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Decorative Objects For Sale
Period: 1910s
Period: 15th Century and Earlier
German Nude Male Warrior, Otto Schmidt Hofer, ca. 1910
By Otto Schmidt Hofer
Located in Petaluma, CA
A patinated bronze sculpture after German sculptor Otto Schmidt Hofer (1873-1925). Titled, "The Enemy Below." A figural work featuring a handsome nude male Greek...
Category

1910s German Beaux Arts Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Natural Basalt Section with Amethyst Exposed
Located in London, GB
This fascinating section of basalt perfectly illustrates how the precious amethyst appears in the tunnels of the underground mines of Artigas. Glistening deep purple crystals jump ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Uruguayan Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Agate, Amethyst, Quartz

Stunning Labradorite sphere
Located in London, GB
This stunning sphere is crafted from Labradorite, a mesmerizing mineral renowned for its remarkable play of colors, known as labradorescence. The sphere predominantly showcases a gre...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Malagasy Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Rock Crystal

Genuine Natural Spinosaurus Dinosaur Tooth
Located in New York, NY
Spinosaurus (meaning "spine lizard") is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in what now is North Africa, during the upper Albian to upper Turonian stages of the Cretaceous period...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Other

Spectacular Citrine: Polished Perfection from Brazil
Located in London, GB
Feast your eyes on this breathtaking polished citrine from Brazil, a true marvel of natural artistry. This stunning specimen boasts remarkable transparency, allowing the rich brownis...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Brazilian Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Quartz

Small Lilac Amethyst Geode with Calcite
Located in London, GB
This small geode of lilac coloured amethystine quartz with several rhombohedral calcites at the front and red druze / blackish goethite accents. This piece was legally and ethica...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Uruguayan Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Agate, Amethyst, Quartz

Exceptional “Excalibur” Amethyst Formation, Calcite, Agate, Quartz
Located in London, GB
With its extremely unusual central amethyst epimorph after calcite, this natural wonder evokes images of the legendary sword, Excalibur, magically fixed in the stone. Elsewhere we ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Uruguayan Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Agate, Amethyst, Quartz

Sculptural Oriented Meteorite
Located in London, GB
Oriented Chondrite Meteorite Circa 4.56 Billion y/o Chondrite 24 x 20 cm, 28 cm tall on base 7.1 kg A sculptural and beautifully weathered chondrite meteorite; upon entering the atmosphere, this extraterrestrial stone would have heated the surrounding air to a temperature of over 1700 C, higher than that of the hottest lava on the planet, and enough to melt away its outer layers, leaving its surface rippled with regmaglypts, thumb-shaped impressions formed as superheated rock streaked off of the main body as it careened toward the earth. The last layer of the rock to melt would have re-solidified as the meteorite made impact, forming a charcoal coloured fusion crust, which has taken on a deep ochre-tinted patina. Chondrite meteorites such as this example were formed at the very beginning of our solar system, by the accretion of various types of dust and small grains, adrift in the vacuum of space and, as such, provide important clues about the birth of our own planet. This piece is an especially rare specimen, known as an oriented meteorite...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Italian Patented Feathered Bronze Vase from the Early Twentieth Century
Located in Milano, MI
Bronze vase with feathered morises, patented, made in the early 20th century. Ø 25 cm Ø 13 cm h 16 cm
Category

1910s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Oriented Stone Meteorite
Located in London, GB
Oriented Stone Meteorite Chondrite 5.00 kg Detached from its parent body by a mighty impact, this large, oriented Meteorite travelled over a hu...
Category

15th Century and Earlier North African Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Lunar Meteorite - A piece of the Moon
Located in London, GB
A beautiful fragment from a lunar meteorite, among the rarest of all geological finds. This specimen belongs to NWA 11303, a feldspathic regolith breccia which formed when the shock ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Algerian Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Early 20th Century, Nickel-Plated Spelter Sculpture Dog
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An antique sculpture of a dog made of nickel-plated spleter (zinc alloy). Sitting on a red “Griotte” marble plinth. Made in France, circa 1910-1920....
Category

