Pair of Carved Breccia Rosa Antigua Marble Shell Basins from Italy

Hand-carved in Italy during the 1900’s, this small marble shell basin would make a great vide-poche. A vide-poche (literally “empty pocket”) is a small sto...

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...

The Tazza with a raised floral carving in the center of the cup with gadrooned decoration around the cup with tapering stem and half fluting. Ending in small square base. Minute chip...

Here is a beautiful Shell Shaped Italian Marble Holy Water Stoup. Made completely by hand, this holy water stoup is made from a single block of Italian marble. It can be used as a fo...