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Pacing Horse - Italian School, 18th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Italian School, 18th century
Pacing Horse
Bronze with brown patina, on a rectangular marble base
H 8 x L 8,5 x P 3 cm
H totale 11 cm
Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Baroque Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Corbel with an Angel Holding a Shield
- Burgundian Netherlands 15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Corbel with an Angel Holding a Shield
Franco-Flemish, Burgundian Netherlands 15th century
Limestone
On a modern metal stand
H 21 x L 16,5 x P 18,5 cm
This finely carved stone corbel,...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Belgian Gothic Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Limestone
Two bases in rare Breccia Africano and Granito Nero
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Two bases in rare Breccia Africano and Granito Nero
Cylinder in Breccia Africano
H 12.5 × D 7 cm
Cylinder in Granito Nero
H 6 × D 9 cm
These two cylindrical bases made of rare marb...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Natural Specimens
Materials
Marble
Elegant base in porfido Serpentino Antico
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Elegant fragment in porfido Serpentino Antico
19,5 x 18 x 12 cm
This beautiful fragment can be used as a base made of rare marble, ideal for displaying ancient or modern objects and...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Natural Specimens
Materials
Marble
Crab-shaped inkwell - North of Italy, 17th–18th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large Crab-shaped inkwell
North of Italy,17th–18th century,
bronze
H5 xL20x P12 cm
This finely cast bronze inkwell takes the form of a crab, showcasing the naturalistic detail and c...
Category
Antique Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
reclining lion in finely chased bronze - Italy, 15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Small reclining lion in finely chased bronze
Italy, 15th century
Traces of gilding
H 4,8 x L 6 x P 2 cm
Delicately worked bronze depicting a lion in repose, characteristic of early ...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Gothic Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
AFTER A MODEL BY GIAMBOLOGNA (1529–1608) - Pacing Bull
Located in Bruxelles, BE
AFTER A MODEL BY GIAMBOLOGNA (1529–1608)
Pacing Bull
17th century
Bronze, on an ebonised wood base
H totale 15 x L 11,5 x P 8,2 cm
Since antiquity, the bull has been venerated as ...
Category
Antique 17th Century Italian Renaissance Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Bronze salamander - 17th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Bronze salamander
Italy, 17th century
Patinated bronze
4 x 17 x 10 cm
This finely cast bronze salamander exemplifies the 17th-century fascination with naturalistic forms and animal ...
Category
Antique 17th Century Italian Renaissance Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Large Imperial Black Porphyry specimen
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Rare and Large Imperial Black Porphyry architectural fragment
partially polished,
23,5 x 15 x 12 cm
Porfido Nero is a rare Black Variety of Imperial Porphyry from Gebel Dokhan (th...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Natural Specimens
Materials
Porphyry
Circle of Pierpaolo and Jacobello Dalle Masegne (Venice, late 14th century)
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Circle of Pierpaolo and Jacobello Dalle Masegne (Venice, late 14th century)
San Bartolomeo
high relief 'en applique'
white marble
52 x 30 x 14 cm
Provenance :
Collection South of...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Gothic Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Renaissance Winged Cherub Relief
- Florence, 15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Renaissance Winged Cherub Relief
Florence, Second Half of the 15th Century
Stone with traces of polychromy
Provenance: Important private collection, Northern Italy
This exceptional...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Renaissance Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Bacchus - Southern Italy, late 17th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Bacchus
Southern Italy, late 17th century
Alabaster Sculpture
H: 20 cm
A finely carved 17th-century alabaster sculpture of a naked Bacchus. This Italian alabaster figure depicts ...
Category
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
Dutch Tobacco Jar - 19th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Dutch Tobacco Jar
Hollande, 19th century
H 18 x diameter 12 cm
Fine Georgian Dutch Tobacco Jar with beautiful patina.
Category
Antique 19th Century Dutch Georgian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Wood
Dutch Tobacco Jar - 19th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Dutch Tobacco Jar
Netherlands, 19th century
23 x 15 cm
Georgian Dutch Tobacco Jar. Made from different woods, this ring turned Jars show a very nice patina.
Category
Antique 19th Century Dutch Georgian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Fruitwood
Allegory of Africa - 16th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Flemish school of the 16th century
Allegory of Africa
After The Allegories of the Continents by Maerten de Vos (engraving by Adriaen Collaert)
Oil on copper
Inscription: "Giulio Ro...
