Italian Decorative Objects

Sterling Silver turtle box 1970's Italian work 800 silver hallmark In perfect condition

Italian red marble desk letter holder, 20th century Desk letter holder with rectangular base in red marble. The structure is parallelepiped-shaped w...

A unique historic artifact – a Roman bronze statuette of Mercury, holding a caduceus, with ram at side, of Polykeitan style. Circa 1st Century A.D. Displayed on base pedestal. Polykl...

18th Century Neapolitan Crèche Figure of a Young Man wearing a hat and carrying a basket, dressed in traditional Italian garments. Creche figu...

Eugenio Patterino Italian Sculptures Chinoiserie Italian glazed Terracotta figurines Composed a Chinoiserie man and woman in a Chinese 1950s outfit Ma...

This finely executed bust of a Naiad is attributed to the neoclassical sculptor John Gibson (1790 – 1866). A Naiad was a type of mythological water nymph and is depicted here with her head bowed and cocked slightly to the side, displaying her strong neo-Hellenistic profile. In her hair, the nymph wears a headdress that is comprised of long and slender reed leaves, which not only identifies her iconographically as a water spirit, but draws a close comparison with those worn by the female figures in John Gibson’s Hylas Surprised by the Naiades (1827 - 1837) (fig.1). The downwards and off-centre orientation of our Naiad bust mirrors that of the taller figure on the left of the group, who rests her cheek on the head young Hylas (fig.2) Her facial physiognomy follows the neo-Hellenistic archetype established by Gibson and can be closely compared with his Tinted Venus – one of the most important statues of the Victorian era (1851–56, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool) (fig.3). While Gibson’s Tinted Venus is known best for its controversial polychrome ‘tinting’, the essential structure of the face—broad brow, finely drawn nose, wide (and slightly drooping) almond-shaped eyes - provided a template that Gibson returned to repeatedly in his depiction of mythological maidens. Critics of the time noted the consistency of his female types, with some seeing their idealised severity as an antidote to the sentimentality of much mid-Victorian sculpture (fig.4 – 6). The facial physiognomy is also very similar to a drawing by Gibson at the Royal Academy that depicts Hero weeping over the dead body of Leander (fig.7). The socle style of the present work also finds comparisons with Gibsons busts of Cupid and Aurora. This was of course somewhat standardised, but it is interesting to note the extent of their similarity with our bust. John Gibson RA is considered by many to be the greatest British sculptor of the nineteenth century working in the Neoclassical style. It is hard to overestimate the impact Rome had on the life and art of the artist. He first arrived in the city around 1817, when he was just twenty-six, and remained a resident there until his death. Not only did Rome’s ancient sculptural treasures and architectural fragments offer Gibson a lifetime of inspiration, but the Grand Tourists who poured into Rome in the first half of the nineteenth century provided him with many commercial opportunities. These rich or aristocratic travellers sought out mythological sculptures for their grand, palatial residences. However, since the papal decrees of Doria Pamphilj and Pacca of 1803 banned the export of ancient Greek and Roman works of art from Rome, there was a large demand for modern idealised sculpture in the Neoclassical style (Frasca-Rath 2016, p. 10). During his early days in the city he had the great fortune to train under both Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen (Roscoe and Hardy 2009, p. 522). He referred continuously to Canova as his “master”, particularly in his memoirs, which he dictated to Margarete Sandbach at the beginning of the 1850s; these were subsequently published by Lady Eastlake in 1870. Moreover, he claimed to be Canova’s last pupil in a letter to Antonio Gacini, Secretary of the Royal Academy in Milan in 1861, written to thank the Academy for accepting him as an Honorary Member: “The first instruction which I received in my art was from an Italian. It was Canova whose pupil I became in the year 1817 and studied under him for five years when he died. I was his last pupil” (Royal Academy Archive GI/1376). By 1821, Gibson had established his own studio in the via Fontanella, off the via Babuino. From here he aimed to produce sculpture of “the sublime and the purest beauty”, believing that the sculptor’s role was to select and combine the most beautiful parts of nature to create a harmonious whole, which would delight and elevate the viewer. By the mid nineteenth century he was one of the few remaining exponents of the so-called ‘pure’ and ‘neo Hellenistic’ style of sculpture, resolutely upholding the Neoclassical ideals established by Wincklemann, in a period when naturalism and modern subjects preoccupied the majority of artists in Europe (Turner, ed., 1996, p. 598). Gibson was convinced of the importance of disseminating artistic ideas through the younger generations, an ideal no doubt impressed upon him by Canova, and established ‘the British Academy of Arts in Rome’. His students included William Theed (1804–1891), Benjamin Spence (1822–1866), Harriet Hosmer...

