15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
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Period: 15th Century and Earlier
Etruscan "Bucchero" Black Ware Two Handle Vase
Located in CA, CA
An Etruscan "bucchero" black ware two handle vase dating from the 6th century BC.
Adorned with boar designs in relief around the body of vessel and a single standing human figure in...
Category
Italian Other Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
French Medieval Carved Stone Fragment Depicting A Dragon/ Mythical Figure
Located in Buisson, FR
Amazing period piece. Beautiful hand-carved fragment depicting a dragon / mythical creature. Once had its place in wall of a medieval church or chapel in the South of France. Weather...
Category
French Medieval Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
$5,064 Sale Price
37% Off
Antique Gothic Carved Limestone Model of a Madonna or Venus
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique limestone carving.
Modeled as a Madonna.
With her head slightly tilted, holding an orb in one hand, and with her other hand resting on her breast.
By repute ...
Category
Unknown Gothic Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Limestone
Polished Golden Crystal Quartz Geode with Baroque Pearl
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
A rare large polished quartz geode with cream and golden hues and naturally forming crystal druzy formations.
This specimen is from the Appalachian region of Kentucky. This was dug by hand and includes golden druzy crystal formations. This is a particularly large geode specimen...
Category
American Prehistoric Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Rock Crystal
Etruscan Bronze Statuette of Discus Thrower
Located in London, GB
A remarkably fine example of Archaic sculpture. A figure of a discophoros, or discus bearer, standing with his right leg forward, gripping a discus in his right hand, the left arm raised with an open palm. Described with admiration in Münzen und Medaillen's 1961 auction, "The figure is a masterpiece and illustrates with rare vividness the essence of good Etruscan sculpture...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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
Dryosaurus Altus Dinosaur Femur Fossil // 150 Million Years Old
Located in New York, NY
This is the well preserved and fully intact fossilized femur of a Dryosaurus altus, found in Emery County, Utah within the famous fossil-rich Morrison Formation spanning much of the ...
Category
American Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Exquisite 13th Century Rock Crystal and Gold Bowl in Superb Condition
Located in London, GB
Rock crystal vessels were highly demanded and valuable in Medieval times. Inventories from European royal houses and the highest aristocratic families detail the important and sophisticated collections of ewers and bowls. Rock crystal has also been used extensively in religious art. Fine European reliquaries were also made of Rock Crystal including gems, enamel and other precious materials. The work of rock crystal is very ancient. The materials has been worked and valued for its solidity and its purity: it has been believed to be water ice permanently frozen.
Our superb example is a gold-mounted rock crystal bowl with enamel.
The items origin is not clear and various features and characteristics may lead us to think of different origins and periods of creation.
A single piece of stone mounted with gold could be a Milanese work. Although the cut could be French as similar pieces belonged to the French royalty (especially the art lover Duc de Berry, (1340-1416)). French and Italian crystal cutters have been active at the same time and it is often difficult to differentiate their works.
Islamic art also influenced European artists. The famous Fatimid treasury provided examples of their sophistication and quality. The seven ewers carved for the Fatimid Imans (known as "The Magnificent Seven") display impressive quality of both rock crystal and enamelled mounts.
Even though not identical to works by French silversmith Jean-Valentin Morel who was appointed goldsmith to Queen Victoria in 1852 or Reinhold Vasters (1927-1909) another renown German goldsmith who embellished older rock crystal items, there are similarities between these works. Both reduce their use of colour to black and white on pure gold mounts. Moreover the black enamel design is quite similar. Also, no gems are included and no human figure is represented.
Sotherby's described our bowl as a "German Rock crystal bowl with later gold mounts, 15th century." Other items from the period from Germany or Austria are usually silver mounted and the decorations are more colourful and include gems or human figures but they have in common enamel motifs.
In our case, the gold foot, handles and rim could date from the 1900s. An expert has established the foot, handles and rim are pure gold. The goldsmith responsible for the improvement of the bowl is possibly the most famous Reinhold Vasters whose work has been displayed in the greatest museums such as the V&A in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The Rock Crystal bowl we have is gold mounted. The gold shows in enamelled details that are black and white. The gold handles are also enamelled with black acanthus-like leaves.
The enamelling method could be "champleve" or "painting metal". The metal that is usually preferred is copper but these techniques are also applied to gold.
The bowl itself could be from the 14th century. It's cut reminds of an estimated 14th century rock crystal ball bearing the Buoncompagni family arms...