Category
Antique 16th Century Belgian Renaissance Paintings
Materials
Copper
The Martyrdom of Santa Barbara - Bruges, 1530-50
Located in Bruxelles, BE
The Martyrdom of Santa Barbara
Wool and silk tapestry
Bruges, 1530-50
270 x 198 cm
Expertise by Professor Guy Delmarcel
This Flemish tapestry is a remarkable example of 16th-century craftsmanship, distinguished by its exceptionally well-preserved color palette.
The medaillon-shaped center stands out against a background of dark blue roses and acanthus leaves. It depicts the martyrdom of Saint Barbara, identified by the tower where she was imprisoned. According to legend, her father, Dioscorus, is about to behead her with a scimitar, while an angel descends from the heavens to strike him with lightning.
At the bottom, beneath Saint Barbara, two fantastical creatures. On the left is a griffon depicted with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. On the right is a creature with the body of a leopard, the head of an elephant adorned in a fancy blue cloak. Both animals face each other standing either side of a green hill top in the middle of the tapestry.
The lavish scene of the tapestry is framed by a border which is embellished with foliage, flowers and fantastical elephant heads in blue and white on a red background. The corners and center of the edges display goldsmith-objects. The vibrant brick-red colour and striking bluish-green leaves create a stunning visual impact, showcasing the outstanding state of conservation.
Professor Guy Delmarcel connects this tapestry to a series of textiles produced in Bruges after 1530, characterized by their fantastical nature scenes populated with imaginative creatures. Most feature similar roses and acanthus-leaves as well as other vegetation, with wild animals appearing ready to attack. Two almost identical pieces preserved at the Art Institute of Chicago (Bruges, 336 x 599 cm) and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam ("Tournai," 285 x 490 cm) serve as prime examples. The entire surface is filled with greenery, along with birds and fantastic animals.
This tapestry exemplifies the rich decorative style of the time, merging naturalistic and poetic elements with exotic animals that spark the imagination.
Other works of this type follow the theme of the "Closed Garden." In the lower register, fantastical creatures occasionally appear, as seen in the exquisite Bruges Tapestry displayed at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, and in the example from the Burrell Collection in Glasgow. The Parisian tapestry from Bruges features a mythical animal in the lower register, dressed in blue fabric, which closely resembles the animal in our tapestry.
If Enghien or other centers produced similar pieces, several elements suggest a stronger connection to Bruges for two formal reasons:
The overall colour-palette of our tapestry fabric characterized by pronounced brick-red colours and bluish-green leaves, aligns more closely with Bruges than with Tournai or Enghien.
The intricate border design with the warm brick-red background, adorned with floral motifs, goldsmith-inspired elements such as incense burners and small bells, can be traced back to Bruges around 1530. This style, often associated with heraldic imagery, underscores the tapestry's connection to the city's rich artistic heritage. A comparable example is the tapestry featuring the Arms of Paolo Giovio, now part of the Prince of Liechtenstein's collection in Vaduz. This piece, set against a brick-red background, depicts arms and armors, cornucopias, boys riding grotesque dolphins, as well as various flowers and leaves.
All available literature dates this group of tapestries to the second quarter of the sixteenth century. A key formal element further supports this dating: the executioner, depicted preparing to behead Barbara, wields a Turkish scimitar, a reference to the frequent Ottoman incursions into Central Europe beginning with the 1529 siege of Vienna...
Category
Antique 16th Century Belgian Renaissance Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Silk
Followers of Jean de la Huerta, Jean de Blany ? - Saint Jerome
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Followers of Jean de la Huerta, Jean de Blany ?
Saint Jerome
Limestone
Burgundy, second half of the15th century
60,5 cm
ALR Ref : S00248050
This exquisite sculpture of Saint Jerome, carved from soft, nearly white limestone typical of eastern France, exemplifies the exceptional craftsmanship of 15th-century Burgundian art. The figure of Saint Jerome, a key figure in Christian history renowned for translating the Bible into Latin, is depicted wearing a cardinal’s hat and holding the Vulgate Bible...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier French Renaissance Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Limestone
Veneto- Saracenic candlestick - 15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Veneto- Saracenic candlestick
Engraved bronze
15th century
13 x 8,5 cm
This rare candlestick exemplify exquisite craftsmanship, featuring a bell-shaped base with a flared foot adorn...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Renaissance Chandeliers and Pen...
