15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
to
166
1,531
6,500
25,282
84,571
30,093
15,719
36,132
20,068
2,497
1,096
3,307
4,260
2,293
6,181
8,497
7,825
3,513
1,837
13
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2
1
1
849
352
310
269
209
671
529
626
212
203
191
186
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1,531
1,531
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Period: 15th Century and Earlier
Natural Dendritic Specimen Slab or Fossil Specimen
Located in Warrenton, OR
Natural Dendritic Specimen Slab or Fossil Specimen, probably from the Jurassic period.
A small stand will come with the fossil as a gift unless you instruct us not to include it (it ...
Category
Unknown Organic Modern Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Organic Material
Megalodon Tooth
Located in New York, NY
This authentic Megalodon tooth was recovered from the fossil-rich coastal deposits of South Carolina, a region celebrated for yielding some of the finest examples of this prehistoric...
Category
American Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
$399
A Stunning Knobby Ammonite Fossil Specimen, About 93 Million Years Old
Located in Warrenton, OR
A Stunning Knobby Ammonite Fossil Specimen, About 93 Million Years Old.
This is a very beautiful, multicolored (to our eye, taupe-brown, peach, white, tan) ammonite with leafy patter...
Category
American Organic Modern Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Shell, Organic Material
Conlinoceras Tarrantense Ammonite Fossil, 90-100 Million Years Old
Located in Warrenton, OR
Conlinoceras Tarrantense Ammonite Fossil, 90-100 Million Years Old.
The Conlinoceras Tarrantense Ammonite is considered rare and is highly sought after as a collector's item.
Thi...
Category
American Organic Modern Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Shell, Organic Material
Labradorite lightscape
Located in London, GB
This exceptional polished labradorite from Madagascar reveals a vibrant
play of color, with radiant turquoise, green, and golden flashes dancing
across its surface.
The internal irid...
Category
Malagasy Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Rock Crystal
$6,100
Extra Large Jurassic Ammonite Fossil 11 x 10.5 x 3.75" w/ Leafy Suture Patterns
Located in Warrenton, OR
Extra Large Jurassic Ammonite Fossil 11 x 10.5 x 3.75" w/ Leafy Suture Patterns. Comes with a second, tiny (1.25 x 1 x .5) ammonite, further demonstrating the size of this one.
This...
Category
Unknown Organic Modern Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Shell, Organic Material
Nice Self-Standing Ammonite Fossil, & Other Fossils, Emerging from Matrix
Located in Warrenton, OR
Nice Self-Standing Ammonite Fossil, & Other Fossils, Emerging from Matrix.
This intriquing specimen is about 95 million years old and was discovered / collected 50+ years ago in Fran...
Category
French Organic Modern Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Shell, Organic Material
Conlinoceras Tarrantense Ammonite Fossil, 90 to 100 Million Years Old
Located in Warrenton, OR
Conlinoceras Tarrantense Ammonite Fossil, 90 to 100 Million Years Old. A rare and highly sought after ammonite for collectors. The ammonite itself is somewhere between 5 and 6 inch...
Category
American Organic Modern Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Shell, Organic Material
Authentic Megalodon Tooth
Located in New York, NY
This authentic Megalodon tooth from South Carolina measures 4 inches tall and 3 inches wide, weighing 136 grams. The enamel crown preserves fine vertical striations, subtle gray-tan ...
Category
American Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Museum Quality Moldavite
Located in New York, NY
This outstanding 18.6 gram Moldavite specimen exemplifies the finest qualities of this rare tektite, treasured by collectors and institutions alike. Moldavite formed over 15 million ...
Category
Czech Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
$6,500
Egyptian Stone Relief of Man and Wife
Located in London, GB
This painted limestone relief is an exquisite example of New Kingdom relief carving from the apogee of Egyptian artistic production. Carved in raised relief - a labour-intensive tech...