1910s French Art Deco Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Griotte Marble, Spelter

Late Bronze Age Sword
Located in London, GB
Saint Nazaire Sword, Late Bronze Age, circa 800-900 B.C. An exceptionally well preserved Bronze Age sword, with elegant, finely incised decorations,...
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Genuine Natural Large Carcharodontosaurus Dinosaur Tooth
Located in New York, NY
Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa. Cretaceous Age 65 million years Carcharodontosaurus is one of the longest and heavi...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Other

A Piece of Mars - Martian Meteorite
Located in London, GB
MARTIAN STONE - NWA 14713 Lherzolitic shergottite 127 g “This 127-gram fragment of the NWA 14713 meteorite displays a green-black mottled exterior. The rock is a martian shergottite (a basalt) composed mainly of coarse grains of pyroxene as well as calcium-plagioclase glass. This glass, called maskelynite, formed from crystalline plagioclase when the specimen was blasted off the surface of Mars by an energetic collision. There are currently less than 350 known martian meteorites...
Category

15th Century and Earlier North African Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Meteorite Impact Desert Glass
Located in London, GB
Libyan Desert Glass Circa 29 Million y/o Height: 9.5 cm A beautiful, tactile piece of yellow glass, found between the high crested dunes of the Libyan De...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Libyan Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Fossilised Dinosaur Skin
Located in London, GB
Fossilised Skin of a Brachylophosaurus Approx. 80 Million y/o An exceptional specimen of fossilised dinosaur skin, preserving the hexagonal scales of...
Category

15th Century and Earlier American Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Korean antique pottery vase/rare design pottery/Joseon Dynasty/15th century
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
I would like to introduce Korean antique pottery with a very rare design. This is a vase-shaped container made in the early Joseon Dynasty of Ko...
Category

15th Century and Earlier South Korean Other Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Genuine Natural Spinosaurus Dinosaur Tooth
Located in New York, NY
Spinosaurus (meaning "spine lizard") is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in what now is North Africa, during the upper Albian to upper Turonian stages of the Cretaceous period...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Moroccan Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Other

Genuine Natural Calcified Ammonite Fossil, '2.3 LBS'
Located in New York, NY
Museum-quality, fossilized and calcified ammonite shell with an iridescent, opalized shimmer displaying hints of vibrant red. The fossilized shells of ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Other

Genuine Spinosaurus Claw in Display Case (129.4 grams)
Located in New York, NY
This huge, Museum-quality Spinosaur foot claw is genuine, completely in tact with no repairs and in prestine condition. This incredible specimen includes a display box for preservati...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Other

Large Chondrite Meteorite with Regmaglypts
Located in London, GB
NWA 12759 Stone, Chondrite - L5 18.3 KG “This specimen of the NWA 12759 L5 chondrite has a smooth posterior fusion crust where meteoritic melt pooled as the rock descended through the atmosphere and was heated by friction with molecules of air. The meteorite is from the L-chondrite asteroid that was destroyed by an energetic collision 470 million years ago.” Dr Alan E. Rubin, PhD Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, UCLA Detached from its parent body by a mighty impact, this large, oriented meteorite travelled over a hundred million miles through space before falling to Earth in the North African desert. Beautiful regmaglypts radiate from the apex of its cone shaped nose. These elongated dimples formed when streaks of superheated molten rock streamed off the meteor’s surface as it blazed through the atmosphere. The entire piece is coated in a glossy, umber-coloured fusion crust and close examination reveals remnants of encrusted, orange dirt. Whilst most meteors tumble as they travel through the Earth’s atmosphere, oriented meteorites...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Moroccan Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

White Quartz Stalactite Formation
Located in London, GB
This substantial formation consists of prominent white quartz crystals with a slight green tinge, laid over a bed of undulating stalactites. A small hon...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Uruguayan Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Agate, Amethyst, Quartz

Gogotte Formation
Located in London, GB
Gogotte formation circa 30 Million y/o Measures : 42 x 21 x 63 cm. A magnificent example of a gogotte formation, composed of thick swirls and fo...
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Sandstone