Materials
Bronze
Veneto- Saracenic candlestick - 15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Veneto- Saracenic candlestick
Engraved bronze
15th century
12,5 x 6,2 cm
This rare candlestick exemplify exquisite craftsmanship, featuring a bell-shaped base with a flared foot ado...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Renaissance Chandeliers and Pen...
Materials
Bronze
Renaissance grotesque in the shape of a half-moon - France, 17th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large grotesque in the shape of a half-moon
On a posterior cement base
Limestone
France, 17th century
72 x 42 x 51 cm
Category
Antique 17th Century French Renaissance Statues
Materials
Limestone
Egyptian Fragment of a Seated Man - Ancient Egypt, 26th Dynasty (664-525 BC)
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Egyptian Fragment of a Seated Man
Limestone - polychromy
Ancient Egypt, 26th Dynasty (664-525 BC)
Most likely from the tomb of Montw-m-H3t
Provenanc...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Egyptian Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Limestone
Roman Lion's Protome - Gallo-Roman, 2nd century AD/3rd century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Roman Lion's Protome
Sandstone
Gallo-Roman, 2nd century AD - 3rd century
Provenance : Private Collection Prof. Giesen (Konstanz on Bodensee), pré 1945
Most likely from the Chateau a...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier German Classical Roman Animal Sculptures
Materials
Sandstone
Canaanite Anthropoid Coffin Lid - 12th-10th century BC
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Rare Canaanite Anthropoid Coffin Lid
Terra Cotta
12th – 10th Century BC
Provenance:
Public Auction Paris (2022)
Private Collection F. Antonovich (Paris – 1980s)
Art Loss Register...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Israeli Archaistic Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Two rare Figures in Turkish Attire - Venice, early 17th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Rare Bronzes Depicting two Figures in Turkish Attire
Possibly Suleiman the Magnificent at two different ages
bronzes, alabaster bases
Venice, early 17th century
19,5 x 6 x 5 cm
These two rare bronze statuettes represent two figures dressed in elaborate "Turkish" attire. They are mounted on alabaster bases with bronze reliefs—one featuring the winged lion of Venice, and the other possibly symbolizing Turkey with a wolf depiction.
One figure wears a grand külah, a spherical turban with a cone top, signifying royal authority, while the other has a wrapped turban, denoting rank and religious identity. Their garments are richly detailed with intricate engravings, suggesting luxurious fabrics of the Ottoman court.
The statuettes may represent Suleiman the Magnificent at two different stages of life, as both young and old. The sultan depicted alongside the winged lion corresponds to a description from a Venetian delegate in 1534, when Suleiman was 43. At that time, he had conquered Iraq from the Safavids and achieved a decisive victory over the Papal fleet at the Battle of Preveza. He was described as having large eyes, an aquiline nose, and long red mustaches—traits visible in Cristofano dell'Altissimo’s portrait of Suleiman in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
Unlike Mehmed II, who commissioned portraits by European artists for diplomatic purposes, Suleiman did not directly order such representations. Instead, his likeness spread through works by artists like Albrecht Dürer, based on sketches made by diplomats. Following his capture of Belgrade in 1521, his victory over Hungary in 1526, and his siege of Vienna...
Category
Antique 17th Century Italian Renaissance Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Circle of Pietro Cavallini - St. Bartholomew - 14th century Fresco
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Circle of Pietro Cavallini (Rome, 1250–1330)
St. Bartholomew
Fresco transferred onto canvas
Umbria, 14th century
66.5 x 40 cm
Provenance:
Collection of Raymond Van Marle (The Hagu...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Medieval Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Plaster
Head of a crowned Virgin - Lorraine, first half of 14th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Head of a crowned Virgin
Lorraine, first half of 14th century.
H26 x 14 x 14 cm
Provenance :
- Private Collection, Paris France (1960)
Private Collection Tuscany, Italy (1980)
Ex...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier French Gothic Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Limestone
Bolognese School of the 16th Century - Mummy of Saint Catherine of Bologna
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Bolognese School of the 16th Century
Mummy of Saint Catherine of Bologna
Oil on Panel
20,5 x 7 x 0,8 cm
This rare painting depicts Saint Catherine of Bologna as a mummy, housed in a ...
