16th Century Building and Garden Elements

An original antique burgundy hard stone bloc with a central lower part. Perfect to be used as a tabletop or for a Wabi Sabi spirit fireplace base and ca...

Group of 16th century (or earlier, possibly Gothic) Spanish or Italian wrought iron furniture mounts. These hand-wrought bosses and nails show incredible workmanship. These would have been used to decorate - and to structurally hold together an early chest or casket. The four geometric bosses beautifully made, eight ounces each without the nail! The nails are works of art in themselves, with their heavy geometric heads. Also two round bosses with the nail integral to the piece, one a mushroom form, the other like a parasol. And a single hand-wrought double sided nail. Great group of early iron. Provenance: Frances Pratt, Writer, Artist, Collector. New York City. Approximate sizes: 4 bosses 4.625 inches square 11.75 cm Round bosses 3 inches diameter the larger 2.5 the smaller 7.6/ 6.35 cm 4.5 in high 11.4 cm 5 nails...

A stunning 16th century carved panel from the Ariege region of France - Southwestern France. Beautifully sculpted from walnut. Much of the or...

Artempo Italian palazzo fireplace surround. Exquisite original wear for exceptional authentic interior design project. 16th century period and one of a kind castle element. This fire...

16th Century Spanish Terracotta Vase Hand made marks around the vase.

An antique Italian pair of Corinthian Capitals from the Renaissance period, hand carved in limestone. Minor fading, scratches due to age. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1500...

16th Century French Renaissance period fireback with the Arms of France. Coat of arms of the house of Bourbon, an originally French royal house that became a major dynasty in Europe....

An exceptional and rare 16th century wrought iron door knocker, masterfully hand-forged in the early Renaissance tradition. This striking piece of architectural ironwork is distingui...

English Renaissance (Tudor-16th Century) oak carved linen fold design paneled room with a mantle, overmantle carving and a Pair of spindle design open doo...

Although when most people hear the word “gargoyle”, they probably envision small, winged creatures with grotesque visages. However, the phrase has a deeper meaning, encompassing any carved head (animal or human) that function as waterspouts. From the Early Renaissance (late 1400’s/early 1500’s), our gargoyle fountain spout features a human-like face with pointed ears, possibly representing a centaur or a satyr. The roughly rectangular block of marble was hand-carved in Arezzo, in the Tuscany region of Italy. All sides except the front of the cream-colored stone have a sawed finish, resulting in a rough texture. The back has been excavated, adding to the character of the gargoyle. A 1 ½” diameter hole has been cut all the way through, forming an open mouth of the gargoyle. The gaping mouth was often a symbol used to conjure images of devouring giants and used to remind people that they are susceptible to certain forces. Our 15th/16th century marble...

Sensational French antique fireplace surround for the connoisseur. Late 16th - early 17th century period chateau fireplace surround in great authent...

16th Century Spanish Terracotta Vase Hand made marks around the vase.