Mountain Hut Lodge Haus Wachenfeld Metal Money Box Piggy Bank, Vintage 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous vintage metal money bank. A beautiful decorative item in metal. Made in Germany, circa 1920s to 1930s as a souvenir building bank. Nice addition to any collection, desktop, ...
Category

1910s German Folk Art Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Monolithic Stone Meteorite
Located in London, GB
Unclassified Meteorite Stone Height: 36.83 cm 42.5 kg A dramatic extraterrestrial sculpture, of monolithic form, covered in a thick grey-brown fusion crust and with areas of sandy deposits from untold years spent on the desert floor. Formed in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter during the formation of our solar system, some 4.55 billion years ago, this large stone would have been separated from its parent body by an enormous impact before journeying through interplanetary space and eventually reaching Earth. Upon atmospheric entry it would have reached cosmic velocity, heating the surrounding air to 1700°C and producing a large ball of fire. The heat was sufficient to melt the outer surface of the stone, exposing a new surface which in turn also melted away, losing as much as 95% of its initial mass before reaching the ground. The last molten layer to form as it collided with the Earth covered the stone in a layer of fusion crust, evidence of the incredible impact force delivered by this extraordinary specimen. “This unclassified stone meteorite was found in Northwest Africa. It has a relatively smooth, dark brown, slightly weathered fusion crust; some small melt veins are visible on the surface. Due to the near-absence of terrestrial rocks in this region of the Sahara, meteorite hunting in this area has yielded many notable discoveries.” Dr Alan E. Rubin, PhD Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences...
Category

15th Century and Earlier North African Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Genuine Trilobite Fossil (Ptychopariida) on Matrix (116.9 grams)
Located in New York, NY
Ptychopariida is a large, heterogeneous order of trilobite containing some of the most primitive species known. The earliest species occurred in the second half of the Lower Cambrian...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Cement, Other

Cross Section of Exceptional Lunar Meteorite
Located in London, GB
“This 149-gram slice of the Gadamis 004 lunar meteorite contains a wide variety of sizes of light-colored angular anorthositic clasts. These silicate c...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Libyan Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Genuine Natural Spinosaurus Dinosaur Tooth
Located in New York, NY
Genuine Spinosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth. Spinosaurus (meaning "spine lizard") is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in what now is North Africa, during the upper Albian to upper T...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Other

Hellenistic Grotesque Theatre Mask of Maccus
Located in London, GB
Grotesque theatrical mask of Maccus Late Hellenistic or Early Imperial period, circa 1st century B.C. – 1st century A.D., likely from Southern Italy. Terracotta with remains of pin...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Etruscan "Bucchero" Black Ware Two Handle Vase
Located in CA, CA
An Etruscan "bucchero" black ware two handle vase dating from the 6th century BC. Adorned with boar designs in relief around the body of vessel and a single standing human figure in...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Other Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Large Amethyst Crystal Cluster with Purple Fluorite
Located in New York, NY
Museum quality, rare undulating formation of a gemmy transparent amethyst cluster with a cluster of spherical purple fluorite. These amethyst crystals ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Indian Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Amethyst, Crystal, Other

Etruscan Bronze Statuette of Discus Thrower
Located in London, GB
A remarkably fine example of Archaic sculpture.  A figure of a discophoros, or discus bearer, standing with his right leg forward, gripping a discus in his right hand, the left arm raised with an open palm. Described with admiration in Münzen und Medaillen's 1961 auction, "The figure is a masterpiece and illustrates with rare vividness the essence of good Etruscan sculpture...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Amethyst Mineral Sculpture with High Crystal Peaks on Metal Stand
Located in London, GB
A stunning deep purple amethyst cluster with unusually high peaked crystals on metal stand. The polished frame shows mineral layers developing from the rough basalt, to the grey/blue...
Category

15th Century and Earlier South American Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Agate, Amethyst, Quartz

