Gilt Folk Art

French gilt filigree crown with jewels and cross on top and purple fabric.

A stunning antique Italian Baroque style silvered metal gilded wood monstrance reliquary. circa 1770-1820 Handmade in Italy in the late 18th / early 19th century, commissioned by the church to display an important religious relic, sculptural painted wood form, mounted with decorative silver repousse metal facing, open oval window where the philatory relic was once housed, rising on a gold gilt painted shaped plinth base. Dimensions: (approx) 17" High, 8" Wide, 5" Deep, 1.25lbs History: Reliquaries (also referred to as a shrine or châsse in French), are containers used to protect and display relics. A portable reliquary may be called a fereter, and a chapel in which it is housed a feretory. A monstrance, also known as an ostensorium (or an ostensory), is a vessel used in Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, High Church Lutheran and Anglican churches for the display on an altar of some object of piety, such as the consecrated Eucharistic host during Eucharistic adoration or Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. It is also used as reliquary for the public display of relics of some saints. The use of reliquaries became an important part of Christian practices from at least the 4th century, initially in the Eastern Churches, which adopted the practice of moving and dividing the bodies of saints much earlier than the West, probably in part because the new capital of Constantinople, unlike Rome, lacked buried saints. Relics are venerated in the Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and some Anglican Churches. Reliquaries provide a means of protecting and displaying relics. While frequently taking the form of caskets, they range in size from simple pendants or rings to very elaborate ossuaries. The relics were enshrined in containers crafted of or covered with gold, silver, gems, and enamel. These objects constituted a important form of artistic production across Europe and Byzantium throughout the Middle Ages. Many were designed with portability in mind, often being exhibited in public or carried in procession on the saint's feast day or on other holy days. Pilgrimages often centered on the veneration of relics. The faithful often venerate relics by bowing before the reliquary or kissing it; those churches which observe the veneration of relics distinguish between the honor given to the saints and the worship that is due to God alone. Sixteenth-century reformers such as Martin Luther opposed the use of relics since many had no proof of historical authenticity and objected to a cult of saints. Many reliquaries, particularly in northern Europe, were destroyed by Calvinists or Calvinist sympathizers during the Reformation...

Chess table and chess game in bronze and brass made with the ancient casting technique. After the casting, the finishing was chiseled and subsequently silvered and finished with 24-k...

Black Americana Antique Folk Art or Outsider Art Portrait Black American Lawyer, Signed June 10, 1862 This is an original historical and detailed hand incised work of art on wood p...

2 French Louis XVI-style (19th Century) gilt bronze water faucet with fluted design spout and wood handle (PRICED EACH)

This fish-shaped “TACKLE” sign is such a bold and playful nod to vintage Americana. The golden finish gives it a warm, sunlit feel, like something you’d spot hanging outside a lakesi...

Rare and fabulous 19th century faux book with compass legs as legs. Mustard paint on the legs with Gilt on the pages of the leather bound book. Looks to be original tassle.. Possibly...

American (19th Century) sleigh with swell-sided, rounded-rectangular body painted in glossy green and red finish with interior plush, upholstered red seat and moss-carpeted bottom. P...

Very unusual sculpture of a leopard, painstakingly formed by welding stock steel washers into its exquisite seated pose, having a gilded finish. ...

Full body molded copper spread wing eagle with cast zinc talons perched on a copper sphere. Great proportions with outstretched wings, showing wonderful detailing to the body and win...

A hand carved and gilt 'LTD' shop sign. c.1900 Once part of a larger shop sign with reverse painted glass over the top. Lovely decorative statement piece in wonderful original condi...

A 19th century American folk art oil painting on canvas depicting a river scene at dawn with a horse and rider on a bridge over a waterf...

Venetian hand painted and gilt figural pagoda two-drawer commode with scalloped edge top, gilt carved shell form handles, and resting on a scalloped edge floral skirt with the origin...

Attributed to LaBarge, this large mirror features a well-proportioned shield or crest shape with a carved and gilt wooden frame. A handsome accent piece for any modern home or hallwa...

19th century Flemish gilt zinc horse head trade sign. This beautiful hand made sign was used by a Flemish butcher and dates to circa 1860. There are still remnants of the beautiful g...

A fine hand carved and gilded American wooden eagle clutching arrows and a polychrome Liberty shield, dating to the 20th century, unsigned, in very good overall condition, with minim...

This delicately detailed set of four allegorical porcelain plaques portrays family scenes within the theme of the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Spring can be ide...