Category
Italian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Rock Crystal
Fossilized Turtle Skull
Located in New York, NY
A beautifully preserved fossilized turtle skull from the Kem Kem fossil formation in Morocco, exhibiting outstanding anatomical detail. The bone structure remains highly intact, with...
Category
Moroccan Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Gogotte Formation
Located in London, GB
Gogotte formation
circa 30 Million y/o
Measures : 42 x 21 x 63 cm.
A magnificent example of a gogotte formation, composed of thick swirls and fo...
Category
French Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Sandstone
$65,000
Ancient Greek Terracotta Antefix in Form of the Head of Artemis Bendis, Taranto
Located in Antwerp, BE
Ancient Greek mould-made terracotta antefix decorated with the female head of the Goddess Artemis Bendis.
Western Greek, Italy, Taranto, early 4th century BC.
Two small feathered win...
Category
Italian Classical Greek Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Large Chondrite Meteorite with Regmaglypts
Located in London, GB
NWA 12759
Stone, Chondrite - L5
18.3 KG
“This specimen of the NWA 12759 L5 chondrite has a smooth posterior fusion crust where meteoritic melt pooled as the rock descended through the atmosphere and was heated by friction with molecules of air. The meteorite is from the L-chondrite asteroid that was destroyed by an energetic collision 470 million years ago.”
Dr Alan E. Rubin, PhD Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, UCLA
Detached from its parent body by a mighty impact, this large, oriented meteorite travelled over a hundred million miles through space before falling to Earth in the North African desert. Beautiful regmaglypts radiate from the apex of its cone shaped nose. These elongated dimples formed when streaks of superheated molten rock streamed off the meteor’s surface as it blazed through the atmosphere. The entire piece is coated in a glossy, umber-coloured fusion crust and close examination reveals remnants of encrusted, orange dirt.
Whilst most meteors tumble as they travel through the Earth’s atmosphere, oriented meteorites...
Category
Moroccan Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Franconia Meteorite
Located in New York, NY
Found in 2002 at Franconia in Mojave, Arizona, this H5 chondrite meteorite can be found strewn amongst many other varieties of metorite in what has been coined a Dense Collection Are...
Category
American Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
$3,675 Sale Price
25% Off
Large Bolivian Amethyst Cluster Specimen Weighing 14.5 lbs.
Located in Miami, FL
Large Bolivian Amethyst Cluster Specimen Weighing 14.5 lbs.
Offered for sale is a large Bolivian Amethyst Cluster example with gorgeous vibrant color and huge points. Bolivian amet...
Category
Bolivian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Amethyst
Ancient Egyptian Painted Relief Carving of a Man and his Wife
Located in London, GB
A superb raised relief, carved in fine native limestone during a golden era of cultural and artistic flourishing in ancient Egypt. The scene portrays a high-ranking official, elegant...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Limestone
Late Bronze Age Sword
Located in London, GB
Saint Nazaire Sword, Late Bronze Age, circa 800-900 B.C.
An exceptionally well preserved Bronze Age sword, with elegant, finely incised decorations,...
Category
French Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
$75,000
Monolithic Stone Meteorite
Located in London, GB
Unclassified Meteorite
Stone
Height: 36.83 cm
42.5 kg
A dramatic extraterrestrial sculpture, of monolithic form, covered in a thick grey-brown fusion crust and with areas of sandy deposits from untold years spent on the desert floor. Formed in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter during the formation of our solar system, some 4.55 billion years ago, this large stone would have been separated from its parent body by an enormous impact before journeying through interplanetary space and eventually reaching Earth.
Upon atmospheric entry it would have reached cosmic velocity, heating the surrounding air to 1700°C and producing a large ball of fire. The heat was sufficient to melt the outer surface of the stone, exposing a new surface which in turn also melted away, losing as much as 95% of its initial mass before reaching the ground. The last molten layer to form as it collided with the Earth covered the stone in a layer of fusion crust, evidence of the incredible impact force delivered by this extraordinary specimen.
“This unclassified stone meteorite was found in Northwest Africa. It has a relatively smooth, dark brown, slightly weathered fusion crust; some small melt veins are visible on the surface. Due to the near-absence of terrestrial rocks in this region of the Sahara, meteorite hunting in this area has yielded many notable discoveries.”
Dr Alan E. Rubin, PhD Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences...
Category
North African Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
$89,000
Small Korean Celadon Ceramic Vase with Slip Inlay Goryeo Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small Korean ceramic celadon bottle vase with inlay design from Goryeo Dynasty (918 to 1392AD) circa 12th century. The vase has a classic baluster form with a slightly flared mouth...
