M.S. Rau Decorative Objects

Tall Fuchsia Vase Daum Nancy Circa 1900 This monumental Daum Nancy vase is a masterwork of Art Nouveau glassmaking, created around the turn of the centur...

Bronze Elephant and Tigers Genryusai Seiya 19th century This extraordinary bronze sculpture by Genryusai Seiya, a master of the Meiji period, depicts a breathtaking battle between a...

Exemplary of Art Nouveau elegance, the sensuous female form is the focus of this Viennese bronze by Austrian sculptor Carl Kauba (1865 - 1922). The intricately detailed bronze captures the supple form of an exotic Nubian dancer in a true representation of the era’s predominant aesthetic. Both classical and evocative, the nude figure is adorned by an array of bronze jewelry, including a stunning golden belt with chained pendants. Set upon a marble base, she is a stunning example of the erotic bronzes popular at the turn of the century. Born in 1865 to a shoemaker, the Vienna-born Kauba became a well-known early 20th-century sculptor of Native Americans and other western figures. A pupil of Carl Waschmann and Stefan Schwartz in Austria, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna and traveled widely in the American West, sketching and modeling, after spending two years in Paris. He is also noted for his "Naughties" - a collection of mechanical push button sculptures...

Crafted by the celebrated French glassmaker René Lalique, this exquisite Danaides vase is one of the master artisan's most unique and beautiful designs. Molded from polished opalesce...

Abstracted foliage swirls to form this Lalique vase in the Acanthes design, first designed by René Lalique on February 28, 1927. Inspired by the timeless natural motif, this vase emb...

An important pair of Old Paris platinum-ground and gilt-trimmed porcelain vases with classical figures on each of the panels. Excellent condition. Circa 1...

A pair of putti holding symbols of the harvest adorn this Meissen porcelain figural group entitled Fall. Part of the company's Seasons series, these charming characters rest upon a r...

A lovely Limoges enamel vase featuring a handsome gentleman in richly appointed period costume. Excellent condition. Circa 1900.

Emperor Napoleon III's Silver-Gilt Library Lamp Alexis Falize Circa 1865 This extraordinary silver-gilt library lamp was custom-made for Emperor Napoleon III by the renowned jeweler...

Odysseus and Theseus French Empire Mantel Clock André Antoine Ravrio Circa 1800 This monumental Empire mantel clock by André Antoine Ravrio, whose case is crafted entirely of gilded...

Of all the glassworks produced in the late 19th century, cameo glass was the most challenging to perfect. Only a handful of artisans succeeded in mastering this intricate craft, with...

This resplendent French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock features an extraordinarily detailed scene of a singing troubadour with his lyre along a rocky river bank. Accompanied by a wi...

Exquisitely crafted of bronze ormolu, these rare twin candelabra exhibit the Neoclassical grandeur of the Louis XVI style. Two brushed-bronze putti holding spears support the five-li...

This rare and significant cameo glass vase exemplifies the exceptional craftsmanship of George Woodall, a master artist celebrated for his outstanding skill in cameo carving. The amp...

