Gesso Decorative Objects

18th century Italian holy water font with two angels framed with polished agate coral wings on fossil coral.  The Italian holy water front is from a historical Italian church and is...

Beautiful, partially gilded vintage pine frame with a lovely patina of age, entirely in classic Baroque style, decorated with acanthus leaves, flowers, and patterns, first half of th...

Large, gilded vintage pine frame with beautiful age patina, XL size, entirely in classic Baroque style, decorated with elegant acanthus leaves and patterns, first half of the 20th century. With adjustment of the eyelet screw on the back, this frame can also be hung vertically. A lovely size frame for creative expression, ideal for use as a large hall mirror...

Large Ornate French Rococo Style Carved Ornate Gilt Wood Frame. This gorgeous hand-crafted frame has lots of charming details including shell motifs and cross hatch features. This su...

This old wooden gold-colored frame with a beautiful patina, entirely in classic Baroque or Rococo style, is decorated with acanthus leaves and embossed patterns. It's a beautiful, hi...

Beautiful antique wooden Corpus Christi (body of Christ) statue, sculpture, from around the beginning of the 18th century probably Flemish Beautiful wood carving and polychrome (pai...

Small gilded vintage pine frame with red velvet frame on the inside, completely in classic baroque style, decorated with acanthus leaves and a ribbon pattern all around, first half o...

A rare and most impressive Tyrolean antique hand carved and painted floor-standing torchiere altar lamp with rich detail and beautiful warm, rustic, distre...

Expertly cast and lacquered bronze finished sculpture of an atlas type figure supporting a bevelled 1" thick glass top. The base is a stepped and black lacquered rectangular plinth.

Large pair of beautiful 20th Century Italian hand carved lime wood swan planters. With a worn painted gesso finish. Traditionally used for weddings, ...

American gilt carved wood and gesso Eagle with extended wings perched on decorative acanthus floral motif, Early 19th century.  

An attractive carved wood figure of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, known as Guanyin in China, late Ming Dynasty, early 17th century, China. Guanyi...

Pair antique bronze patinated angel putti sconces. Italian late 17th century bronze putti with exceptional modeling seated on scrolled arms each ex...

Antique American gilt picture frame. Rabbet measures 12.5" x 10.5" Perfect for a 12" x 10" painting. '

Pair of 18th century Venetian Baroque appliques in 'Legno Dorata'. Each with three curved wire arms clad in water gilt gesso, terminating in carved water giltwood candle cups. Very g...

Italian frame from the late 19th century. Richly carved and chiseled wood and plaster furniture with high-quality floral and fruit decorations. A beautifully sized and striking frame...

Chinoiserie pagoda. Very decorative Italian painted plaster and wood three-tiered pagoda alla Mongiardino emanating from marine inspired grotto base with four masks issuing water in...

Fabulous wooden rectangular frame with fantastic patina. This wood frame will accommodate a 12x9 piece of artwork. Add some vintage charm to your favorite water color, print of oil p...

Make a statement on your mantel, enfilade or tabletop with this antique "Haute Epoque" carved santo figure. Created in Spain, circa 1680, the bust is set ...

Spectacular pair of Griffin (lion) motif French architectural 23k giltwood Boiserie relief mirrored panels. Each panel is expertly detailed with carved griffins flanking a floral urn...

Completely hand-crafted in 18th century Spain, this sculpture of the Virgin Mary of Immaculate Conception stands 1.5 meters / 5 feet tall, is topped by a silver halo / crown, and was most certainly created for devotional purposes, to be displayed in a church or chapel. Besides its impressive size, this sculpture is an excellent, truly museum-quality example of the Spanish “Estofado” polychrome technique, developed during the Gothic period to imitate rich brocade fabrics. The finely carved “fabric” areas of the sculpture would be first covered in gesso, and then a layer of gold leaf would be applied. The gold leaf would then be painted over with various colors of tempera paints. Once dry, the painted surface would be incised or scratched away in patterns, revealing the gold beneath. The sculpture was professionally restored in 2022 by a firm that is often contracted by the Spanish government to work on historic building interiors and museum pieces. The virgin was carefully cleaned, repaired and its condition stabilized. A complete and fully-illustrated restoration report will be included with purchase. Often confused with the virgin birth of Jesus, the belief that the Blessed Virgin Mary herself was conceived “immaculately” without original sin has been variously defended and debated within the Catholic Church since the pre-Middle Ages. For centuries, artists struggled to create an acceptable visual representation of this highly abstract concept, in part taking inspiration from the Book of Revelation and other scriptural sources. In this case, we see the Virgin standing on a half moon (biblically inspired, though also an ancient symbol of chastity) with her long natural hair loose down her back, another indication of purity. Both her white tunic and flowing blue mantle...