Category
Korean Archaistic Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Genuine Natural Large Carcharodontosaurus Dinosaur Tooth
Located in New York, NY
Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa.
Cretaceous Age 65 million years
Carcharodontosaurus is one of the longest and heavi...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
24 Gram Brahin Meteorite Slice
Located in New York, NY
This meteorite was acquired from the Bethany Sciences collection and was once a part of the private collection of Meteorite Man Robert A. Haag. It includes an informational Certifica...
Category
Belarusian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, 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
Paradoxides Trilobite Fossil
Located in New York, NY
This Paradoxides trilobite specimen presented as-unearthed in matrix dates back over 499 million years to the Middle Cambrian Epoch. Paradoxides is one of the earliest known genus of...
Category
Asian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Sculptural Iron Nickel Meteorite
Located in London, GB
A magnificent and extremely sculptural specimen of the Seymchan meteorite, recovered in the Russian Far East. This rare and large end cut preserves the patinated and partially melted...
Category
Russian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
$205,000
Collection of Organic Modern Petrified Wood
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
A collection of four multi-toned polished petrified wood pieces on a coordinating petrified wood slab.
Petrified wood is a special type of fossilized wood. This type of mineralized...
Category
American Organic Modern Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Petrified Wood
$2,000 / set
Genuine Natural Spinosaurus Dinosaur Tooth
Located in New York, NY
Spinosaurus (meaning "spine lizard") is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in what now is North Africa, during the upper Albian to upper Turonian stages of the Cretaceous period...
Category
Moroccan Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Pair of Neolithic Black Basalt Axe Heads, Great Britain Circa 2200 BC
Located in Stamford, CT
Two Black Basalt carved and polished Neolithic axe heads mounted on steel bases. These wonderful ancient objects are a testament to the artisans who crea...
Category
English Primitive Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Very old Iranian blue-glazed pottery bowl/12th century/Persia pottery
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This pottery was made around the 12th century, likely in the region around Iran.
In Japan, this type of pottery is commonly known as "Persian pottery."
In addition to polychrome-pain...
Category
Persian Other Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Tang Dynasty Large And Important Pottery Horse TL Tested
Located in Dallas, TX
Large And Important Tang Dynasty (618-907AD) Pottery Horse TL Tested. China.
Ca. 618-907 AD A beautiful pottery figure of a horse. The animal is shown in a...
Category
Tang Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Tang Dynasty Full Set Of Painted Pottery Zodiac Figures TL tested
Located in Dallas, TX
Tang Dynasty Full Set Of Painted Pottery Zodiac Figures (TL tested)
The Thermoluminescence Report (Item #185404) will accompany this sale.
A Rare Set of Chinese Pottery Zodiac Figures from the Tang Dynasty painted with black and orange pigments. The conventional order of the twelve Chinese zodiac...
Category
Chinese Tang Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Genuine Natural Calcified Ammonite Fossil, '2.3 LBS'
Located in New York, NY
Museum-quality, fossilized and calcified ammonite shell with an iridescent, opalized shimmer displaying hints of vibrant red. The fossilized shells of ...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Large Amethyst Crystal Cluster with Purple Fluorite
Located in New York, NY
Museum quality, rare undulating formation of a gemmy transparent amethyst cluster with a cluster of spherical purple fluorite. These amethyst crystals ...
Category
Indian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Amethyst, Crystal, Other
Tang Dynasty Museum Fat Lady and Child TL Tested
Located in Dallas, TX
Tang Dynasty polychromed fat lady with child in arm. TL Tested
Terracotta, pottery with traces of orange and green paint
Sui to Tang Dynasty (581-618)
Measures: Height: 20.2 inches (51cm)
Width: 9.45 inches (24cm)
Guaranteed Authentic with corresponding TL Thermoluminescence Test conducted by Artemis Testing Lab Included in the sale of this item.
Condition: Excellent with loss to pinky and wear commensurate of age.