This extraordinary First Edition Wedgwood rendering of the legendary Portland Vase is one of the rarest masterpieces of Josiah Wedgwood, the most important ceramics manufacturer of the 18th century. A tour de force of ceramic art, the Portland Vase First Editions are regarded as one of the greatest ceramic accomplishments of the 18th century, and they are a testament to the superior skill of Josiah Wedgwood, his extraordinary ambition and his tireless dedication to perfection. One of the very few First Editions still in private hands, this exceptional Wedgwood Portland Vase is one of the most important works of ceramics on the market. The story of Wedgwood and the Portland Vase is legendary. The original Portland Vase is the ancient world's most famous decorative arts masterpiece—a cameo glass vase dating to circa 25 CE with a frieze representing the myth of Peleus and Thetis, initially thought to be carved from stone. When it was first rediscovered around 1582, it captivated the world with its opaque white cameo figures over its rich blue background. After the vase was excavated it was owned by Cardinal Barberini, whose family later sold it to the Duke of Hamilton who eventually sold it to the Duchess of Portland, from whom the famed vase now takes its name. The famed British sculptor John Flaxman was likely the first to have brought the vase to Wedgwood’s attention. In a letter dated February 5, 1784, he wrote: “I wish you may soon come to town to see William Hamilton’s vase, it is the finest production of Art that has been brought to England and seems to be the very apex of perfection to which you are endeavouring to bring your bisque and jasper…” Indeed, the Portland Vase is a masterpiece of cameo-cutting, with a stunning frieze of opaque white cameo glass over its translucent deep blue form. Its beauty and translucence would inspire Wedgwood to undertake his years-long endeavor to precisely replicate the original in porcelain. Upon closer examination, Wedgwood realized the vase was not made of stone or earthenware, but of cameo glass—a technique so advanced it remains the masterpiece of cameo-cutting. Today, the vase is housed in the British Museum, where it is the second most viewed antiquity, only after the Rosetta Stone. It then took Wedgwood several painstaking years to craft his unparalleled copy of the vase, during which he perfected the jasperware technique that would become his crowning achievement. To this day, the renowned porcelain firm regards the vase as its most momentous triumph, so much so that the vessel’s silhouette is incorporated into the Wedgwood logo. The four years it took Wedgwood to complete his vase were not without tribulations. From the start, Wedgwood encountered numerous problems with his copies, from cracking and blistering to the difficulty of replicating the translucent effects of the original. The first acceptable copy was produced in October 1789 and sent to Wedgwood’s physician and friend Erasmus Darwin, the grandfather of Charles Darwin. Wedgwood presented another copy to Queen Charlotte in May 1790 and afterward organized a private exhibition of the vase at the Portland House in London. The viewing proved so popular that Wedgwood was forced to restrict the show to 1,900 visitors. Much of London wished to see Wedgwood’s greatest major achievement. Perhaps the highest praise of Wedgwood’s copy came from the famed artist Sir Joshua Reynolds, the founder of the British Royal Academy: “I can venture to declare it a correct and faithful imitation, both in regard to the general effect, and the most minute detail of the part.” Over the next few years, Wedgwood's oven records listed 43 First Edition copies of the Portland Vase produced between 1791 and 1796, 11 of which were broken during the firing process. In all, it is believed around 30 First Edition vases were completed, though an unknown number of these were somewhat damaged—one of these imperfect examples is currently held by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The perfect examples such as ours have found their way into the most important museum collections in the world. The British Museum (London), Art Institute of Chicago, Birmingham Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts (Boston) and the Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge, UK), among others, all hold one of these highly coveted vases in their collections. In terms of technical achievement, the First Edition Portland Vases...

Of all the glassworks created in the second half of the 19th century, the most difficult to perfect were those done in cameo. Very few artisans ever achieved success in hand-crafting...

This remarkable art glass Lava style vase is a part of Loetz’s Phaenomen Genre 377, the remarkable collection unveiled at the Paris World Exhibition of 1900. The Crete color variatio...

Of all the glassworks created in the second half of the 19th century, the most difficult to perfect were those done in cameo. Very few artisans ever achieved success in hand-crafting...

Henry Dasson used grey granite from the famed Aswan quarries in Egypt to craft this pair of rare and important urns. Aswan was the location from which ancient Egyptian builders quarried the rare granite used...

This magnificent French Empire ormolu mantel clock features the iconic Neoclassical genre scene often referred to as "The Astronomy Lesson." A popular motif during this period, Emper...

This minute repeater carriage clock by the esteemed Cartier is a masterpiece of luxury and craftsmanship created circa 1900. Finished in gold, diamon...

This extraordinary glass vessel hails from the illustrious Roman empire, likely from Italy, dating to the mid-1st to 2nd century CE. It is exceptionally rare to find such a large and...

This 18th-century gilt bronze & Egitto Serpentino urn is modeled after the opulent design of one of the last gilders of the Versailles Court, Pierre Gouthière. An identical urn is he...

Designed by René Lalique in 1921, this Ronces pattern vase features a bold array of winding blackberry vines. The vessel highlights the master's love of the striking forms and natura...

This artful and unique automaton clock and music box house proudly bears the signature of Geneva, a hallmark of unparalleled horological excellence. For generations, Geneva has seamlessly merged traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, setting the standard for luxury timepieces. Adorned with delicate hand-painted details, this exquisite cottage exudes provincial charm. Intricate floral motifs and ivy vines gracefully ascend its façade, drawing onlookers into this detailed masterpiece. A couple stands in the doorway, meticulously carved to exude the height of style and grace. In the style of the iconic cuckoo clock, a distinguished gentleman, adorned with a pipe and cane, emerges from the balcony doors...

