characters, or actors. With the exception of Aphrodite and Eros, gods are rather infrequent.

It is supported by a cylindrical gilt bronze stem which has been mounted with grotesque masks and is set on a curved fluted tripod base on paw feet.

In the papal capital he worked for many noble families and for important cardinals such as Alessandro Farnese and Scipione Borghese.He returned to Florence for a short stay, where he...

The wood grain veneer on has been applied in a "four-way book-matched" pattern, and some of the marquetry motifs show the influence of 17th century French designer Jean Bérain, who p...

A protean figure hovering between the apotropaic grotesque and a celebration of the natural world, it adorns capitals, keystones, misericords and corbels alike.

A wonderful example of an Italian Renaissance style walnut credenza with contrasting fruitwood marquetry decoration featuring grotesque masks, ribbons, scrollwork and floral detail, ...

These theatrical characters stand on ornamental strapwork pedestals beneath stylised canopies, designs likely influenced by decorative grotesques associated with artists such as Jean...

Drawing inspiration from Renaissance Revival styling with grotesque face formed finials over a curved back, 'C' scrolled arms, a saddle seat and trestle form base.

A very finely cast French Napoleon III bronze garland festooned cassolettes with grotesque mask handles raised on round stepped griotte marble bases.

This etching is part of Balli di Sfessania, Jacques Callot’s celebrated series depicting grotesque dancers inspired by the Neapolitan commedia dell’arte tradition.

The central clock, with its rich architectural décor, is adorned with painted enamel panels depicting a grotesque mask and two cherubs framing a vase of flowers.

These mounts are cast as grotesque masks with pronounced brows, deep set eyes, and a long stylized beard, beneath which the mounts continue downward into relief carvings of fruit clu...

With very fine hand painted classic scenes and grotesque faces embossed to the sides on each handle.

At its core, a striking cartouche displays an intricately crafted aquatic scene, crowned by a grotesque mask and flanked by finely detailed lion heads.

The decorative elements are compelling - all twelve socket arms issue forth from the mouths of twelve grotesque faces encircling the bottom bowl of the lamp.

Shaped arms with floral and acanthus leaf decoration, which is carried on around the front base.  Grotesque face to reverse with a further decoration of acanthus leaves.   

The figures' exaggerated, almost grotesque features are meant to expose the "human depravity" of the time.

Two very similar pietra dura and ormolu photograph frames on easels, each of oval form with a pietra dura panel inlaid with a posy of roses, stephanotis and forget-me-not on a black...

The work is characteristic of the expressionist style, and was probably executed during the years surrounding the First World War, when the graphic productions focused on themes of m...

The composition can be read as a profound allegory of the soul’s passage: from the mermaids of the sea (purgatory), past earthly temptations and grotesque trials, toward the angelic ...

The clock case has a rectangular base and is decorated at the corners with gilt bronze appliqués featuring vegetal motifs topped with grotesques of female busts. Pinecones and a pear...

Additionally, the image of beggars was often found in Steinhardt's works and in his artistic presentation of the less fortunate, the artist's love for his fellow man becomes evident....

Below, the composition continues into a richly carved arrangement of grotesque masks surrounded by scrolling foliage and mythological elements.

Boilly balances caricature with empathy, creating figures that are expressive without becoming grotesque. As part of the Grimaces series, this work reflects early 19th-century inter...

Boilly balances caricature with empathy, creating figures that are expressive without becoming grotesque. As part of the Grimaces series, this work reflects early 19th-century inter...

(Portrait of Count) or deforms it into grotesque figures – e.g., see Imperatori e Imperatrici (Emperors & Empresses, 1942–1943).

The scene is rich in narrative intensity: Saint Radegonde, haloed and robed, extends her hand in a gesture of spiritual authority as she casts a demon from a possessed woman. The gro...

Below a profusely carved drawer with later brass handle, flanked either side by grotesques. Standing on barley twist legs and stretchers, terminating on a ball foot.

A sharp and witty example of early 20th-century French political satire, Grand Conseil des Anges au Paradis Républicain presents a grotesque caricature of the political elite gathere...