Category
Egyptian Egyptian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Limestone
Mosaic-like Lunar Meteorite Cross Section
Located in London, GB
This spectacular polished slice of the Lunar meteorite Gadamis 004, reveals a mosaic-like interior, evoking the surface of the Moon as seen by the eye on a clear night. Weighing 149 ...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Genuine Sericho Pallasite Meteorite
Located in New York, NY
This luminous Sericho pallasite meteorite slice offers a captivating view into the early solar system. Dating back approximately 4.5 billion years, this stony-iron meteorite was discovered in Kenya and officially recognized in 2016, although the fall is believed to have occurred decades earlier.
This Sericho slice features a mosaic of orange and green Olivine – the gem variety of Peridot – suspended in a gleaming iron-nickel matrix. Especially when backlit, the Olivine crystals radiate with striking transparency and color.
Pallasites make up less than 1% of all known meteorites and are among the rarest and most beautiful of extraterrestrial materials. Thought to originate from disrupted asteroids in the early solar system, specimens like this one likely formed at the boundary between a molten metal core and a silicate-rich mantle – or through high-energy impacts between differentiated bodies. This meteorite slice offers a literal cross-section of planetary formation and destruction.
A true standout for any meteorite, mineral, or space memorabilia...
Category
Kenyan Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Other
Natural Ammonite Fossils Emerging from Matrix, Species Unknown
Located in Warrenton, OR
Natural Ammonite Fossils Emerging from Matrix, Species Unknown
This is about 4.5 inches wide in total. We do not know the species or where the fossil was found in this case.
Since t...
Category
American Organic Modern Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Shell, Organic Material
Starfish Fossil, Two Starfish Entwined in Matrix, 443 to 485 Million Years Old
Located in Warrenton, OR
Starfish Fossil, Two Starfish Entwined in Matrix, 443 to 485 Million Years Old. Ordovician Period
This is a compelling starfish fossil specimen; we don't typically see two starfish e...
Category
Moroccan Organic Modern Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Shell, Organic Material
Crotacephalina Trilobite From Morocco
Located in New York, NY
Add a dramatic piece of natural history to your collection with this beautifully preserved Crotalocephalina gibba trilobite from the Lower Devonian period, approximately 400 million ...
Category
Moroccan Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Limestone, Other
Fossilized Dire Wolf Skull
Located in New York, NY
This extraordinary fossilized dire wolf skull is a rare and remarkable artifact that offers a glimpse into the Ice Age. Featuring well-preserved bone structure, this specimen is a te...
Category
North American Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Roman Marble Head Fragment
Located in London, GB
This fine Roman marble head fragment, with broad nose, soft lips, and bearded chin, captures the likeness of one of the most important playwrights of...
Category
Italian Classical Roman Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
$48,251
55.77 Gram Seymchan Pallasite Meteorite Slice
Located in New York, NY
This Seymchan pallasite meteorite slice is a true natural masterpiece, showcasing a dazzling array of golden-hued Olivine crystals suspended in a lustrous iron-nickel matrix. Careful...
Category
Russian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Other
Fully Rooted Triceratops Tooth
Located in New York, NY
This fully rooted Triceratops tooth offers an exceptional glimpse into the life of one of the most iconic herbivores of the Cretaceous. This remarkably preserved specimen from the Up...
Category
American Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Megalodon Tooth – 4" High – Ver. III
Located in New York, NY
This significantly sized, fantastically serrated megalodon tooth is five to ten million years old out of South Carolina, USA. The megalodon was the most massive predatory shark to ev...
Category
American Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Vintage Clear Rock Crystal Quartz Tower / Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Admired since ancient times, clear rock crystal quartz is prized for its extraordinary natural design and beauty. This vintage 1970s tower is polished and presented in a wonderful to...
Category
American Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Quartz, Rock Crystal
Japanese Antique Pottery Jar 15th-16th Century/ Wabi-Sabi Vase/Shigaraki
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
I would like to introduce an attractive pot that gives you a sense of wabi-sabi.
It is "Shigaraki ware".
Shigaraki is a historical kiln located in Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
It is sa...