This rare and outstanding ceramic court attendant was made during what many consider to be China’s Golden Age, the T’ang Dynasty. It was at this point that China’s outstanding technological and aesthetic achievements opened to external influences, resulting in the introduction of numerous new forms of self-expression, coupled with internal innovation and considerable social freedom. The T’ang dynasty also saw the birth of the printed novel, significant musical and theatrical heritage and many of China’s best-known painters and artists. The T’ang Dynasty took control in 618 AD, when the Li family seized power from the last crumbling remnants of the preceding Sui Dynasty. This political and regal regime was long-lived, and lasted for almost 300 years. The imperial aspirations of the preceding periods and early T’ang leaders led to unprecedented wealth, resulting in considerable socioeconomic stability, the development of trade networks and vast urbanisation for China’s exploding population (estimated at around 50 million people in the 8th century AD). The T’ang rulers took cues from earlier periods, maintaining many of their administrative structures and systems intact. Even when dynastic and governmental institutions withdrew from management of the empire towards the end of the period – their authority undermined by localised rebellions and regional governors known as jiedushi –the systems were so well-established that they continued to operate regardless. The artworks created during this era are among China’s greatest cultural achievements. It was the greatest age for Chinese poetry...
Category
Chinese Tang Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
15th Century Burgundian Low-Relief Depicting Scenes of the Nativity
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Provenance : In the same private collection for several generations, Burgundy.
The canonical Gospels describe briefly the episode of the Nativity. It comprises three parts :
• The Preludes : the Journey to Bethlehem, the Census
• The Nativity
• The Announce to the Shepherds and the Adoration of the Magi
Only the Gospel according to Matthew (2, 1-12) speaks about the Adoration of the Magi. Staying vague about their number it does say they brought the newborn gold, incense and myrrh. The apocryphals, the fathers of the Church and many other authors have filled in the gaps of the evangelic tale. The sobriety and symbolic of the story have been a huge inspiration to artists. Although one of the oldest depictions of the Adoration of the Magi dates from the 2nd century the theme became very popular in Christian art during the late 14th century. One of the reasons explaining this success is that it celebrates both the Virgin and Christ at the same time.
This important walnut panel is carved in a strong relief and depicts the different steps of the story of Jesus’ birth.
On the left, the donkey and ox that have accompanied Mary and Joseph from Bethlehem are depicted behind a trough. On the thatch roof appears the star that would guide the magi to the place of birth of Jesus.
Mary is wearing a veil and is seating on a bed. She holds her baby at arm’s length to present him to the magi. Saint Joseph is by her side. The old man is holding a cane in his left hand while from the right hand he seems to uncover himself to greet the visitors.
A woman assists to the scene.
In front of the holy family the three magi stand behind one another to pay their homage to the newborn.
The first magi has a pointed beard. He is already kneeling out of deference and has placed his crown to his feet. He gives the baby a hanap filled with gold coins. This is Melchior as the legend describes him with white hair and a long beard.
Caspar, the second magi bears a cup of incense. He is looking at the third magi and with his right hand he points to the star that has guided them there. He has a short beard and wears crakow shoes, breeches and a wide sleeved doublet.
Finally Balthazar, the elegant last magi proceeds proudly towards the holy family with his one hand on the saber’s hilt and the other holding a cup. He brings the divine child the myrrh. He probably just dismounted as the horse can be seen behind him.
The scene is set in a very detailed and narrative decor. In the right part of the panel the shepherd receive the announce of Jesus’ birth. An angel comes down from heaven with a scroll bearing the good news in his hands. The herding dog sleeps peacefully while sheeps graze. At the top of the cliff we notice the gilded sheeps enclosure.
The panel’s moulded frame is carved with a foliated decor. In it’s centre appears a coat-of-arms. It is the alliance of the three magi’s arms. Indeed as it was common for legendary figures the three of them received imaginaries coat-of-arms. Thus, on a field of azure stands a star for Melchior, a crescent for Caspar and a pennon for Balthazar.
This high-relief panel is undeniably the work of a very skilled and imaginative artist. This key moment in the New Testament is transposed to a contemporary environment thanks to the figures’ clothing and the rural daily life scene. This way the universal dimension of the episode is highlighted allowing a better understanding for the contemporaries.
The sculptor has represented the episodes of the Adoration of the Magi and the Announce to the Shepherd with great talent and numerous details giving life to a picturesque and narrative scene. The important traces of polychromy give those already very animated scenes a stronger pictorial power and a rich dynamism.
Because of the picturesque and familiar realism so dear to the artists of the late Medieval era, of the didactic function of this type of panel as well as the quality of the sculpture this piece is an astounding example of Burgundian art of the 15th century.
Literature
Louis Réau, Iconographie de l’Art chrétien...