Category
Antique 16th Century Italian Renaissance Paintings
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
double capital - french, end of 13th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Double capital with hook decorations
Grey stone
France, 13th century
Reduced—cut in the back in modern times
H 22 x L 41 x P 20 cm
'Hook' is the name given today to these ornamen...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier French Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
Kapati textile - Epoque Byzantine; 4th–5th Century C.E
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Kapati Textile
Byzantine Period; 4th–5th Century C.E.
Materials: Plant and Animal Fibers, Wool
9,5 x 9,5 cm
This woolen fabric is woven in the traditional Coptic Kapati style, characteristic of Egypt during the Christian era. The name "Kapati" refers to the Copts of Egypt and describes a weaving technique that does not use embroidery or printing. It is said that Al-Muqawqis, the governor of Egypt, offered the Prophet garments made from Kapati fabric.
At the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, the French archaeologist Albert Gayet showcased the results of his excavations from the winter of 1898-1899. Around one hundred Coptic textiles and fragments were displayed at the Palais du Costume. Their aesthetic generated considerable enthusiasm, particularly among artists like Auguste Rodin and Henri Matisse. This led to a "Coptomania," which, among other things, influenced fashion designers.
The square fragment features black decoration on a beige background; the two squares at the center are separated by scalloped edges, from which hang various ornaments or geometric motifs. At the center of the fragment is an image of a dancing figure surrounded by geometric decorations. This piece dates back to a time when ancient...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Egyptian Antiquities
Materials
Wool, Natural Fiber
Coptic textile Byzantine Period; 4th–5th Century C.E.
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Coptic textile
Byzantine Period; 4th–5th Century C.E.
Materials: linen, Wool
23 x 16 cm
This fragment features black decorations on a beige background, depicting human figures with...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Egyptian Antiquities
Materials
Wool, Linen
French topographic embossed map in three dimensions of ancient Jerusalem - 19th
Located in Bruxelles, BE
French topographic embossed map in three dimensions of Ancient Jerusalem
19th century
wood and hand-coloured plaster
10,5 x 43 x 58 cm
Provenance : Private collection UK
Wood and ...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Belle Époque Models and Miniatures
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Wool Tapestry from Egypt
- 5th–7th Century C.E.
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Wool Tapestry from Egypt
Late Antique Period; 5th–7th Century C.E.
This band fragment features geometric decorations in red and black.
Textiles like this are believed to have been...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Egyptian Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Christ - Umbria, second half of the 15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Christ
Umbria, Orvieto?
Second half of the 15th century
77 x 16.5 cm
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Renaissance Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Vittorio Amadio - two African Masks, 2004
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Vittorio Amadio (Italy, 1934)
African Masks
Acrylic on canvas
Signed on the back, 2004
30 x 40 cm
Authenticity certificate
Vittorio Amadio experiments with non-form as an essenti...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
17th century apothecary's ivory mortar - Indo-Portuguese
Located in Bruxelles, BE
17th century apothecary's ivory mortar
Apothecary's ivory mortar 9
Indo-Portuguese
17th century
Cites certificate number IT/CE/2023/MI/01108
11 x 9,5 cm
Category
Antique 17th Century Indian Renaissance Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ivory
Child Jesus - Umbria, first half of the 16th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Child Jesus
Polychrome and gilded wood
Umbria, first half of the 16th century
H 40 cm
Entirely naked, the Child is standing, leaning on his left leg, his right leg forward; he keep...
Category
Antique 16th Century Italian Renaissance Religious Items
Materials
Wood
large apothecary's ivory mortar - 17th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large apothecary's ivory mortar
Indo-Portuguese
17th century
16,7 x 10,4 cm
Cites certificate number 2022/BE01446/CE
Category
Antique 17th Century Indian Renaissance Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ivory
Walnut Table "a lira" - Tuscany, 17th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Walnut Table "a lira" - Tuscany, XVII century
Table “a lira”
Walnut
Tuscany, XVIIth century
71 X 90 X 49,5 cm
Beautiful patina.