Beautiful pair (2) old Japanese vintage gilt pheasant bird sculptures. Marked Japan on bottoms. From our recent Japanese acquisitions in original condition with original attractive gilding present. Japan, an attractive and iconic pair (2) pheasant sculptures with original gilt patina. One is poised with vertical tail and thehy other in a seated horizontal position. The pheasant is considered Japan's national bird. This creative simple adaption makes a compelling contemporary pair of sculptures. Fine original used condition with original gold gilt patina appropriate to their age. Original gilt patina from age. Dimensions: 7 inches tall and 6.5 inches wide Photographed in natural day light. Quality: Excellent quality and fine craftsmanship by Japanese specialized artisans Provenance: authentic Japanese examples (see labels). Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. All of our Asian works of art come with our lifetime authenticity guarantee. About Japan's Green Pheasant In Japanese culture, the green pheasant is unofficially considered the national bird of the country owing to its references in ancient folk tales of Japan. The green pheasant was said to be a messenger of the Sun Goddess...

1910 -1920s brass bank sign "Legal Holiday -Today Election Day -No Business Transacted" attached to original oak board. Complete set with 15 interchangeable...

A plate of silver gilt bronze, incised with a large image of a roaring lion. The lion is depicted mid-stride, with its foreleg raised in front of it. The lion’s mouth is opened wide,...

A 19c naive oil painting on a thin wooden panel of a young girl in an architectural and wooded landscape in a black painted frame with gilt slip. A regency period portrait...

A large colorful example of a carved gilt and polychromed carved wooden eagle clutching a shield with arrows signed and dated 1989 on verso by Jerry St. Clair, Rockport, ME. Very goo...

ANTIQUE PAINTED SHOP DISPLAY STORAGE TIN On a larger-than-average scale, a dusky orange painted storage canister with gilt lettering. Inscribed ‘Brand & Zoon, Tiel, Koffee, Th...

A rare find this 18th century Spanish altar front, original gilt on chestnut, hand painted, highly decorative wall art, different, genuine, love t...

Early 19th century gilt wood framed oil on canvas painting featuring basket of fruits and flowers. The painting is in good antique condition. Minor wear consistent with age / use. Ar...

Late 19th Century "Pocket Watch" Carved Wood Trade Sign. Watch-makers / repairs sign.. Wonderful graphics..Amazing patina. color , surface. Remnants of old gold paint.

Pair of oval 19th century Spanish Colonial giltwood mirrors. Intertwined rope design on frame, mirror insets in frame. Measurements: Height: 34" Wide :31"  

19th c., Americana, a large scale gilt and forest green painted cast plaster eagle, depicted spread-wing, with crisply detailed overlapping feathers. With mounting bracket on reverse. This is a very handsome example of an iconic form. The combination of the gilt and forest green paint is striking. Depictions of eagles can be seen across American art. The national bird of the United States, the eagle has been used as a symbol of American freedom for centuries. This is a fine example in the style of John Haley Bellamy...

18th century French pair of oils on gold leaf panels. One is depicting an angel playing the violin, and the other one is holding the music book.

Huge vintage hand-carved from one piece of solid wood Buddha mask with gold leaf embellished lotus headdress. Beautifully hand carved & painted, it has a...

American gilt copper full bodied running horse directional weathervane with two gilt circular spheres resting on squared iron stand, J.W. Fiske, late 19th century.

A Large and Impressive Continental 19th Century Patinated Bronze and Giltwood Carved Crucifix Former property of Siegfried & Roy, the renown German...

Pair of Italian painted and gilt vitrines with hinged glass tops, carved intertwined decorative floral vine motif, corner floral medallions, and terminating on bulbous fluted legs su...

Italian gilt carved wood window bench with scrolled floral medallion arms, carved floral skirt , and terminating on scrolled fluted legs. Bench has b...

Handcrafted Moroccan Moorish gilt glass perfume bottle. Hand blown glass perfume bottle gilded with 24-karat gold hand painted designs...

You don't see these everyday! Rare and exceptional architectural elements consisting of parcel gilt metal and wood with beading and ball feet attributed as late 19th Century or early...

Set of four English Regency paper mâché painted and gilt nest of tables with shell, coral and mother-of-pearl inlaid checker board top. Tables are ...

A Large Patinated Bronze and Parcel-Gilt-Bronze Decorative Figure of a Thai Thepphanom Kneeling Angel Buddha. The impressive sculpture of a kneeling angel Buddha, kneeling on both kn...

A weathervane in the form of a running horse, that was likely modeled after "Dexter" circa late 19th century on a custom display stand. The full body molded horse has a gilt surface with verdigris patina. Not entirely sure of the maker but possible by L. W. Cushing & Co. In Waltham or Harris. Co in Boston. The surface has been re-gilt historically likely dated from early 20th century. A lovely piece that transcends American fold art...

We present you an 19th century antique Nigerian high quality bronze GOLD PLATED bracelet currency traditionally used in monetary functions ...

This lamp is in the spirit of Diego Giacometti who used a stylised tree motif as stand-alone sculpture and also as sculpture to embellish his bronze furniture. A pair of these tree s...

An Ashanti Chief’s ceremonial gold and gilt-metal crown and sash Ghana, early 20th century Diam. 20 cm (crown) L. 128 cm (sash) H. 102 cm (incl. st...