A bowl by Capodimonte in ivory white porcelain divided in three sections with gold edges. Marked with sticker Visconti and the crowned N. Perfect for different snacks or jewelry. No...

Stucco head of a Roman figure. Signed on the back (unknown). The head is separate from the base.

This Mid-Century Modernist hand-blown Murano glass dish showcases the exceptional craftsmanship for which Murano glassmakers are celebrated. Created in Italy circa 1960, this piece i...

A fine art glass Baluster form vase by Vittorio Zecchin for Venini. Entitled "Veronese". Executed in clear glass with air bubbles and slightly raised threads of opaque white glass. ...

Fantastic pair of green and red multifaceted decorative vases in blown "sommerso" multifaceted Murano glass. These stunning objects were hand-made in Italy during the 1960s by Mandru...

Hand-blown Murano Celadon Venetian Scavo Glass Urn Vase, 2 Handles Offered for sale is a wonderful 1980s Murano glass vase that is hand -bl...

Murmansk Fruit Bowl in Brass with plated Silver. The "Murmansk" is a fruit bowl is one of the first designs produced by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis in 1982. The sleek bowl is plated silver over brass, and sitting on six stepped legs...

Unique Lined Onyx Jewelry Box with Malachite Hippopotamus Handle circa 1960's Artist Unknown The interior of the box is lined Box 4" D x 6" W x 2 1...

Beautiful and very large, vintage Murano hand blown pink bubbles and golden egg Italian art glass Easter Bunny rabbit sculpture. The rabbit is very nicely detailed with a cute face, ...

This outstanding Mid-Century picture frame was crafted in Italy circa 1970. The stunning easel-type table photo holder features enamel on copper in a green color and chromed metal fr...

Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown opalescent white and caramel Italian art glass bunny rabbit sculpture / figurine. Documented to designer Archimede ...

Vase by iconic glass manufacturer Venini in Murano, Italy outside of Venice. This hand-blown piece features the famous “fazzoletto” or handkerchief design. The layered glass showcase...

Charming clock with walnut veneer case and gilt bronze finishes. The floral and phytomorphic garland decorations, such as pine cones, add a touch of elegance and antiquity. The feet ...

A rare horse bit tray designed by Gucci. This is an iconic trinket single dish-tray designed by the luxury house of Gucci in Milano Italy, back in the 1970s. It is very heavy and wa...

Massive Sommerso vase with faceted glass in Green and yellow glass cased into clear glass. Attributed to Mandruzzato, Italy, 1960s. Green glass with a layer of yellow glass cased in...

Small egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé, late 19th century, early 20th...

Pair 1960s Italy Hollywood Regency brass plume seven light candle sconces, not electrified.

Gold Fleck Costantini Murano glass vase encased in a profusion of applied filament glass. It is signed by Costantini Murano on the bottom.

Crystal bowl by Angelo Magiarotti for Cristalleria Colle.

An Italian Murano green and red art glass ashtray or small bowl vide-poche catchall in an oval teardrop shape, Midcentury Moder design, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Dimensions: 1.5...

Fontana Arte model "1810" beveled glass ashtray / Made in Italy, circa 1960s Measures: Length 7.5 inches / width 4.6 inches / height 1.25 inches Literature: Quaderno Fontana Arte n.3...

Mid-century travertine fish shaped desk organizer / sculpture attributed to Enzo Mari, Fratelli Mannelli, Italy, 1970s H 10 cm 4 × 30 cm Conditions: excellent consistent with ...

Italian ceramic decorative bottle with lid and handle by Bruno Gambone (circa 1980s). Visually and texturally, this piece seems to have its origins in antiquity. It is a sculptural w...

Rare and fine quality 19th century Italian Renaissance walnut carved miniature blanket chest or coffer. Fine carving in walnut wood on the fron...

A small square brown leather box with tooled gilt scrollwork and border detailing. The hinged lid opens to a plain wood interior. Attractive patina and light wear consistent with age.