A spectacular feat of engineering and artistry, this 19th-century skeleton clock was created by John Smith & Sons of Clerkenwell. The Clerkenwell Borough of Central London has for al...

The bodies of this exquisite pair of Louis XVI-style cassolettes, along with a complementary clock, are crafted from exceptional specimens of white marble, each measuring almost a fo...

This delightful porcelain and enamel box perfectly exemplifies the esteemed French Limoges tradition. It features a meticulously hand-applied pink and blue floral scene against a bro...

This remarkable acid-etched vase is the work of the famed Art Nouveau master Émile Gallé, one of the most highly regarded names in French glassmaking. The artist's love of nature is ...

Bearing a cipher mark from 1856, this mid-19th-century centerpiece stands as a crowning achievement of the esteemed firm Minton & Co. This accomplishment of such grand scale in ceram...

This silver, gold and niello inlaid topographical snuffbox is a masterpiece of Russian silver. Almost owned by a wealthy 19th-century tradesman, this extraordinary creation shares a ...

Iridescent swirls adorn this rare Candia Silberiris tree trunk vase from the renowned 19th-century art glass firm Loetz. Crafted in a sensuous, organic...

Blending natural wonder and artistic prowess, this magnificent pair of cassolettes is a symphony of craftsmanship. The intricate gilt bronze decor, only made possible by the finest c...

Incredible hand-painted scenes inspired by Rococo master Antoine Watteau cover this magnificent Meissen porcelain box. Displaying romantic courts...

Seven resplendent Sèvres porcelain plaques surround this magnificent doré bronze box. The bright floral motif on the plaques perfectly matches the intr...

Crafted entirely with an exceptionally detailed enamel technique known as pliqué-à-jour, this French box is a luxurious objet d'art. Exhibiting a subtle translucence like that of sta...

This important German porcelain box exhibits delightful artistry and craftsmanship. Its hand-painted wild game scene celebrates the natural world,...

Abstracted foliate motifs swirl atop each other to form this Lalique vase in the Charmilles motif, first designed by René Lalique on October 8, 1926. Inspired by bowers under greener...

Impressive in size and dazzling in artistry, this rare Le Verre Français vase features Schneider Glassworks’ signature Art Deco Chardons design....

This 18th-century English snuff box is composed of a beautiful dark hardstone body encased in gold casework mounts. The box opens with a hinged lid, allowing snuff stored inside to b...

Exceptional in both size and artistry, this sand-polished cameo art glass vase from the famed Art Nouveau master Émile Gallé features an exceedingly rare alpine scene. The artist's l...

Exceptional in both size and artistry, this sand-polished cameo art glass vase is the work of the famed Art Nouveau master Émile Gallé, one of the most highly regarded names in Frenc...

This extremely rare, early Swiss automaton singing bird box by the famed Charles Bruguier is housed in a case enveloped in luxurious tortoiseshell. Ev...

This exceptional 19th-century gold box appears at first glance be an exquisite snuff box adorned with a charming Swiss enamel vista encircled by a multitude of natural pearls. A quick wind of the key, however, reveals the complex mechanism hidden inside, and the box plays a wistful tune. Once known as carillons à musique...

This exceptional sterling silver inkwell was presented to Henry Morton Stanley, the famed Welsh-American journalist, politician and explorer, on the occasion of his marriage to Dorothy Tennant. The inkwell was a royal gift from the Prince of Wales, the future King George V, and the Princess of Wales. The charming inkstand was designed by Walter & John Barnard for the royal silversmiths Elkington & Co., and no detail was spared in its creation. Each inkwell bears Stanley’s monogram, while the crest of the Prince and Princess adorns the delicately pierced tray. The inscription reads, “To H. M. Stanley on the occasion of his marriage / From the Prince & Princess of Wales / July 12th, 1880.” Born in Wales, Henry Morton Stanley’s lifetime of adventure began at the young age of 15 when he crossed the Atlantic aboard a merchant vessel and jumped ship in New Orleans. The young orphan was taken in by a local merchant named Henry Morton Stanley, whose name he took as his own. Stanley began a career as a journalist and was commissioned by the New York Herald to go to Central Africa in search of the famous missionary David Livingstone...

The bodies of this pair of Louis XVI-style vases, measuring nearly two feet in height, are formed from stunning specimens of white marble. Doré bronze mounts in the Louis XVI style p...