Category
Antique 17th Century Italian Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Renaissance relief - Italy, probably Rome, 16th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Renaissance relief depicting two female figures dressed in a chiton
Italy, probably Rome, 16th century
Marble, wooden frame (provenance label on the back)
28 x 20 x 5 cm
This beau...
Category
Antique 16th Century Italian Renaissance Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Marble
17th century apothecary's ivory mortar and pestle - Germany
Located in Bruxelles, BE
large 17th century turned apothecary's ivory mortar and pestle
Germany
17th century
Cites certificate number IT/CE/2023/MI/01110
18,6 x 7 cm ; pestl...
Category
Antique 17th Century German Renaissance Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ivory
Paolo di Giovanni Sogliani - Processional Cross Florence, around 1515
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Paolo di Giovanni Sogliani (Florence 1455-1522)
Processional Cross
Florence, around 1515
Enameled, chiseled, engraved, stippled, and gilded copper; wooden core ; Inscription: "OPA...
Category
Antique 16th Century Italian Renaissance Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Renaissance Marble Portrait - Northern Italy, 17th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Renaissance Marble Portrait
Northern Italy, 17th century, inspired by antiquity
Marble
36 x 13 cm (including the marble pedestal)
This Renaissance portrait head of a young man, sl...
Category
Antique 17th Century Italian Renaissance Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Pair of Gothic Columns - Italy, 14th-15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Rare pair of Gothic Columns - Olivetani
Marble
Italy, 14th - 15th century
Heraldic shields on the capitals of the Order of the Olivetani
H 220 et 225 cm x W 25 x D 25 cm
H 86 2/3 & 8...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Gothic Architectural Elements
Materials
Marble
Vintage coat rack and umbrella stand - Italy, '70
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Vintage Coat rack and umbrella stand in leather and steel with integrated light
Leather and steel
Italy, ’70
172 x 42 x 41 cm
The coat rack features 5 hooks and space for storing um...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Coat Racks and Stands
Materials
Steel
17th century wood and black marble table - North of Italy
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Walnut and marble table
North of Italy, 17th century
Wood and black marble
H 80,5 x L 114 x P 58 cm
This elegant table features a one single solid marble top directly mounted on f...
Category
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Side Tables
Materials
Marble
Marble capital carved with acanthus leaves - Apulia, 13th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Marble capital carved with acanthus leaves
Southern Italy, Apulia
13th century
28,5 x 53,5 x 12,5 cm
This wedge-shape capital decorated with acanthus leaves and roses is character...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Marble
Large Medieval carved frieze - France, 14th-15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Gothic Limestone frieze decorated with curly foliage
North of France, 14th-15th century
59,8 x 15,6x 22 cm
This French Gothic limestone frieze, adorned with curling foliage, stands ...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier French Medieval Architectural Elements
Materials
Limestone
Renaissance Marble Relief - Emilia Romagna, 1470-80
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Renaissance Marble Relief
Emilia Romagna, Faenza ? 1470-80
H 30,2 x L 33 x P 3,5 cm
The carved marble relief depicts the Virgin accompanied by a winge...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Renaissance Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Grand Tour Cinerarium - 18th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
18th century Grand Tour Cinerarium
Limestone, inlaid with Roman marble fragments and fresco's
Annotation of finding spot indistinctively written on the fragments ("forum trajan","for...
Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Grand Tour Urns
Materials
Limestone, Marble
Large Cast and Chiseled Bronze Plaque - Saint Sebastian, Rome 17th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large Cast and Chiseled Bronze Plaque
Saint Sebastian after the model by Guido Reni (Capitoline Museum)
Rome, 17th century
Large rectangular bronze plaque depicting the martyrdom of...
Category
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Rare pastiglia marriage chest - North of Italy, First half of 15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Rare pastiglia marriage chest
North of Italy, Liguria or Piemonte
First half of 15th century
wood, gesso, partly gilded, form molded and painted
67 x 156 x 63 cm
Provenance :
Pri...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Renaissance Blanket Chests
Materials
Gesso, Wood
Gothic crowned Head - Île de France, 14th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Head of a crowned Virgin
Île-de-France, first half of 14th century.