Sea monster Carrara marble mouth fountain Italy, late 16th century It measures 13.8 x 31.5 x 18.9 in (35 x 80 x 48 cm) State of conservation: some small evident gaps and widespread signs of wear due to outdoor exposure. The gray marks crossing it do not come from restoration, but are rather the natural veins of the marble. This work has some morphological characteristics typically associated with the iconography of the sea monster: an elongated muzzle, sharp teeth, protruding eyes, elongated ears, and a coiled serpent's tail. An in-depth series of studies on artistic depictions of the sea monster attempted to verify how this symbol evolved in antiquity in the European and Mediterranean contexts and how it gradually changed its image and function over time. The iconography itself is mutable and imaginative and its history is rich with cultural and artistic exchange, as well as the overlapping of ideas. This occurred so much that it is difficult to accurately pinpoint the "types" that satisfactorily represent its various developments. However, we can try to summarize the main figures, starting from the biblical Leviathan and the marine creature that swallowed Jonah (in the Christian version, this figure was to become a whale or a "big fish", the “ketos mega”, translation of the Hebrew “dag gadol”). Other specimens ranged from the dragons mentioned in the Iliad (which were winged and had legs) to "ketos” (also from Greek mythology), the terrifying being from whose Latinized name (“cetus”) derives the word "cetacean". See J. Boardman, “Very Like a Whale” - Classical Sea Monsters, in Monsters and Demons in the Ancient and Medieval Worlds, in Papers presented in Honor of Edith Porada, Mainz am Rhein 1987, pp. 73-84). In Italy the monster underwent yet further variations: it can be found in Etruscan art on the front of some sarcophagi representing the companion of souls, while among the Romans we find the “Pistrice” (cited by Plinio in Naturalis Historia PLIN., Nat., II 9, 8 and by Virgilio in Eneide: VERG., Aen., III, 427), which appeared in the shape of a stylized hippocampus or a very large monstrous cetacean and evolved into a hideous being with a dragon's head and long webbed fins. During the Middle Ages, the sea monster was the object of new transformations: at this time, it is often winged, the head is stretched like a crocodile, the front legs are often very sharp fins - sometimes real paws - until the image merges with dragons, the typical figures of medieval visionary spirituality widely found throughout Europe (on this topic and much more, see: Baltrušaitis, J., Il Medioevo fantastico. Antichità ed esotismi nell’arte gotica, Gli Adelphi 1997). In Italy during the 15th and 16th centuries, the revival of classicism - representative of the humanistic and Renaissance periods - led to a different reading of these "creatures". Indeed, the sea monster was also to find widespread use as an isolated decorative motif, especially in numerous fountains and sculptures where dolphins or sea monsters were used as a characterizing element linked to water (on this theme see: Chet Van Duzer, Sea Monsters on Medieval and Renaissance Maps, London, The British library, 2013). From the morphological point of view, the "sea monsters" of this period are mostly depicted as hybrid figures, in which the body of a mythological or real being (a hippocampus, a sea snake, a dolphin), is joined to a head with a rather indistinct appearance. It was usually characterized by large upright ears, an elongated snout, sharp teeth and globular, protruding eyes; a complex and indefinite figure, both from the symbolic point of view and from that of its genesis. The work we are examining is placed as a cross between the medieval sea serpent and the Renaissance dolphin, with stylistic features which recall the snake as often used in heraldry (such as the "snake" depicted in the coat of arms of the Visconti - the lords and then dukes of Milan between 1277 and 1447 - and which, for some, may be derived from the representations of the “Pistrice” that swallowed Jonah). In the search for sources, Renaissance cartography and in particular woodcuts should not be neglected. See for example the monsters of Olaus Magnus, from the editions of the “Historia de gentibus septentrionalibus” (“History of the peoples of the north”) and the natural histories of Conrad Gesner, Ulisse...

This outstanding Tonnerre stone fireplace is a masterpiece of the first French Renaissance. It was sculpted in 1534, under the reign of King François the 1st for Philippe Merlan (1503-1546), Baron of Montpont, Lord of Jully-lez-Arnay-le-Duc. This monumental fireplace...

China, a monumental pair (2) of 500 year old lime stone “Spirit Path” Equine horse head sculptures. Ming dynasty, (1368-1644 CE). A pair of near life size and robust head sections with fine, wavy combed manes, well defined mouths, ears, nostrils, and ornamental bridles, all carved in a medium to dark gray limestone with considerable weathering to surfaces. The smaller head with a later inscription on bottom and signed “Zhuang”. Formerly exhibited “Treasures from Asia”, Shelburne Vermont, Shelburne Art Center, 2006. Originally found in the vicinity of the village of Chuan near Luoyang City, Henan Provance, China. Each mounted on a custom iron display stand. Dimensions: A the smaller 32.5cm, 13” high and 62.5cm, 25” in length and with display stand, 60cm, 24” high; b the larger 37.5cm, 15” high and 67.5cm, 27” in length and with display stand 65cm, 26” high. Please view additional photographs from our Chinese antiquities catalog 35 Years Collecting 35 Treasures, page 60. History: Placing stone animals and human figures along spirit paths in front of important tombs can be traced back at least to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE), some two thousand years ago. In ancient times, stone animals and human figures placed before imperial tombs symbolized royal power and privilege in addition to decorative functions. Life size “spirit path” stone horse sculptures are known and can be viewed from Ming dynasty tombs including thirteen imperial tombs of the Ming Dynasty scattered over an area of forty square kilometers in Changping District to the northwest of Beijing. The first Ming tomb...