Antique Silver Clutch Bag, Sterling Silver Chain Mesh Ladies Purse Evening Bag
Located in Wembley, GB
Art Deco 1924 Sterling Silver Chain Mesh Ladies Evening Bag Purse This is an exquisite chain mesh ladies' bag made of sterling silver from the Art Deco era. Its classic feminine d...
Category

1910s British Art Deco Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Sculptural Iron Nickel Meteorite
Located in London, GB
A magnificent and extremely sculptural specimen of the Seymchan meteorite, recovered in the Russian Far East. This rare and large end cut preserves the patinated and partially melted...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Russian Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Other

Antique Silver Cup, European Rococo Decorative Bowl Cup & Lid Sugar Bowl
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique silver cup or Decorative nu or fruit cup gilded inside with lid, pressed, cast and chased. Circular, curved feet with hinged. unstamped, tested with the scratch test, height ...
Category

1910s Swedish Rococo Revival Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
Always very popular and a very useful desk-top accessory, this one is one of the larger examples, quite an imposing size. These large circular magnifiers actually are the condenser o...
Category

1910s British Edwardian Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Handsome Tall (14 1/2") Open Oak Barley Twist Candlesticks c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A particularly fine pair of antique Oak candlesticks, and with much skill were lovingly carved, with an open barley twist design. The tops have decorative brass tops, a winning comb...
Category

1910s British Edwardian Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Rare Find Art Nouveau Daum Cameo Glass Vitrified Monnaies du Pape Round Coupe
By Daum
Located in Bochum, NRW
Daum Cameo Glass Bowl, France, circa 1910. A rare Art Nouveau Daum cameo glass vitrified Monnaies du Pape round coupe (Honesty). Very finely acid etched, wheel carved decor of Honest...
Category

1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Whole Ammonite Fossil with Druzy Chambers Jurassic Cretaceous #Z9A
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Madagascar Jurassic - Cretaceous Period, 200 - 145 million years old Dimensions: 7.75 × 6.5 × 1.75 in./ 19.5 × 16.5 × 4.5 cm Weight: 3 lbs 2 oz/ 1.366 kg Height on custom display...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Malagasy Other Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Precious Stone

Pair of Tall Edwardian Sterling Silver Neoclassical Column-Form Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Tall, Edwardian, sterling silver, neoclassical, column-form candlesticks, Birmingham, England, 1914, Bayliss and Coulthard - makers. Measures: 12 1/2 high x 5 wide x 5 deep (at squar...
Category

1910s English Neoclassical Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tang Dynasty Full Set Of Painted Pottery Zodiac Figures TL tested
Located in Dallas, TX
Tang Dynasty Full Set Of Painted Pottery Zodiac Figures (TL tested) The Thermoluminescence Report (Item #185404) will accompany this sale. A Rare Set of Chinese Pottery Zodiac Figures from the Tang Dynasty painted with black and orange pigments. The conventional order of the twelve Chinese zodiac...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

"Standing peacock" Antique silver plated, Decorative animal object , home decor
Located in Wembley, GB
Majestic and regal, this standing silver-plated peacock exudes elegance and grace. The impressionistic treatment of surface texture refers to the clay from which it was crafted. si...
Category

1910s Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Silver, Silver Plate

Genuine Natural Large Carcharodontosaurus Dinosaur Tooth
Located in New York, NY
Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa. Cretaceous Age 65 million years Carcharodontosaurus is one of the longest and heavi...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Other

Louis Comfort Tiffany Favrile Iridescent Art Glass Compote Dish or Tazza
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Nouveau Favrile iridescent art glass compote dish or tazza By Louis Comfort Tiffany for Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) USA, Circa 1910 M...
Category