Category
Japanese Edo Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Ancient Egyptian Limestone Relief with Hieroglyphs
Located in London, GB
Egyptian New Kingdom Relief Fragment
Carved limestone
New Kingdom, circa 1550-1069 BC
12 x 16.5 cm
This beautiful fragment preserves three columns of neat hieroglyphs deeply carved ...
Category
Egyptian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Limestone
Fossilised Skull of Prehistoric Marine Reptile the Mosasaur, 70Million Years Ago
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Upper Cretaceous, about 70-65 million years ago (Maastrichtian)
Morocco
The skull is reconstructed in good proportions with fossil pieces found in a phosphate mine in Morocco.
I att...
Category
African Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Bone
Late-Medieval Knopped Bronze Candlestick Bell Base, Netherlands, 15th Century
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
An 15th Century Gothic socket candlestick in in bronze with a pronounced bell foot, integral drip tray, and a slender, knopped stem rising to a tall socket with an early clean-out ap...
Category
Dutch Medieval Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
T-Rex Tooth
Located in New York, NY
Discover a genuine piece of history with this stunning Tyrannosaurus Rex tooth from the famed Hell Creek Formation in South Dakota. This incred...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
$60,000
Antique Roman Marble Head of Venus 1st-3rd Century AD
Located in Doha, QA
A captivating Roman marble head of Venus, dating from the 1st–3rd century AD, exquisitely carved and presented on a bespoke marble pedestal styled as a classical column top. The deli...
Category
Italian Classical Roman Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Cypriot Bronze Age Terracotta Plank Idol
Located in London, GB
This extremely well-preserved, stylised Cypriot plank idol is an iconic form of human representation from Bronze Age Cyprus. Made from burnished earthenware with lime-filled incision...
Category
Cypriot Prehistoric Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Neolithic Carved Stone Disc Mounted On A Steel Base 2-3000 BC
Located in Stamford, CT
Neolithic hand carved stone disc with a hole in the center mounted on a modern steel base. This evocative ancient piece has a real presence that belies it's size. Wonderful color wit...
Category
Namibian Primitive Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Tyrannosaurus Rex Tooth Fossil
Located in London, GB
FOSSILISED TYRANNOSAURUS REX TOOTH
Circa 67 million years ago
H. 12.5 cm x W. 4.2 cm
PROVENANCE
Found in Butte County, South Dakota, USA, Summ...
Category
American Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
$130,968
Meteorite Fragment with Peridot Crystals in Iron Matrix
Located in London, GB
A complete cross section of one of the most beautiful meteorites known, displaying shimmering, translucent olivine and peridot gems, embedded in an iron-nickel metallic matrix.
The ...
Category
Chilean Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Authentic Megalodon Tooth
Located in New York, NY
This authentic Megalodon tooth fossil from South Carolina is an impressive collector’s piece measuring 5.13 inches tall and weighing 236 grams. With its broad triangular form, well-p...
Category
American Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Authentic Megalodon Tooth
Located in New York, NY
This authentic Megalodon tooth fossil from South Carolina measures 5.13 inches high and weighs 239 grams, making it a coveted collector’s specimen. The tooth displays a striking mix ...
Category
American Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Nayarit Pottery Fertility Female Figure With Child
By Nayarit Culture
Located in Dallas, TX
Nayarit Fertility Female Figure With Child
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit,
Ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE.
A seated terracotta female figure from the shaft tomb tradition, shown cradling an infant over her right shoulder - likely a symbolic representation of fertility, maternity, and the continuity of life. This expressive red-slipped sculpture is boldly modeled with exaggerated limbs and stylized facial features, impressed eyes, a broad nose adorned with a septum piercing, and ear ornaments. Her elaborate coiffure is incised with vertical striations and rises into a high crest, pierced at the top with a vent hole connecting to the hollow interior. Manganese blooms across the surface attest to its long burial. Such figures were ritually interred in shaft tombs to accompany the dead, offering symbolic protection or ensuring rebirth in the afterlife.
Dimensions: 4 Inches Wide x 8.4 Inches Height (10.2 cm x 21.1 cm)
Condition: Presents beautifully with restorations to the head.