Rich Renaiscance period half-columns in Belgian Saint-Remy Marble for eclectic interior design. These 2 original antique, 16th century period, columns are mounted on a stand and has ...

Ancient slate portal, black frame carved by hand with motifs of the time, very old and in perfect conservation conditions, of great value of the material and of the sculpture, and of...

Antique monumental fireplace, of great value and great size, in beige stone carved entirely by hand, wavy legs and protruding hat with large molure, built in the late 1500s / early 1...

Fine set of four wooden columns, entirely carved and gilded by hand, dating from the 16th century and of Spanish origin. The shaft has a two-level zig-zag carved pattern, (fishbone),...

Entrance door of a city Moughal XVI-XVII century North of India Deeply carved Teak wood with floral desigs With iron rings and sticks to avoid the elephant hits . Maharashtra, ...

An outstanding and exceptional set of 3 16th century ceiling panels - beams from Barcelona. Hand hewn solid wood panels beautifully painted. Fabulous architectural elements to incorp...

Palatial portal made of Medicean breccia, a type of marble that owes its name to its extensive use by the Medici family in Tuscany in the 16th century for facings and decorations. Co...

A very handsome 16th century Vasque or vessel from the Catalan region of Spain. Hand-carved with one whole to a side. An very wonderful piece to serve as a jardinière or planter. Ver...

This rare fragment was salvaged from an entryway on a building in Fontvieille, near the city ancient Arles, France. There is a worn and carved center cartouche depicting a very small...

A monumental 16th century sandstone Renaissance fireplace mantel. Finely sculpted with a moulded beam and colomn supports. Decorated with flower motives, guirlandes and cirkels. Lov...

A panel of four square Ottoman Empire ‘Dome of the Rock’ tiles, painted in underglaze cobalt blue with a trellis of split and winged palmettes with cloud-scroll collars, framed. Syrian, 16th century. 15 in square, framed 17 ½ in square. Provenance: Property of a private European collector. Footnote: This design was first seen on the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, which was tiled on the instructions of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent around 1545. Soon after similar tiles appeared on several building in Aleppo, most notably Bait Jumbiatt, the Ummayad Mosque and the Khosrowiyya Mosque, as well as numerous private houses. There are also near identical tiles in the Ramanazoglu Mosque in Adana (Turkey). See Arthur Miler ‘Damascus Tiles...

Often when centuries-old trunks did not survive the passage of time, 19th-century menuisiers (French woodworkers) would salvage the surviving wood and carve new furniture such as desks and similar trunks. The facade was typically the most ornate section of these antique trunks, making intact frontages highly valued antiques. Hand-carved from oak in Picardie, France, circa 1550, this period Gothic architectural is a beautiful example of an antique trunk facade that was not incorporated into a more recent furnishing. Picardie is a former administrative region in northern France that is home to many Gothic cathedrals. The Amiens Cathedral (mid-13th century) is the largest standing cathedral in Europe and is truly a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Our trunk frontage has five vertically oriented inset panels embellished with various forms of Gothic tracery, including high-arching niches...

A fantastic pair of Gothic period hand carved stone capitals from the Avignon area of France. Exceptional fragments whether used architecturally or converted into end tables.

16th C. Hand Carved Capital Stone Base Architectural Element Sculpture Pedestal. Very rare 16th Century Renaissance corner Capital . Hand carved limestone Chapiteau Capital from a Cloister in France . From an ornamental point of view , it is the coronation , the upper part of a post or a column or pilaster pillar . A beautiful Architectural element garden ornament . It can used as a Base for a coffee glass table , or as a side table for drinks or to mount books. A stunning Fragments to be used as stand for a sculpture . Use it as a pedestal or as a mounted decorative object. In an entryway a bathroom a living room , in an office , it will create an incredible focal point . It can make a beautiful base for a floor lamp by a leather reading chair...

Unique and wonderful folk art coat of arms, Depicting a eagle holding a rabbit, two crosses and two castle's and on the top a grotesque head. This beautiful period piece is made out ...