1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Arts & Crafts Scarab Vase by Adelaide Alsop Robineau
Located in Chicago, US
Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel services are an option, the default quote does not include packing and insurance. 1stDibs shipping provides a level of value, protection, and care that aligns with our commitment to safeguarding historic artworks and providing excellent client service. “A Robineau vase is a true work of art, unique in conception and perfect in execution, for every piece that left this studio was a labor of love.” – Ethel Brand Wise, The American Magazine of Art, 1929 Adelaide Alsop Robineau was a pioneer in American studio ceramics and excelled as an innovator in pottery both technically and aesthetically. As a young woman of high society in the late Victorian era, she gained early accolades as a skilled watercolorist and china painter and taught for a time at St. Mary’s Hall in Minnesota. In 1899, she married Samuel E. Robineau, a French gentleman and collector of Chinese ceramics. He was deeply intrigued by her talent and steadfastly supported and encouraged her throughout her career. The couple collaborated to produce a popular and influential monthly journal together, Keramic Studio, and went on to build a studio on their property in Syracuse, New York, which they named Four Winds. Robineau would also go on to teach for many years at Syracuse University while creating her own work and raising three children. Early in her career, she studied at Alfred University under Charles Binns, who is widely considered to be the progenitor of contemporary studio ceramics in America. His program established a shift in the craft of ceramics as an academic pursuit, rather than one of apprenticeship. Pottery throwers and the artists who decorated the wares traditionally inhabited separate roles in ceramic manufacture, a practice common in Europe. Binns’ philosophy merged the two, such that the potter had total agency of the final product. This marked a historic divergence in the creation of art pottery – one that Adelaide Robineau...
Category

1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Emmanuel Villanis Style Art Nouveau French Virgin Mary Sculpture w/ Marble Base
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A turn of the 20th century Emmanuel Villanis styled Virgin Mary bust sculpture exudes the ethereal grace reminiscent of the virgin saint in an Art Nou...
Category

1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Candelabras Brutalist Menorah Jewish Judaica Golden Candle Holders Brass
Located in Wembley, GB
We are happy to offer you this brass-hammered menorah. With Hanukkah just a few weeks away, now is the time to treat yourself to a gorgeous new brass menorah. It has a hammered finish that is contemporary and yet classic. So light up your home and the festival with this beauty! Approximate Height 30 - 35 cm. We sell several of these candle holders through a year and because these items are unique individual handcrafted they would have a slight diffrences on each one. Rare Antique Solid Brass 7-Branch Menorah, Heavy Sweden Hanukkah Candelabrum, Jewish Candle...
Category

1910s Swedish Hollywood Regency Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Sheet Metal, Brass, Bronze

Decorative Mounted Lapis Lazuli Section
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous slab of vibrant lapis lazuli. Lapis lazuli inclides lazurite (intense blue), calcite (white veins) and pyrite (gold flecks). Prized since ancient times, this is a wonder...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Afghan Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Lapis Lazuli

Ancient South Arabian Alabaster Statue
Located in London, GB
South Arabian Calcite female figure 3rd Century BC to 1st century A.D. Calcite Alabaster height: 30.5 cm A magnificent alabaster female figure, a f...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Yemeni Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Alabaster

Natural Gogotte Formation
Located in London, GB
A magnificent example of a gogotte formation composed of thick swirls and folds of sparkling sandstone. Discovered in the Oligocene sand dunes of Fontainebleau, France, formed circa 30 million years before present or later. The incredible, almost otherworldly appearance of gogottes may easily be mistaken for the work of a most talented artist. In fact, these sandstone sculptures are entirely natural in origin. They have been found in multiple locations but those from Fontainebleau, such as the present example, are the most remarkable. Thirty-five million years ago, a sea covered what is now the forest of Fontainebleau, and dunes of exceptionally fine and homogenous sand formed. As silica-rich water filtered through this sand, it turned into stone. The flow of water finely modelled the sandstone into the aesthetic concretions we now know as gogottes. These are rare and are only found sporadically several metres deep into the ground. They owe their sparkling white appearance to the extreme and unmatched purity of the Fontainebleau sand, sometimes reaching a composition of 99.9% silica. Each of them is unique – a masterpiece slowly fashioned by the hands of Nature. The intriguing name of “gogotte” was coined by French geologist Claude Guillemin (1923- 1994), who was inspired by the children’s book series Babar the Elephant. In one of the books, a group of monsters called Gogottes are shown hiding behind rocks. These rocks reminded Guillemin of the sandstone concretions...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Other