Beautiful and rare, this superb silver-mounted cut glass box was crafted by the legendary Russian firm Fabergé. The rounded cut glass box features a diamond pattern, while the hinged...

This early 19th century Swiss gold vinaigrette has the charming addition of a musical mechanism. The entire box is crafted of 14-karat yellow gold envelo...

This mother-of-pearl inlay perfume box is a rare and complete treasure from the famed Palais-Royal of France’s Second Empire. The box is a work of art, meticulously fashioned to deli...

This remarkable English Litchfield Cathedral skeleton clock, crafted by Evans of Handsworth, captures the essence of the famed Lichfield Cathedral with its iconic three-spire top and stunning Gothic architecture. This extraordinary timepiece features an intricate skeleton design, revealing its impressive two-train chain fuseé movement that powers an eight-day movement, chiming the hours on a melodious gong. The dial is a masterpiece in itself, intricately pierced and engraved in silver, displaying the time with Roman numerals and blued steel hands. The clock sits gracefully atop its original rosewood base. The Birmingham firm of William F. Evans of Handsworth was one of the most respected makers of skeleton clocks of the 19th century. The golden age of their manufacture occurred between the 1860s through the 1880s, and the firm was renowned for the stellar quality, grand size and superior materials utilized in the creation of their clocks. Of the many cathedrals they produced, the Litchfield Cathedral skeleton clock has earned a prominent status in today's market, being highly sought-after and coveted by collectors and enthusiasts alike. Skeleton clocks stand out as exceptional and captivating timepieces, meticulously crafted to reveal the inner workings of the mechanism in all their glory. Originating as early as the mid-16th Century as drum clocks, these intricately designed clocks are a testament to the finest craftsmanship of their time. The French played a significant role in popularizing skeleton clocks around 1750, introducing remarkable spring-driven antique mantle clocks...

A cascade of pink blooms sit against an ombre ground in this enameled vase by Camille Fauré. Executed using his signature technique, the vase's copper form...

This remarkably exquisite cut glass vase was crafted by one of the oldest glassworks firms in the United States, Pairpoint. The elaborate cut-to-clear decoration is brilliantly cut from a striking bright red to clear in a meticulous geometric pattern. Established in 1880 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the Pairpoint Manufacturing Company originally produced coffin fittings and metalwork. In 1894, Pairpoint merged with Mt. Washington Glassworks, resulting in an astounding creative output that included fantastic cut glass objet and lamp and lamp accessories, including both cut glass and the well-known Pairpoint blown glass lamps. Today, Pairpoint cut glass...

This important glass-fronted French Empire great wheel skeleton clock has the remarkable ability to run with incredible accuracy for more than a week on a single winding. The large central wheel and the rare combination of the pin-wheel escapement and knife-edge suspension allow for a longer, more accurate running time than most clocks of the period. The clock is further distinguished by the inclusion of a concentric calendar dial and Roman numeral chapter ring set amidst a stunning floral halo of gilt bronze fretwork, all mounted on a bronze-wrapped marble base. In such fine, working condition, and with the inclusion of a period glass dome, this clock is exemplary of the finest French skeleton...

Timeless and elegant, this pair of Wedgwood fumigator jars is crafted of the firm’s signature jasperware. This pair of vessels showcases a striking deep blue hue, contrasting greatly...

This Daum Nancy acid-etched glass vase represents an exceptionally rare and particularly graceful model from the renowned French firm. The glassmakers of Daum Nancy have long been ce...

Drawing from the luxury of Sèvres Porcelain and Louis XV's famed bleu céleste service from Versailles, this elegant French porcelain vase features the trademark shade of blue and medallions revealing scenes of flora and fauna, including pheasants and swans. Adorned with gilt accents on the lip and body of the octagonal vase...

Crafted by the celebrated French glassmaker René Lalique, this enchanting Ceylan vase is molded from opalescent glass with a blue stained wheel. The design...

This delightful gold and mother of pearl vinaigrette is ripe with 19th-century charm. Emblazoned with the initials "E.L" for its original owner, the book-shaped vinaigrette almost ce...

Formed entirely of 18K yellow gold polished to a high shine, this sleek case was created by the one and only Cartier. The exterior features a finel...

One of history’s greatest thinkers, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, is the subject of this black basalt figure by Wedgwood. The individual features and personality of the celebrated philosoph...