H26 x 14 x 14 cm
Provenance :
- Private Collection, Paris France (1960)
- Private Collection Tuscany, Italy (19...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier French Gothic Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Attributed to Domenico di Paris - Madonna and The Child, 15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Attributed to Domenico di Paris, also called Domenico del Cavallo ( Monselice, documented in Ferrara between 1442 and 1501)
Madonna and The Child
Polychromed and gilded Stucco
47,5 ...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Renaissance Wall-mounted Sculpt...
Materials
Stucco
Venus Pudica (Medici-type) - 18th century, Italy
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Monumental sculpture representing the Venus Pudica (Medici-type)
18th Century
Italian (Rome)
White marble
Based on a model from Antiquity, the Medici Venus, currently in the Uffizi ...
Category
Antique Early 18th Century Italian Grand Tour Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Romanesque Telamon - Northern Italy, late 12th (Reemployed Roman marble)
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Telamon
Northern Italy, late 12th - early 13th century
Reemployed Roman marble
H 32 x L 18 x P 17 cm
« Sono coloro che hanno dimenticato che l’uomo é solo un bruco, destinato a dive...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Embriachi workshop marquetry casket - Northern Italy, 15th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Embriachi workshop marquetry casket
Northern Italy, 15th century
Alla certosina inlays (bone, stained bone, pewter and wood)
H 28.2 x W 18 x D 14 cm
This beautiful casket of rectangular form is richly decorated with the characteristic geometric patterns of the Embriachi style.
The intricate geometric patterns are fashioned by juxtaposing lighter and darker pieces of wood, (colored) bone, horn and pewter. The lid and base are framed by a broad band of horn. When ivory became scarce in Europe due to disrupted trade routes, bone was substituted.
The attention to Symmetry and balance created an harmonious visual effect
Enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the casket.
The application of geometrical motifs is in Italy known as marquetry ‘alla Certosina’, named after the Certosina Church in Pavia with its famous altarpiece decorated in this way. This is ‘intarsia technique’, a term derived from the Arabic 'tarsi', which means ‘incrustation' recalling ancient mosaics made from various materials.
These geometric elements not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the caskets but also demonstrate the versatility and skill of the artisans in creating multifaceted works of art.
‘Alla Certosina’ became famous through the Northern Italian Embriachi family who achieved a particularly high standard in working in this technique. Venice in particular was known for the production of these luxurious boxes. The caskets, hexagonal or rectangular, surmounted by a lid decorated in several registers constitute the secular, albeit equally renowned component of the workshop’s production, in addition to mirror frames and various everyday objects.
The method of fabrication of those objects was based on two concepts that underlay pre-industrial production: standardization and modularity, thanks to a distribution of skills according to the different phases of fabrication.
even the realization of the marquetry motifs (in the form of ingots from which portions of the desired size were cut) were therefore entrusted to various specialized craftsmen, as were the assembly phase.
Today better known thanks to the extensive research work recently carried out by Michele Tomasi, this workshop owes its name to its founder and owner, the Florentine Baldassare Ubriachi (or degli Embriachi), a merchant and banker established in the Tuscan capital before he settled in Venice in 1395. Together with sculptor Giovanni di Jacopo, who directed the workshop, from the last years of the fourteenth century, Baldassare oversaw a production that was truly original, and still easily recognizable today, comprising monumental altarpieces and various objects, primarily triptychs and caskets.
The precise location of the workshop is unknown, except that it originated in Florence and in ca. 1431 there was apparently a workshop in Venice, in the area of S Luca. They employed local workers specializing in 'certosina' (inlay of stained woods, bone and horn), and the workshop produced items carved in bone (usually horse or ox) with wood and bone marquetry.
The geometric decoration of Embriachi caskets reflects the artistic complexity and attention to detail that characterized their work.
this inlaid casket is a testament to the skill and artistry of the Embriachi family and serves as a stunning example of the decorative arts of the late Middle Ages.
Related Literature :
E. Berger, Prunk-Kassetten: Europäischen Meisterwerke aus acht Jahrhunderten / Ornamental Caskets...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Renaissance Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pewter
Group of Altarpiece - Antwerpen, 16th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Group of altarpiece representing the life of a Saint, Saint Renualde?
Engraved by the sign of Antwerp hand on the hat of the central character
Carved oak, traces of polychromy
Fir...
Category
Antique 16th Century Belgian Renaissance Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Oak
renaissance wooden candelabrum and painted cross - Umbria, 16th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Base of a carved wooden candelabrum, polychrome and gilded; cross painted on both sides.