Art Nouveau Southern French Fayance art pottery FLOOR VASE rare colours&pattern
Located in Landshut, BY
A giving joy beautiful French Fayence Floor Vase fantastic Art Nouveau pattern - Impressing Colours Manufacturer unknown - marked Design Period 1915 - 1925 Country of Manufacture : France H / height: 46 cm ~ Gew. / weight: 4550 grs DM / diameter max: 28 cm ~ DM oben / diameter inner rim: 19.8 cm .... an ode to Southern France A Legend of Provence by Adelaide Anne Procter (30 October 1825 – 2 February 1864) The lights extinguished, by the hearth I leant, Half weary with a listless discontent. The flickering giant-shadows, gathering near, Closed round me with a dim and silent fear. All dull, all dark; save when the leaping flame, Glancing, lit up a Picture's ancient frame. Above the hearth it hung. Perhaps the night, My foolish tremors, or the gleaming light, Lent power to that Portrait dark and quaint, — A Portrait such as Rembrandt loved to paint, — The likeness of a Nun. I seemed to trace A world of sorrow in the patient face, In the thin hands folded across her breast: — Its own and the room's shadow hid the rest. I gazed and dreamed, and the dull embers stirred, Till an old legend that I once had heard Came back to me; linked to the mystic gloom Of that dark Picture in the ghostly room. In the far south, where clustering vines are hung; Where first the old chivalric lays were sung; Where earliest smiled that gracious child of France, Angel and knight and fairy, called Romance, I stood one day. The warm blue June was spread Upon the earth; blue summer overhead, Without a cloud to fleck its radiant glare, Without a breath to stir its sultry air. All still, all silent, save the sobbing rush Of rippling waves, that lapsed in silver hush Upon the beach; where, glittering towards the strand The purple Mediterranean kissed the land. All still, all peaceful; when a convent chime Broke on the mid-day silence for a time, Then trembling into quiet, seemed to cease, In deeper silence and more utter peace. So as I turned to gaze, where gleaming white, Half hid by shadowy trees from passers' sight, The Convent lay, one who had dwelt for long In that fair home of ancient tale and song, Who knew the story of each cave and hill, And every haunting fancy lingering still Within the land, spake thus to me, and told The Convent's treasured Legend, quaint and old: — Long years ago, a dense and flowering wood, Still more concealed where the white convent stood, Borne on its perfumed wings the title came: " Our Lady of the Hawthorns " is its name. Then did that bell, which still rings out to-day, Bid all the country rise, or eat, or pray. Before that convent shrine, the haughty knight Passed the lone vigil of his perilous fight; For humbler cottage strife or village brawl, The Abbess listened, prayed, and settled all. Young hearts that came, weighed down by love or wrong, Left her kind presence comforted and strong. Each passing pilgrim, and each beggar's right Was food, and rest, and shelter for the night. But, more than this, the Nuns could well impart The deepest mysteries of the healing art; Their store of herbs and simples was renowned, And held in wondering faith for miles around. Thus strife, love, sorrow, good and evil fate, Found help and blessing at the convent gate. Of all the nuns, no heart was half so light, No eyelids veiling glances half as bright, No step that glided with such noiseless feet, No face that looked so tender or so sweet, No voice that rose in choir so pure, so clear, No heart to all the others half so dear, So surely touched by others' pain or woe, (Guessing the grief her young life could not know,) No soul in childlike faith so undefiled, As Sister Angela's, the " Convent Child. " For thus they loved to call her. She had known No home, no love, no kindred, save their own. An orphan, to their tender nursing given, Child, plaything, pupil, now the Bride of Heaven And she it was who trimmed the lamp's red light That swung before the altar, day and night; Her hands it was whose patient skill could trace The finest broidery, weave the costliest lace; But most of all, her first and dearest care, The office she would never miss or share, Was every day to weave fresh garlands sweet, To place before the shrine at Mary's feet. Nature is bounteous in that region fair, For even winter has her blossoms there. Thus Angela loved to count each feast the best, By telling with what flowers the shrine was dressed. In pomp supreme the countless Roses passed, Battalion on battalion thronging fast, Each with a different banner, flaming bright, Damask, or striped, or crimson, pink, or white, Until they bowed before a newborn queen, And the pure virgin Lily rose serene. Though Angela always thought the Mother blest Must love the time of her own hawthorn best, Each evening through the years, with equal care, She placed her flowers; then kneeling down in prayer, As their faint perfume rose before the shrine, So rose her thoughts, as pure and as divine. She knelt until the shades grew dim without, Till one by one the altar lights...
Category

