Beninese Desk Accessories

Gorgeous stylized frog sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on the unders...

Big silvered bronze Vienna dog sculpture, 1900s. Very good detailed silvered bronze dog sculpture. Perfect as desk paperweight. We have specialized in the ...

Solid red marble with brass accent stem apple paperweight or sculpture, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and ...

An exceptional Persian Qajar lacquer papier-mâché photograph or picture album, richly hand-painted with miniature figural scenes, animals, floral arabesques and extensive gold-heightened decoration. Measuring an impressive 17 inches wide × 9 inches high × 1.5 inches deep, this elaborate album was conceived as much as a decorative work of Persian art as a functional repository for photographs, drawings or personal mementos. The front cover is extraordinarily detailed. A richly ornamented rectangular composition is organized around a central cartouche depicting an architectural court or garden scene populated by figures in period dress. The miniature portrays an intimate gathering within a Persian architectural setting, surrounded by attendants or musicians, evoking the courtly imagery frequently encountered in Qajar-period painting. The central scene is surrounded by an exceptionally dense field of scrolling floral arabesques, blossoms and foliage, executed in jewel-like colors against a dark ground. Additional figural and animal vignettes appear throughout the composition, including hunting imagery and animals, integrating narrative elements into the elaborate ornamental surface. Wide borders frame the central composition with further floral and foliate decoration in red, gold, green, black and warm ochre tones. The intricate layering of borders, medallions and miniature scenes gives the cover the visual richness associated with fine Persian lacquer work. The reverse cover is also individually hand-painted with a different composition, making both sides of the album works of art in their own right rather than repeating the same decorative scheme. The painted decoration is executed over a traditional papier-mâché foundation with a lacquered surface, a technique with a distinguished history in Persian decorative arts. Successive layers of painting, delicate line work and gold-colored highlights create remarkable depth and precision beneath the glossy protective finish. The album retains its distinctive red spine and braided cord binding, adding another attractive handcrafted element to the presentation. Inside are 14 pages, providing an intriguing glimpse into the object's original function as a private album or scrapbook. Dating to the late Qajar period, circa 1890–1910, this substantial Persian album combines elaborately hand-painted lacquered papier-mâché covers with patterned paper album leaves intended for photographs, drawings or personal mementos. Dating to the late Qajar period, the album reflects the extraordinary intersection of Persian miniature painting, manuscript illumination and lacquer decoration. Such objects were intended for intimate handling and viewing, allowing the extraordinary detail of the miniature painting to be appreciated at close range. Today, it would make a compelling addition to a collection of Persian art, Qajar painting...

This Chinese rosewood stand displays a brilliant red sheen. It's tabletop sized and can hoist anything into the limelight using a little elevati...

Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso swimming fish aquarium Italian art glass paperweight / sculpture. The piece is created in the manner of designer Riccardo Licata and the ...

Gorgeous stylized starfish sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on the un...

Gorgeous stylized sitting cat sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on the...

Solid red marble with brass accent stem apple paperweight or sculpture, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 3" x 3.75"H. #3539

A crystal ball decorative sphere decorative object with Chinoiserie wood base, circa late-20th century. A great piece for a shelf, cocktail table, credenza, etc. Very good condition ...

Antique Chinese wooden cart wheel, ?a rough handhewn round hardwood wheel with square cut for an axle; worn and eroded to a wonderful crude shape and...

Gorgeous stylized bunny rabbit sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on th...