Umbria or Tuscany, 16th century
136 x 43,5 x 30 cm
(The cross and the base of the candelabrum were later assembled)
The base of the candelabrum is intricately carved and adorned with polychrome and gilded finishes. The shafts take on the shape of balusters reminiscent of ancient columns, feature ornate foliage decorations, garlands and winged cherub faces. The feet are crafted in the likeness of lion paws. The base is further embellished with depictions of four saint martyrs, among them Saint Barbara and Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The plasticity of the figures, outlined with strong contour lines, the clear and vibrant colors, are stylistic elements linked to the Umbrian tradition of the sixteenth century.The precisely defined and elegant drawing, along with the clear color palette applied with refined chiaroscuro modulations, became the signature of a style that would leave a lasting mark on the era to come. This is exemplified by a preference for vibrant, multicolored images, accentuated in this case by the use of red and pink in the saint's attire.
A notable addition, introduced later, is a polylobed cross painted on both sides. On one side, the Crucifixion is vividly portrayed:The treatment of the corpus itself is in line with High Medieval practice, emphasizing pathos by showing Jesus dead, his arms sagging from the weight of the body. The upper section displaying a pelican pecks at her breast to feed her young with her own blood; a symbol of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross whose body and blood similarly nourishes the celebrant during Mass.
The lower part depicts Golgotha. On the reverse side, the Resurrection is artistically presented in a Renaissance iconography, reminiscent of the renowned composition painted by Piero della Francesca, now housed in the Civic Museum of Sansepolcro. In terms of composition, with the frontal depiction of Christ holding the banner, this motif became particularly widespread in central Italy, spanning from Tuscany to Umbria throughout the 16th century..
The double-sided construction suggests that it may also have been carried in liturgical processions. In Umbria from the 14th century, the use of portable crosses painted on both sides had become a widespread practice, aimed at satisfying the monastic clientele that had significantly increased following the establishment of new religious communities.
The earliest surviving Tuscan painted crucifix represent Christ as Christus Triumphans, or the “Triumphant Christ” with his head up and eyes open. This form was supplanted in the 13th century with the Christus Patiens, or “Suffering Christ” type who is shown often with his head fallen on his shoulder and his eyes closed, as In our cross. The iconography of the suffering Christ appears to have developed out of a new interest in Christ’s human nature, the development of the feast of Corpus Christi and with increased importance given to the Eucharist. The process of humanizing the figure of Christ reaches its peak with the abandonment of all the previous expressive conventions in favor of more realistic details we can observe in this Crucifix, such as the swollen belly, the arms stretched to the limit of muscle tearing, the body falling heavily forward, the abundant blood on
the wounds, and the cross firmly embedded in the rock of Calvary.
It's worth noting that Renaissance candelabra...
Category
Antique 16th Century Italian Renaissance Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Cercle of Jacopo della Pila - Marble relief depicting a winged Cherub
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Cercle of Jacopo della Pila (Lombard, in Naples 1471-1502)
Marble relief depicting a winged Cherub
Naples, second half of15th century
40 x 57 x 12 cm
Exquisitely carved, this relief portrays a winged cherub with cascading hair and delicate features. The cherub's plump, smooth countenance, rounded cheeks, outlined lips, and finely drawn nose emanate a sense of tenderness. The quadrangular module, is adorned with a carved frame. The relief ascends gradually, transitioning from the low relief of the wings to the high relief of the head.
The rectangular frame and the subtly curved form of the artwork suggest that the relief likely adorned the upper part of an arch or a vaulted chapel. The type is that of the perspective room with a coffered ceiling decorated with figures of winged cherubs, which is found in various Neapolitan chapels of the 15th century. Coffered ceilings attest to the recovery of antiquity and the search for luxury in Renaissance architecture, first in Florence, then in Rome and Naples. The majority of the numerous family chapels and tombs built during the late fifteenth century in south of Italy employ the new formal vocabulary of the Florentine Renaissance in a self-confident manner that permitted a broad spectrum of variations.
