Gesso Decorative Objects

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...

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...

Wonderful faux burr walnut picture frame Painted and gilt on gesso Original patina. A delightful colour The measurement given below is the outside of the frame Internally it meas...

Beautiful and impressive gold frame, entirely in classic Baroque style, elaborately decorated with acanthus leaves, flowers, and a ribbon pattern all around; a very high-quality fram...

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

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...

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.

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...

Crafted in Spain, circa 1680, this antique carved wooden bust depicts the head of Christ with a strikingly expressive, devotional presence typical of the Haute Époque period. The scu...

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...

Beautiful and impressive gold frame, entirely in classic Baroque style, elaborately decorated with acanthus leaves, flowers, and a ribbon pattern all around; a very high-quality fram...

An exceptionally rare antique German Renaissance carving by Stephan Rottaler (1581-1533), Bavaria circa 1500. The carving is by Stephan Rottaler, Landshut, Germany, an architect who ...

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

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...

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...

Antique Italian frame from the second half of the 19th century. Finely carved and gilded wood and plaster furniture of beautiful design and quality. The frame can hold a mirror or pa...

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...

Large, gilded vintage pine frame with beautiful age patina, XL size, entirely in classic Baroque style, decorated with elegant acanthus leaves and patterns, XL size, first half of th...

This early 18th-century carved giltwood double cherub wall appliqué is a substantial and highly sculptural fragment, European in origin. Formed as two closely arranged cherub heads f...

BEAUTIFUL HANDBAG, Year 1950. Fantastic paper-covered plaster mannequin, all original. Complete with wooden arms without hands and fixed on an iron base. The price of shipping is ...

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...

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...

Vintage Greater Kudu Horns on Sculptural Taxidermy Form. A striking vintage greater kudu shoulder mount, featuring a magnificent set of deeply spiraled horns with multiple twists - ...

CARVED WOOD HORSE FORM, POSSIBLY USED AS A MOLD MASTER FOR PAPIER-MÂCHÉ PRODUCTION Probably French, mid-to-late 19th century 22 3/4" H x 6 7/8" D x 20 7/8" W A carved hardwood mode...

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 ...

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...

This hand-carved wooden figure represents the Virgin Mary as a child, known as Niña María, a revered devotional subject in Spanish Colonial art. Crafted in 19th-century Guatemala, th...

A late 20th-century Georgian Revival decorative pineapple. A large decorative pineapple finial with gilt surface, raised on a square plinth base. Long associated with hospitality an...

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...

Beautiful gold-colored vintage pine frame with a lovely, characterful patina of age, entirely in the classic Baroque style, elaborately decorated with elegant and graceful acanthus l...

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

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...

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

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...

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...

Beautiful gold-colored vintage pine frame with a lovely, characterful patina of age, entirely in the classic Baroque style, elaborately decorated with elegant and graceful acanthus l...

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...

Bring a touch of timeless elegance and rustic charm to your home with this beautiful mid-20th century terracotta horse head sculpture. Artistically crafted from clay, this bust captu...

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...

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

An Italian pair of hand-painted paper mâché male busts. These vintage art decorations from Italy have been artfully composed of paper mâché and hand-painted in the depiction of two b...

Title: Pygmy rabbit. A cast black gesso and raw graphite resin sculpture by Darla Jackson. Date: 2016. Length: ca. 4 3/4 in. Also available in bronze on commission basis ...

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

19th Century country house dinner gong figure We are proud to offer an exceptional 55-inch-tall fine figural country house dinner gong figure in the form of an oriental man which is hand carved pine with gesso detail. All section carved body, shaped bamboo legs and midsection detail with glass eyes. With long ponytail real hair detail. Wearing its original 19th century Chinese court official's winter hat made of soft black velvet and is covered with red silk fringe and hand-crafted brass and wood knob. The green colour knob on the top of the hat indicates that this hat was a Qing official's hat, and the knob is an imperial court cap knob button antique...

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

Large gold-colored vintage pine frame featuring a beautiful aged patina; designed in a classic Baroque style and adorned with acanthus leaves and a ribbon pattern along the border. D...

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.

3-681 Oversized impressive gesso male figural library sculpture.

Cast Gesso Bust of a Classical Roman Woman The cast gesso bust patinated to appear bronze mounted on a Rosso Brocatelle column form base.

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 ...

A cast gesso bust of Napolean from an Italian foundry

Antique pine frame gilded with gold leaf, featuring acanthus decoration on the corners, floral decoration, and a pattern all around, entirely in classic Baroque style, circa early 20...

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...

Elegant pair of carved wood and gilded plaster frames featuring rich floral and leaf motif decoration in relief. The solid wooden structure is enhanced by molded plaster appliqués an...