A fine antique French eight day mantle clock, gilded and fitted with Sevres porcelain plaques, circa 1830. An early French silk suspension clock, with an eight day time and strike movement, gently sounding the hours and half hour on a bell. The clock is housed in an extravagant gilded gesso Rococo style case and standing on an integral plinth. The clock with a silvered dial having a cuff of engine turned decoration around the center and black Roman numerals to the outside of the dial and the retailer's name "Carl Muller in Berlin" to the center. The base of the clock is fitted with a round hand-painted floral 'Sevres' porcelain plaque, the clock plinth is fitted with a rectangular 'Sevres' plaque, hand-painted with a pastoral scene with a young courting couple and grazing sheep & goats. The clock has just been professionally overhauled and cleaned, it runs and keeps good time, the gilded case and silvered dial and porcelain plaques are in remarkable condition, a very fine clock...

American portrait oil on canvas of a young ship captain holding a spyglass with a sailing ship, crew in rowboat, and gulls in lower background mounted in the original decorative gilt...

A stunning pair of late 18th-Century to early 19th-Century Italian carved gilt wood tripod floor pricket altar candlesticks or torchieres. These gorgeous cathedral candlesticks...

A finely detailed devotional figure of the infant Christ (Niño Dios), typical of 19th-century Guatemalan religious art. Carved in wood with polychrome decoration and inset glass eyes...

Fabulous wooden rectangular frame with fantastic gilt. This wood frame will accommodate artwork 12x14 . Add some vintage charm to your favorite water color, print of oil painting wit...

On offer here is a stunning pair of 100% original gold leaf gilt and polished corner consoles, meticulously hand-carved from solid linden wood. Made in southern France around 1710, t...

Early 20th Century French Clock Tower Automaton Figures A rare matched pair of French (Paris) clock tower automaton figures, in the form of oriental male dressed dancing figures. Dat...

Italian set of Five death mask Italian death mask cast, circa 1930s. Showing in the 19th century glass country cabinet.The price is only for the mask t...

This Incredible Carved Wood and Gesso Gilded Winged Angels and Rooster Cartel Clock is a true masterpiece that beautifully combines European craftsmanship with exquisite decorative d...

Classic gilded vintage pine frame with a distinctive patina of age, entirely in Baroque style, decorated with elegant acanthus leaves, patterns, and flowers, circa the first half of ...

A fine carved pine and specialist aged gesso decorated large wall applique in the form of a half palm tree. The inspiration taken from Spencer House.

18th century exceptional Italian carved wood and polychromed figure depicting baby Jesus holding the world in his hand, he has halo made from sterling silver and the globe is also sterling silver.This piece would have originally been dressed in an elaborate gown and would have been changed into different attire depending on the holy season. Extremely detailed and the carving is exceptional. this piece came from a very reputable merchant in Verona, I did inherit it from my mother in Law...

Pair of French gilt wood and gesso decorative carved foliage and gadrooned hanging wall brackets, Early 19th century.

This is a custom tree from floor lamp by Frances Elkins from the estate of Elkin's daughter, Katherine Elkins Boyd. This whimsical lamp is carved in wood and finished in Gesso. It is...

Large golden pine frame with a beautiful age patina, XL size, entirely in classic Baroque style, decorated with elegant acanthus leaves and patterns, XL size, vintage object from cir...

The object shown in the image is a stand or column clock. This type of clock is designed to be placed on the floor, serving as a piece of furniture. The model shown has a metal frame...

Narrow gold-colored pine frame with a beautiful patina of age, entirely in classic Baroque style, decorated with elegant acanthus leaves, tendrils, and patterns. This vintage piece d...

Plaster mannequin by Christian Dior. Good condition. Thank you

This beautiful life-size plaster cast of the singing angels by Luca della Robbia and part of a collection of plaster casts from a Florentine collector, faithfully represents the orig...

This plaster bust made in 19Thc depicts a male figure, probably a distinguished personage or wealthy gentleman. was enriched and embellished with a decoration of natural polychrome s...

From the 1700s through the early 1800s, European aristocrats developed a fascination with ancient Egyptian culture and design that culminated in a full Egyptian Revival. Prominent figures such as Marie Antoinette and Napoleon Bonaparte commissioned rooms decorated with Egyptian motifs. This cultural moment reflects a fascination with a sophisticated civilization of great artists and pharaohs. The Regency era possessed very little knowledge of the Great Pyramids or hieroglyphics, a quality that lent Egyptian art interpretation a compelling air of mystique. This English Regency period gilt carving depicts a popular figure of borrowed Egyptian motif: the Sphinx. Recognized among educated circles as a symbol of brilliance in the ancient past, the Sphinx was well-known as a mythological creature who destroys those who failed to answer her riddle. Such a piece as this, excellent in detail and craftsmanship, may have once graced the mantle of a gentleman’s study or been exchanged as a gift between British scholars. The beautiful gold surface has been achieved by an artful combination of gilt and gesso; the art enthusiast will appreciate the intricate texture realized in the carving’s hair and tail as well as the delicate detailing of the saddle. Borrowing from the Egyptians, the Greeks had their own interpretation of the Sphinx. Greek mythology chronicled the Sphinx as being the daughter of Orthous and Chimera or Laius and attributed the riddles, which she proposed, as having been taught to her by the Muses. Crowned with a Grecian diadem and having a refined expression, she evokes an ancient yet reserved intellect. For the modern-day enthusiast of classical Greek art...