21st Century violet porcelain and silver bronze table clock. This clock is finely chiseled lost wax castings and the porcelain is decorated in plati...

This striking pair of hand-blown Murano glass vases features organic sculptural striations in a vibrant viridian green, showcasing the artistry and tradition of Venetian glassmaking....

Supreme hand painted Monumental Porcelain Jaguar Sculpture, Spring Summer 2023. 34" ceramic hand painted jaguar with logo on side. Made in Italy exc...

Bitossi Lidded Ceramic Box, Italy, c.1955.

Small Italian blue painted wood art frame. Very detailed and charming art frame to add to a collection. Marked on the back, Made in Italy.

A gorgeous petite picture frame showing a pink pig. No restoration has been carried out on this charming little piece, which remains in nice functioning condition, wear is consistent...

Set of two Bitossi Aldo Londi for Cer Paoli Sahara range ceramic vases. Italy, 1960s. Ceramiche Paoli "Cer Paoli" was created at the end of the Second World ...

Italian Capodimonte style Candelabra in porcelainporcelain with 5 lights and 2 figures.Very elaborated with cherubs and loads delicated applied flowers and fruits.Minor restauration.

An art deco desk set manufactured in Italy in the Thirties, in original conditions with small signs of use and age, brass it's in original patina. Dimensions are of the Inkstand. Thi...

Box Malachite large all in white marble, box with lid with handle in real malachite stone with gold finish base.

Pair Of Silvered And Gilded Bronze Eight-Armed Table Candlesticks from the second half of the 1800s made with exuberant rocaille decoration rich in sinuous curves and plant motifs he...

Beautiful Murano hand blown Italian art glass vase. Created by a Murano glass company. A beautiful piece of art for any room.

Beautiful brown, yellow, orange and green striped planter. Designed by Aldo Londi for Rosenthal Netter, made in Itally.

Murano Blown Glass Gondola Ashtrays. Gorgeous vintage Murano Venetian hand-blown art glass sculpture of gondola boats one red, one green. A very beautiful...

Beautiful Murano Glass sculpture designed and fabricated by Pino Signoretto in Italy around 2000. It shows a octopus in different colors. This object is hand blown. Originally sig...

Timeless elegance encapsulated in a set of photo frames designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana arte. mod 1370\1 composed of a brass band, which in its curvature keeps the two hand-cut c...

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 luxury picture frame in malachite and gold wash sterling silver. The picture window measure 3x2 inches. Marked in bottom as shown ,Made in Italy and (star) 391 FI , as Fir...

Large Pair of Venetian Gilt & Polychromed Tole Candle Sconces Italy, circa 1890s 26" H x 15" W x 9" D This impressive pair of late 19th-century Venetian wall sconces exemplifies th...

Murano baby blue Scavo glass Murano Art glass bud vase, vessel, decanter Mid-Century Modern made in Italy in 1980. Marked at the base, Made in Mura...

Article: Murano glass vase Origin: Murano, Italy Design: Flavio Poli attributed. Decade: 1970s This original vintage glass vases was designed by Flavio Poli (attributed)...

Marvelous blue glass bowl in Murano glass. This gorgeous piece was designed in Murano, Italy in the 1960s clearly in the style of Fontana Arte. This bowl is in amazing conditions w...

Made in Italy, 1950s. It is made in murano glass. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in perfect original condition and r...

Ceramic Vase by Claudia Frignani for Wunderkammer Studio's limited Lefka collection. Claudia Frignani is a Milan-based designer, ceramic artist, and creator known for her unique scu...

Crevasse Vase - polished stainless-steel vase that twists vertically to an irregular quadrilateral opening – the Zaha Hadid x Alessi collaboration is available exclusively with ZHD a...

Hand welded and ground Murano glass plate with an arrangement of polychrome murrines depicting numbers from zero to nine and nine to zero. Designed in 1975 and awarded during exhi...

Beautiful and large, antique Murano hand blown Millefiori Murrina flower mosaic Italian art glass decorative flower vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company, circa 1900-1920. Th...

A superb rectangular silver snuff box, masterfully crafted in in the early 20th century, featuring exquisitely chased and repoussé decoration. The hinged lid is richly adorned with s...

Vintage Italian Multi-Colored Geometric Design Empoli Glass Genie Decanter Bottles with Stoppers, and here is Individual Dimensions: Net Price for e...