Top surface with carved edge, below which are 3 drawers decorated with carved grotesques and carved birds acting as handles. Each pedestal door decorated with applied carving and fie...

The central seated figure, rendered with exaggerated physiognomy and an open, mask-like mouth, is flanked by two looming characters whose postures and expressions reinforce a sense o...

Michael the Archangel, immortalised full-length as a youth of ethereal beauty, strong and delicate at the same time, who is clothed in shining armour, indicating his role as Prince o...

Table clock with a Rouge Griotte marble base, embellished with several gilt bronze reliefs on the front (in the center, an openwork symmetrical composition with a mascaron flanked by...

A lively etching from Jacques Callot’s celebrated series Balli di Sfessania, depicting two grotesque comic figures engaged in an exaggerated dance or mock duel.

Flanking each side, two grotesque hybrid creatures with bat-like wings and expressive faces enhance the dreamlike and fantastical nature of the piece.

The composition is dominated by the grotesque figure of a bear seated in a chair, clad in clerical bands and raising a foaming tankard.

Typical characteristics include solid walnut construction, bold architectural forms, and restrained yet confident carving—often featuring scrolling foliage, cartouches, grotesques, a...

The sides of this exceptional box are encompassed with chased decorated grotesque mask and scrolling leaf decoration, accented with floral motifs, all on a matte background.

A forerunner of 20th-century Expressionism and one of the major figures of the Belgian avant-garde in the late 19th century, James Ensor was a visionary, mystic, allegoric, and anarc...

These two vases are of exceptional quality, decorated all over with Renaissance and antique forms, including grotesques, cornucopias, and lion paws. Typical historicist designs for t...

The cameo is secured within a gold collet, the mount constructed with pierced shoulders that rise to the bezel before tapering into a plain shank; the setting is open-backed. This k...

The front features three highly decorative doors with panels of intricate inlaid Bérainesque grotesques, following the distinct style of French cabinetmaker Nicolas Sageot.

Leslie Ward’s works are particularly admired for their elegant draughtsmanship and balanced satire, capturing personality without exaggeration becoming grotesque. The prints were pr...

Designed as barbell-style cufflinks terminating with slightly domed oval-shaped faces Depicting deeply grooved God of Wind grotesques with scrolling foliates Bezel set with old Europ...

He was a very prolific and versatile painter who worked in many genres and created portraits, genre scenes and grotesques. It is indeed a grotesque subject that is represented in thi...

Antique 14ct and 20ct Gold Stick Pin – Classical Mask Motif c.1880 A fine quality antique stick pin featuring a dramatic classical mask or grotesque head finely cast in 20ct gold, ...

Our mid 19th century French Louis XIV style bench has beautifully carved legs connected by a lovely stretcher decorated with grotesque masks at each corner. Our bench was acquired wi...

Renaissance Ornament Print – “Por la Gracia de Dios” Panel with Cherubs & Scrollwork This striking chromolithograph, Plate LXIII from L’Ornement Polychrome (Paris, c.1869), presents...

« The Roof of Folly: An Allegory of the Fall » This enigmatic 17th-century painting, laden with symbolic content, echoes the allegorical tradition of Hieronymus Bosch, fusing grotes...

The wonderful and sometimes even grotesque carvings, combined with the wonderful wood grain of the burl make this sideboard a rare and unusual piece of furniture.

Pair of bronze andirons, Louis XIV style, decorated with women's heads, flowers and grotesques Wear from use, patina wear Period 19th century Height 66cm 29 x 56cm

Each piece is beautifully hand-painted with intricate grotesque decorations, fantastical creatures, winged putti and scrolling motifs inspired by 16th century Italian maiolica.

The tall, architectural backs are deeply carved with classical and grotesque motifs, including scrolling acanthus foliage, floral rosettes, shell elements, and a dramatic central mas...

This style of figural design is called grotesque.  

Heavily patinated with characterful losses throughout but retaining a stylised Medusa mask and further grotesque mask beneath. Inscribed with the date of production.