Provenance: Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005
Legal to acquire under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14.
This Nayarit Figure...
Category
Mexican Pre-Columbian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
XL Jurassic Ammonite Fossil 15.5 x 14 x 5.5 Inches Apx, with Nice Ribs
Located in Warrenton, OR
XL Jurassic Ammonite Fossil 15.5 x 14 x 5.5 Inches Apx, with Nice Ribs. We think this is a Kranaosphinctes species.
We love the substantial ridges (also called ribs, spines, and nod...
Category
Unknown Organic Modern Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Shell, Organic Material
Giant Diplomytus and Cockerellites Fish Fossil Plate
Located in New York, NY
This large fossil plate is incredibly unique, featuring a long Diplomystus dentatus along with two Cockerellites (Priscacara) liops, fossilized in its natural matrix. The entire piec...
Category
American Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Large Sculptural Iron Meteorite
Located in London, GB
Stony-iron, pallasite - PMG
Circa 4.5 Billion y/o
Weight: 34.68 kg
Height (including base): 53 cm
Width: 29 cm
A magnificent and extremely sculptural specimen of the Seymchan meteor...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
$213,684
Impressive Amethyst Geode with Large Calcite
Located in London, GB
Magnificent Amethyst geode, a captivating treasure with a heart of intense purple and a unique large calcite, cradled in a custom rotating stand for a 360-degree view of its splendou...
Category
Uruguayan Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Amethyst, Quartz
Erotic Ancient Greek Wine Cup with Painted Eyes
Located in London, GB
A rare, erotic cup exemplifying the revelry and humour of ancient Greek culture, particularly within the context of symposia - the social drinking parties of the elite. This wine cup...
Category
European Classical Greek Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Enchanting Hemimorphite: Blue Stone Wonder from China
Located in London, GB
Immerse yourself in the captivating hues of this exceptional hemimorphite specimen from China. This unique piece showcases a mesmerizing gradient of colors, transitioning smoothly fr...
Category
Chinese Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Quartz
Extraterrestrial Iron Sphere from the Aletai Meteorite
Located in London, GB
A magnificent meteorite sphere, cut from the famous Aletai meteorite and polished to reveal the shimmering iron-nickel matrix and the beautiful crystalline Widmanstätten pattern — a ...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Lunar Meteorite - A Piece of the Moon
Located in London, GB
A beautiful section of the lunar meteorite Gadamis 003, discovered in the oasis Berber town of Ghadames, Libya, and revealing a magnificent greyish-white spotted interior, evoking th...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Pre Columbian clay pottery vessel
Located in View Park, CA
A Pre-Columbian pottery vessel. There are hand-sculpted vestiges of a face reminiscent of early figurative efforts. Patina includes traces of red cinnabar and mineral deposits, attes...
Category
North American Pre-Columbian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay
$304 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Large Quartz Crystal Cluster Specimen
Located in Rochester, NY
Very large quartz rock crystal cluster specimen with clear and semi-clear spire formations. Overall beautiful naturally aged antique condition. Look at all pictures and read conditio...
Category
Prehistoric Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Quartz, Crystal
Amethyst “Harp" with phantom calcites
Located in London, GB
This museum-quality Amethyst “harp” from Artigas, Uruguay, is a natural sculpture of exceptional beauty and rarity. The piece features a harmonious arrangement of high-quality Amethy...
Category
Uruguayan Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Amethyst, Quartz
Double Windowed Amethyst Geode with Agatised Borders and Rare Calcite Formation
Located in London, GB
The central element of this geode has been preserved with two windows
on each side, revealing gorgeous calcite formations sat on a blanket of
differentially tinted amethystine quar...
Category
Uruguayan Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Agate, Amethyst, Quartz
Antique Rare 15th Century Venetian Casket Former Dr. Albert Figdor Collection
Located in Doha, QA
This exceptional 15th-century Venetian painted casket is a rare example of early decorative art from the late Medieval to early Renaissance period in the Republic of Venice, Italy. H...