The escalating admiration for the classical world, coupled with the development of perspective, significantly contributed to the Renaissance endorsement of coffered ceilings. This artistic and constructive device drew inspiration from the intricate marble patterns observed in historical landmarks such as the Arch of Titus, the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, the Pantheon, and the Basilica of Maxentius. A distilled product of both mathematical and artistic cultures, deeply scrutinizing the ancient world, the coffered ceiling plays a vital role in the perspective construction of space with its regular and directional geometry. The motif of the coffered ceiling decorated with cherubs in relief was introduced in Naples by Francesco Laurana in the plastic decoration of the Arch of Castelnuovo. Laurana's impact on the art scene in the south of Italy was profound. The introduction of the winged cherub into the region's artistic vocabulary bridged the gap between the classical and the contemporary, creating a synthesis that resonated with both aesthetic and spiritual sensibilities. His influence extended beyond the immediate visual appeal, shaping the cultural identity of the Renaissance in southern Italy. Although the plastic decoration of the Arch of Castelnuovo cannot certainly be ascribed to a mature Renaissance style, it was precisely on this occasion that the sculptors who worked there could get to know and export throughout the Italian peninsula that type of "Florentine classicism" which, even in the 15th century Naples, was conditioned by the Burgundian culture imported into the Kingdom by Alfonso of Aragon himself, with artists called from Spain and Northern Europe. The coffered ceiling, with its geometric patterns and Laurana's winged cherubs nestled within, became a symbol of refinement and cultural sophistication. The relief sculptures, carefully integrated into the overall design, transformed the ceiling into a celestial realm, inviting viewers to contemplate the divine while immersed in the grandeur of the Renaissance space.
Similar winged cherubs appears also in the Naples cathedral. Within the renowned Succorpo Chapel, a mesmerizing marble coffered ceiling adorned with cherubs epitomizes the splendor of the Neapolitan Renaissance. The interplay of light and shadow on the textured surface of the marble coffered ceiling introduces an ethereal dimension, providing an immersive visual experience for observers. The geometric precision and the repeated patterns, reminiscent of classical motifs, establish a sense of harmony and balance that has become the hallmark of the Neapolitan interpretation of Florentine Renaissance aesthetics.
Although probably intended to be admired from a distance, this cherub is intricately detailed and exquisitely rendered: the face and hair are elegantly outlined and the feathers are textured through juxtaposed lines. The marble, both figurative and decorative, adheres to the principles of balance and restrained ornamentation typical of the « Florentine Classicism ». Harmonious shapes and gracefully orchestrated curves , rooted in the classical repertoire, converge to evoke a sense of ethereal beauty. The surface displays the masterful use of a chisel to intricately carve the feathers and facial features, creating an almost abstract quality.
This work is a testament to a sculptor of great skill and rich figurative knowledge, seamlessly blending classical firmness in contours with a refined treatment of the marble's surface. The combination of tradition and innovation point to a stylistic idiom from Lombardy, in particular we can find some comparaisons with the works of Jacopo della Pila, sculptor of Lombard origin working in Naples in the second half of the 15th century. He is documented there between 1471 and 1502, and is a protagonist of the Aragon Renaissance in the second half of the Quattrocento, together with the other great Northern sculptor active in the kingdom, Domenico Gagini.
the first commission he received dates back to August 9, 1471, when Jacopo publicly committed to sculpting the funerary monument of Archbishop Nicola Piscicelli to be placed in the Cathedral of Salerno. The last known work is an altar ordered on July 29, 1502, by the noble Jacopo Rocco for the church of San Lorenzo Maggiore in Naples. Between these two chronological extremes (1471-1502), we must place the fervent activity of the artist, who had trained in Rome, perhaps under the guidance of Paolo Romano but also engaged in dialogue with other major artists of the city, especially Isaia da Pisa. He enriched his experience in Naples, initially drawing inspiration from the works of Domenico Gagini and later from the Tuscan masterpieces of Antonio Rossellino and Benedetto da Maiano destined for the church of Santa Maria di Monteoliveto. Jacopo della Pila's artistic personality is thus based on a complex interplay of influences, contributing to the definition of a highly personal style.
Close comparaison can be made between our cherub and the winged angels reliefs...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Renaissance Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Two cylindrical colored marble specimens
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Two cylindrical specimens in Breccia Skyros Marble or Settebassi
Those two cylindrical specimens are perfect to serve as bookends or to presents works o...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Classical Roman Bookends
Materials
Breccia Marble