A Nineteenth Century European gilt and gesso mirror carved in the Neoclassical style having festoons of C scrolls upon a diapered ground and bead...

A rare wooden casket with polychrome and gilded pastiglia relief, Italy, 15th century. The box is adorned with four finely executed scenes from the life of an unknown martyr — beautifully preserved and remarkably vivid after centuries. Dimensions: 15.5 × 10.4 × 9 cm Provenance: Dutch private collection In overall good condition for its age, with minor losses to the surface and possible retouching to the polychromy. The ball feet are likely later additions. Pastiglia [paˈstiʎʎa], an Italian term meaning "pastework", is low relief decoration, normally modelled in gesso or white lead, applied to build up a surface that may then be gilded or painted, or left plain. The technique was used in a variety of ways in Italy during the Renaissance. White lead pastiglia was a north Italian speciality, produced between about 1450 and 1550. Six workshops were identified by Patrick M. De Winter, although their location remains uncertain; the Workshop of the Love and Moral Themes, whose products seem the most numerous, was possibly at Ferrara, where the painter Cosimo Tura began his career gilding caskets. Venice is also thought to have produced them. Other workshops identified by De Winter include the "Workshop of the main Berlin casket" and "Workshop of the Cleveland Casket". The subjects were typically classical, drawn from both mythology and Ancient Roman history (especially the early period covered by Livy), but biblical ones are also found. Compositions can often be shown to be borrowed from another medium, such as prints or bronze plaquettes...

A Roman style gesso over plaster carved head of the god Jupiter on circular base. Emanating the grandeur of ancient Rome, this verist representation of the god Jupiter, intricately c...

This is a Large Gessoed Wooden Sculpture of Saint Peter. It depicts a barefoot male Saint with a white hair and beard standing up. The sculpture robe portrays the “Estofado” techniqu...

Contemporary Ceramic Golden Glazed Roaring Lion Sculpture Ceramic Statue with Silverleaf Ceramic Base Dimensions: 8.25" W X 6"D X 14.5"H

This beautiful 19th century Florentine rectangular lidded box is entirely decorated in the round with all typical Renaissance Italian patterns. The whi...

Antique Hand Carved Gilt Wood Basket Dish Vide poche bowl Table Center Piece Very Early 18th Century Giltwood Italian Baroque Centerpiece . This beautiful garniture on a desk a table or a console will add instant elegance A center piece on an entrance table . vibrant and charming . Old world charm traditional , decorative object for interior decoration design , A perfect gift during the holiday season , or special house warming present . It will be a great addition to your special collection in a library as part of the bibelot. Great shape Carved vide poche. A later copper center liner hand hammered to use as a Dresser caddy or valet tray and sundries bowl at the center . Home & Accessories collection...

More information coming soon… A rich and elegant giltwood frame from the Netherlands, which originally held a landscape painting. Constructed from wood and gesso with a gold leaf o...

Serie limitata di busti in gesso interamente decorati con conchiglie policrome e antichi frammenti lignei dorati. The individual pieces are characterized by colorful and precious det...

Rare French, 19th century, Empire. Large size carved wood and gesso gilt eagle, with its full body, swept back wings, pronounced talons, perched on a ball. Important size. Conditi...

An eye-catching conversation piece! This is a pair of large antique Italian giltwood candlesticks. They are just under three feet tall and were hand-crafted in Ital...

This tall and decorative pair of antique candlesticks was hand-carved in France circa 1780 in the Louis XV style. Each piece features a richly ornamented front with fluted columns, s...

This impressive 19th-century plaster sculpture depicts a classical Greek figure and was crafted in a French atelier. Standing at 180 cm tall, the sculpture is in very good condition,...

Pair of 19th century busts. These are 2 19th century Gesso painted busts of 2 archaeologists of the period. Measurements: 69 x 62 x 28 Y 65 x 60 x 30 Good condition.

Beautiful, classic frame gilded with gold leaf, entirely in the typical Baroque style, lavishly decorated with acanthus leaves, vines, flowers, and a dotted pattern all around. Made ...

Exclusively handcrafted piece. This sphere is created using the ancient Chinese papier-mâché technique – a millennia-old craft that eventually spread worldwide. Traditionally employe...

A unique and highly decorative pair of late 19th-century ceremonial urns from Thailand, circa 1900. These tall, hexagonal forms feature exquisite gilded surfaces richly adorned with ...

Renaissance period painted and giltwood candle holder or pricket - featuring four elaborately hand carved winged cherubs beneath an octogonal platform with the original hand forged i...