Category
Italian Renaissance Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
BrittleStar Fossil Specimen, 443 to 485 Million Years Old, Ordovician Period
Located in Warrenton, OR
BrittleStar Fossil Specimen, 443 to 485 Million Years Old, Ordovician Period
This is a stunning starfish fossil specimen that will make a very nice display. The brittlestar is clearl...
Category
Moroccan Organic Modern Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Shell, Organic Material
Alethopteris Species Fern Fossil Natural Specimen, 305+ Million Years Old
Located in Warrenton, OR
Alethopteris Species Fern Fossil Natural Specimen, 305+ Million Years Old. This is such a stunning piece that it simply must have a stand. If you like, this stand will be included a...
Category
American Organic Modern Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Organic Material
Whole Ammonite Fossil, Mineral Specimen, Jurassic Cretaceous Period #HJA
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Madagascar
Jurassic - Cretaceous Period, 200 - 145 million years old
8.75 x 7 x 2 in. / 22 x 18 x 5 cm
Weight: 4 lbs 14 oz/ 2.065 kg
Ammonites were cephalopods that resembled a s...
Category
Malagasy Other Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Precious Stone
Ancient Egyptian Monumental Temple Sphinxes
Located in London, GB
A pair of monumental limestone sphinxes of Pharaoh Nectanebo I, from the processional avenue of the Serapeum of Memphis, 30th Dynasty, circa 379 - 360 BC.
The sphinxes of the Serapeum have captivated travellers since Roman times. However, despite their significance, they are conspicuously absent from the collections of most major museums. Indeed, their existence in private hands is so improbable, and their imitations so numerous, that the present sphinxes were assumed to be modern copies throughout their recent ownership history. Finally recognised and conserved after an extraordinary chance discovery at a garden furniture sale...
Category
Egyptian Egyptian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Limestone
Collection of 15 Natural Prehistoric English Ammonite Fossils
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An interesting collection of fifteen natural, prehistoric English ammonite fossil specimens of varying shapes and sizes – ranging from 9.5 cm (3.74 in) wide to 2.5cm wide (0.98 in). ...
Category
English Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Tyrannosaurus Rex Tooth in Fossil Matrix
Located in London, GB
Tyrannosaurus Rex Tooth in Fossil Matrix.
Late Cretaceous, circa 65 Million years before present.
Lance Formation, Marchant Ranch Quarry, Niobrara County, Wy...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Matched Pair Split Ammonite Fossil Set Mineral Specimen
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Matched Pair Split Ammonite fossil mineral specimens
Jurassic - Cretaceous Period, 200 - 145 million years old
Measures: 5 x 4.25 x 0.5 in. / 13 x 10 x 1.5 cm
Height on custom d...
Category
Malagasy Other Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Important Sedes Sapientiae Virgin and Child also called "Throne of Wisdom"
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
IMPORTANT SEDES SAPIENTIAE VIRGIN AND CHILD
ALSO CALLED « THRONE OF WISDOM »
ORIGIN: FRANCE, BURGUNDY
PERIOD: EARLY 13th CENTURY
Height : 75 cm
Len...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Large Mexican Green Onyx Tower Obelisk Specimen Weighing 20 lbs.
Located in Miami, FL
Large Mexican Green Onyx Tower Obelisk Specimen Weighing 20 lbs.
Offered for sale is a very large specimen Green Onyx Tower Obelisk. It is a variation of the renowned Onyx stone, di...
Category
Mexican Organic Modern Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Onyx
Twin green tourmaline in quartz
Located in London, GB
A striking composition of nature’s elegance, this beautiful specimen
features two rich green tourmaline crystals dramatically piercing through
a luminous white quartz matrix.
The co...
Category
Brazilian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Quartz, Tourmaline
Pre-Columbian Standing Male Nude Figure
Located in Astoria, NY
Pre-Columbian Standing Male Nude Figure, probably Aztec, black burnished terracotta, mounted on ebonized wood base. 14.5" H x 7" W x 4.5" D. Provenance: From an Upper East Side Colle...