This pair of important Italian Renaissance marble baths belonged to the Warrior Pope Julius II, one of the most powerful and influential Pop...

A Rare and Finely Carved Weser Renaissance Stone Head Stone Germany 16th Century Size: 23cm high, 21cm wide, 21cm deep - 9 ins high, 8¼ ins wide, 8¼ ins deep / 33cm high ...

16th Hand Carved Stone Relief Renaissance Building Façade. Modern Iron Foot

Marble columns minimum 17th century coming from a Spanish convent near Granada, however the base was not in a condition to salvage they're still a great find.

A rare pair of carved sandstone Burmese temple guards. Originates from paragode in Burma c. 15-17th century. Handcarved with fine details. Each guard ...

Pair of early 16th century granite ram garden sculptures.

Rectangular frieze in carved pine wood, gilded and polychrome decorated with figurative reliefs. An architectural piece with garland serves as the axis for the symmetrical compositio...

Hand Carved Stone Capital Base Side Coffee Table Garden Pedestal Antique element . LARGE and Very rare Renaissance hand carved capital of the 16th century corner carved limestone Cha...

Pair Of Istrian Stone Columns, Venice 16th Century

When the Hearth Becomes an Unmatched Work of Art. This authentic 16th century French antique fireplace surround, masterfully carved in limestone, is a rare and historically rich piec...

No doubt originally intended for a palatial interior, this elegant chimneypiece is carved in three different specimens of prized coloured marbles: yellow Marmo Giallo Siena, a favour...

An impressive pair of large 18th century brass fireplace andirons. In remarkable antique condition. Most likely English.

An impressive antique mortar, hand-carved from a single block of solid stone, with a cylindrical shape and sturdy vertical buttresses that reinforce its structure. Its deep cavity re...

An exceptional Gothic Period French Cadran Solaire - Sundail beautifully carved from stone. Fabulous patina. A perfect accent to any garden.

Ancient entrance door or gate with turned columns, hand painted in gray green, beautiful patina and original iron vents, was in a patio covered in a 16th cen...

Garden window archway made of Limestone. Originates from France. Circa, 16th century.

Very ancient and very important portal in walnut wood, richly carved by hand with bambocci and columns typical of the time, built entirely by hand by Italian artists in the 16th cent...

Beautiful Italian Fireplace dating from the 16th Century with engraved date (1596) in basaltic grey stone.

16th century Spanish round shaped keystone wedged in the ceiling, where arches meet the apex of a vault.   

Fine, hand-carved, Carrara marble, robed figure from central Italy modeled in the Classical, contrapposto pose. The inscription fragment on the base reads "..under the auspices of...".

16th century German gothic fireback with a religious theme. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black patina. This product weighs more tha...

Fireback from 1561 with the coat of arms of Jacques de Tige, son of Gobert de Tige and Catherine de Serainchamps, and Blanche de Villelongue, daughter of Jean de Villelongue and Clau...

16th century German Gothic fireback from the early days of casting firebacks. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upo...

Beautiful fireback from the 16th century with fretwork contours. Under the central arch adorned with a leonine mask, two figures disguised as Mars and Venus are entwined. They are part of an architectural construction composed of a facade rhythmed with canephoric terms and crowned with a triangular pediment. The plaque bears the coat of arms of Germain Du Val...

16th century German Gothic fireback with a religious theme. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The condition is good, n...

Carved granite benitier or sink, primitive carved stone head as the water spout. Usually found at the entrance of Church or Monastry, to cleanse hands and mark the sign of the cross ...

This is a nice size capital from Italy. Normally these were top a column inside cathedrals throughout the world. It’s beautifully hand carved by an artesian out of wood. The gold gil...

This is a terracotta olive jar from central Spain. It has a wonderful aged patina with chalky painted finish. It makes a great statement as a sculpture in a room on a pedestal, alone...

French 16th century tiles Dimensions from the left top to the right of each tile. a) 5.25" x 1" x 5.25" - 5"x 1" x 5" - 4.5" x 1" x 4.5" - 4" x 0.7...

16th century French Gothic andirons made of cast iron. With faces on the spit hooks to discourage evil powers. This product has to be shipped as freight due to its size and/or (volu...