1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Art Nouveau Stoneware Gourd Vase Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat
Located in Chicago, US
PIERRE-ADRIEN DALPAYRAT (1844-1910) After working nearly half his life as an itinerant faience painter and directing production for commercial porcelain manufacturers, Dalpayrat’s ey...
Category

1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Eocene Epoch Multi-Specimen Fish Fossil from Fossil Lake, Wyoming
Located in New York, NY
This is a well-preserved, multi-specimen fossil featuring prehistoric fish from the Eocene Epoch, found in the renowned Fossil Lake area of Wyoming, a site famous for its exquisite fossil preservation due to ancient lakebed sediments. This fossil slab...
Category

15th Century and Earlier American Prehistoric Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Bohemian Loetz Red Tango Glass Vase w. Black Accents by Michael Powolny
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This antique Art Nouveau art glass vase by Michael Powolny for Loetz is an impressive and highly sought-after art piece from the early 20th cen...
Category

1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Austrian Jugendstil Glass Vase with Enameled Decor 1910 Ateliers Wiener Werkstä
Located in NANTES, FR
Glass vase with enameled decor small bells blue and green. 1910 Wiener Werkstätte Austrian vase with polychrome Enameled decoration. Probably a creatio...
Category

1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Painted Pottery Figure of a Prancing Horse, Tang Dynasty
Located in New York, NY
A painted pottery figure of a prancing horse, with right leg raised and head turned towards the left, the head well modelled with crisp features below pricked ears, saddle painted wi...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Asian Antique Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Antique and Vintage Decorative Objects for Sale: Find Vases, Bowls, Boxes and Clocks on 1stDibs

Every time you move into a house or an apartment — or endeavor to refresh the home you’ve lived in for years — life for that space begins anew. The right home accent, be it the simple placement of a decorative bowl on a shelf or a ceramic vase for fresh flowers, can transform an area from drab to spectacular. But with so many materials and items to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the process. The key to styling with antique and vintage decorative objects is to work toward making a happy home that best reflects your personal style. 

Ceramics are a versatile addition to any home. If you’ve amassed an assortment of functional pottery over the years, think of your mugs and salad bowls as decorative objects, ideal for displaying in a glass cabinet. Vintage ceramic serveware can pop along white open shelving in your dining area, while large stoneware pitchers paired with woven baskets or quilts in an open cupboard can introduce a rustic farmhouse-style element to your den.

Translucent decorative boxes or bowls made of an acrylic plastic called Lucite — a game changer in furniture that’s easy to clean and lasts long — are modern accents that are neutral enough to dress up a coffee table or desktop without cluttering it. If you’re showcasing pieces from the past, a vintage jewelry box for displaying your treasures can spark conversation: Where is the jewelry box from? Is there a story behind it?

Abstract sculptures or an antique vessel for your home library can draw attention to your book collection and add narrative charm to the most appropriate of corners. There’s more than one way to style your bookcases, and decorative objects add a provocative dynamic. “I love magnifying glasses,” says Alex Assouline, global vice president of luxury publisher Assouline, of adding one’s cherished objects to a home library. “They are both useful and decorative. Objects really elevate libraries and can also make them more personal.”

To help with personalizing your space and truly making it your own, find an extraordinary collection of decorative objects on 1stDibs.

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