Category
Central American Pre-Columbian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Polychrome carved wood Virgin and Child from the 15th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
POLYCHROME CARVED WOOD VIRGIN AND CHILD FROM THE 15TH CENTURY
ORIGIN: SOUTH GERMANY, SWABIA, NUREMBERG REGION
PERIOD: 15th CENTURY
Height: 94,6cm
Width : 28 cm
Depth : 18 cm
Lime wood
Original Polychromy
Good state of conservation
From 1430 onwards, sculpture underwent a profound stylistic renewal which continued until 1530, the so-called late Gothic period. In the Germanic countries, original sculptures flourished in an expressive and sensitive vein.
This renewal was inspired by the art of Nicholas of Leiden, who was active in Strasbourg in the 1460's. His style broke with the refined and delicate art of the international Gothic style in force throughout Europe around 1400. The figures became more authentic and realistic. The bodies became denser. Clothes are animated by deep, broken folds, the fabrics are heavy and have a great decorative value. In addition, the polychromy is intended to be illusionistic. The painting makes it possible to restore the texture of the materials, the richness of the textiles and the natural skin tone of the characters.
The dissemination of images through engraving and the great mobility of the artists led to the success of this style, which conquered the Upper Rhine, Swabian, Tyrolean and Franconian regions, contributing to the formation of a common stylistic identity in these regions. The economic boom in the flourishing German cities was conducive to the development of original production. Attracted by this prosperity, numerous workshops were set up in order to meet the orders of religious communities, the Church and the laity, including a clientele of middle-class rockers.
This precious Virgin and Child is depicted standing on a crescent moon, her head encircled by a crown of tall flowers. Her long wavy hair spreads over her shoulders, framing her beautiful oval face. Under fine eyebrows drawn with a brushstroke, her almond-shaped, slightly drooping eyes look at the Child with infinite softness. She is dressed in a long red dress with a rounded neckline, belted under the chest. The heavy fabric of her dress spreads out in broken folds at her feet. On her shoulders she wears a golden cloak. The drapery has deep folds. She holds out her right hand while she holds the Christ Child with her left.
Christ, with his well-defined hair, is naked. His cheeks are highlighted with red, he holds an apple in his left hand and with the other hand makes a sign of blessing towards the faithful.
Virgins with Child on a crescent moon were very popular in the second half of the 15th century, especially as the central subject of altarpieces in southern Germany and Austria. The crescent moon on which Mary is standing is reminiscent of the Woman of the Apocalypse. Often equated with the Virgin Mary.
This episode is taken from the Book of Revelation (12:1-6)
1 Then a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. ; 2 She was pregnant, and she cried out because she was in labor, in pain from giving birth. ; 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: it was a great fiery red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads. ; 4 His tail swept down a third of heaven's stars and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth so that when she gave birth, he might devour her child. ; 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child who is to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was snatched up to God and his throne. ; 6 Then the woman fled into the desert, where God has prepared a place for her. There she will be taken care of for one thousand two hundred sixty days.
Some theologians see in this woman a reference to the Virgin Mary and in the child, Jesus.
This remarkable work is a very fine example of sculpture from Swabian workshops in the last decades of the 15th century. It presents all the characteristic stylistic elements: a highly girdled silhouette, an abundant drapery with angular folds, but also a great physical presence accentuated by the polychromy that restores the anatomical details. This group is made of a wooden log. The deep folds of the drapery highlight the movement of the Virgin holding the child.
Bibliography :
Sophie Guillot de Suduiraut, Dévotion et Séduction, Sculptures souabes des musées de France, vers 1460-1530, Paris musée du Louvre-Éditions somogy, 2015
“Revelation 12 - Common English Bible...
Category
German Gothic Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
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Turquoise Foo Dogs
Very Large Antique Clock
Vintage Blown Glass Bird
Vintage Ceramic Mermaid
Vintage Cologne Bottles
Vintage Copper Decor
Vintage Desimone Pottery
Vintage Lion Figurine
Vintage Murano Glass Cat
Vintage Pot Plant Holders
West Germany Yellow