This elegant pair of oval decorative plaques represents the refined artistry of late 19th-century French porcelain production. Made in Limoges and bearing the mark of Tharaud – Limog...

A beautiful pair of 18th century Austrian carved gilt wood angel cherubs with their original hooks to the back .

A rare, likely one-of-a-kind, large antique, circa 1860s, early American hand carved, painted, and sculpted wooden patriotic barber pole advertising trade sign / open sign...

American gilt carved wood and poly chromed nautical figurehead of Roman guard in military attire. Late 19th century.

A fabulous French Empire period giltwood figural candlestick, early 19th century, now professionally electrified and fashioned as a single-light table lamp. Exquisitely hand carve...

American diminutive gilt copper spread eagle weathervane mounted on squared iron stand, Early 19th century. Squared iron base is 4.75 inches .

A rare and exceptional antique Southeast Asian Burmese hand carved and gilded teak wood religious figure Buddhist temple -monastery sculpture. Exquisitely hand-crafted in Burma (present day Myanmar) in the late 19th century, finely sculpted from a single piece of teakwood, exceptionally executed in period Mandalay taste, highly detailed and decorated, showcasing the most exquisite craftsmanship throughout. Modeled in an exceedingly rare and unusual form, depicting a tall standing Na spirit figure, adorned in fanciful Royal dancer garment, elaborately decorated and embellished with brilliant polychrome colored mirrored glass jewel inlays, red lacquered dress tail, he stands carrying a golden stag deer around shoulders and neck, the naturalistic deer having delicate four point antlers, all over an ebonized base, resting on a custom later Thai wooden pedestal stand. Dimensions: (approx) Overall: 27"h, 9"w, 7.75"d Figure: 19.25"h, 9"w, 7.5"d Base 7.75"h, 8"w, 7.75"d; 10.5"h with post Condition: A superb museum quality example, wonderfully preserved original antique condition with nicely aged warm rich dark patina and minimal losses. *Additional photos available upon request We immediately gravitated towards it upon first sight, and have not seen another piece quite like it form, quality, or scope. It would look amazing in just about any setting, with its remarkable design and visually striking eye-catching light reflection, it's sure to become a focal point of any space, while adding a thoughtful touch of rich cultural history, sophistication, elegant warmth, tranquility and serenity to any home! Provenance / Acquisition: Personal property of Genshiro Kawamoto (b.1932), a Japanese real estate tycoon and avid decorative arts collector. To give an idea of both the size of the collection and the wealth Mr. Kawamoto had amassed, he purchased numerous (many 100s) of multi-million dollar homes in Hawaii, always paying cash. A string of homes he purchased for $2M-$20M each with the intent of using them as museums, (most people use storage units) just to house and display items from his extensive collection of antiques and artifacts. About 30 properties with a collective value of $200M in the Kāhala area of Honolulu he left vacant for decades, allowing them to fall into disrepair and get boarded up, attracting many complaints and media attention. Mr. Kawamoto was in the procession of building one of the most expensive homes ever built in Hawaii at the time of his arrest and subsequent deportation to his native country, Japan, where he was found guilty of tax evasion, sentenced to four years in prison and had his assets seized and auctioned off. We acquired this wonderful example from a prominent antiques dealer in Maui, Hawaii, who personally knew Mr. Kawamoto and procured this sculpture from the estate. Mythological History: The golden deer...

Fabulous hand carved & painted 40 inch tall wooden Buddha. Polychrome decorations with Gilt. Brightly colored and in prayer. Heavy and well executed. In excellent vintage condition ...

American gilt copper three masted ship weathervane with flags mounted on stand, late 19th century. Measures: 8" square at base.

Enrich your art collection with the captivating elegance of this Silvered Gilt Wood Framed Pablo Picasso Lithograph. Meticulously craft...

American gilt copper and cast iron full bodied rooster weathervane mounted on stand, Late 19th Century

Italian Faux marbleized wall-mounted console with a gilded lambs tongue egg and dart border, gilded scrolled acanthus legs, exterior and interior floral medallions, and resting on sc...

Here we have a oil on board attributed to denner circa 1730. Depicting a typical subject of his, showing the face in high detail. Would benefit from a professional clean. Which we co...

Aesthetic walnut serving cabinet, “Cherubs”, with 20 finely incised inlaid panels This is an original and beautiful handcrafted and hand incised wa...

A fabulous large Italian folk art fish sculpture. Hand-crafted in the 21st century using found 18th and 19th century architectural fragments and decorative antique / vintage elements...

This buddha is a hand-carved from wood and once occupied a temple shrine in Northern Thailand. It has been lacquered in black and red and then gilded (covered with gold leaf). There ...

American sampler under glass with the original gilt Birdseye maple frame, Early 19th Century. Alphabet and Numerals. Signed by maker Maria Nuttall Age 7.

Transport yourself to the elegance of the 19th century with this captivating Gilt Wood Framed Oil on Canvas Wreath/Flowers and Fruits Still Life Painting. Meticulously created, this ...