Category
French Gothic Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
Italian Renaissance Carved Wooden Angel Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian renaissance hand carved wooden "putto" angel head, circa 15th Century
Width 14 inches / height 14 inches / depth 4 inches
1 available in stock in Italy
Order reference #: FAB...
Category
Italian Renaissance Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$1,080 Sale Price
40% Off
Ancient Gallo Roman Millstone
Located in London, GB
Gallo-Roman Quernstone
Fécamp, Seine-Maritime, France
Circa 2nd century BC - mid-4th century AD
Carved puddingstone
Diameter: 43 cm
The lower grinding stone from a late Iron Age, ea...
Category
French Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Natural Gogotte Formation
Located in London, GB
A magnificent example of a gogotte formation composed of thick swirls and folds of sparkling sandstone. Discovered in the Oligocene sand dunes of Fontainebleau, France, formed circa 30 million years before present or later.
The incredible, almost otherworldly appearance of gogottes may easily be mistaken for the work of a most talented artist. In fact, these sandstone sculptures are entirely natural in origin. They have been found in multiple locations but those from Fontainebleau, such as the present example, are the most remarkable. Thirty-five million years ago, a sea covered what is now the forest of Fontainebleau, and dunes of exceptionally fine and homogenous sand formed. As silica-rich water filtered through this sand, it turned into stone. The flow of water finely modelled the sandstone into the aesthetic concretions we now know as gogottes. These are rare and are only found sporadically several metres deep into the ground. They owe their sparkling white appearance to the extreme and unmatched purity of the Fontainebleau sand, sometimes reaching a composition of 99.9% silica. Each of them is unique – a masterpiece slowly fashioned by the hands of Nature.
The intriguing name of “gogotte” was coined by French geologist Claude Guillemin (1923- 1994), who was inspired by the children’s book series Babar the Elephant. In one of the books, a group of monsters called Gogottes are shown hiding behind rocks. These rocks reminded Guillemin of the sandstone concretions...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
$55,000
La Tolita-Tumaco Standing Female Figure
Located in Chicago, IL
This standing effigy was crafted in 500 A.D. - 1000 A.D. Mesoamerica using the gray clay paste that characterizes La Tolita-Tumaco ceramics of early Colombia-Ecuador. The art of La Tolita-Tumaco civilization is considered one of the most developed of the pre-Columbian period as metalwork and ceramics were the most popular form of cultural expression. The ceramic creations of this culture were often based on the human figure to create portraits of people and realistic daily scenes of life cycles and the human condition.
This figure appears to be wearing a loincloth and is adorned with a beaded necklace and an elaborate coiffure or headdress. There are holes lining each ear indicating the potential use of ear spools...
Category
South American Pre-Columbian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
French Gothic Stone Sculpture – 14th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Possibly a Noblewoman
Elegant stone sculpture from 14th-century Gothic France, possibly representing a noble lady. The bust features finely carved details in the attire, with attent...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Limestone
Antique Large Solid Stone Ammonite on Handcrafted Iron Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Large Solid Stone Ammonite on Handcrafted Iron Stand Featuring Fascinating Ridged Surface
Dimensions: 26"W X 5"D X 27.5"H
Category
American Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Genuine Natural Large Carcharodontosaurus Dinosaur Tooth
Located in New York, NY
Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa.
Cretaceous Age 65 million years
Carcharodontosaurus is one of the longest and heavi...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Petrified Wood Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
A really nice petrified wood sculpture, circa pre-history. Brightly colored tan, brown and cream tones with naturally formed patterns caused by fossiliz...
Category
Unknown Organic Modern Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Petrified Wood
$340 Sale Price
20% Off
Tourmaline on Lepidolite, Aricanga mine, São José da Safira, Brazil
Located in New York, NY
Tourmaline on Lepidolite
Aricanga mine, São José da Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil
11.5 cm tall x 12 cm wide
Large "rocket-like" crystals burst forth from a lavender lepidolite matrix...
Category
Brazilian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Large Thai Ban Chiang Painted Pottery Vessel, Late Period, circa 300 BC
Located in Austin, TX
A massive Ban Chiang culture painted pottery vessel, circa 300 BC, Thailand.
The large storage jar painted with a bold spiral pattern in red ochre on a b...
Category
Thai Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Virgin and Child in Majesty, also known as "Sedes Sapientae"
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
VIRGIN AND CHILD IN MAJESTY, ALSO KNOWN AS "SEDES SAPIENTIAE"
ORIGIN : SPAIN, CATALOGNE
PERIOD: EARLY 13th CENTURY
Height : 95 cm
Width : 32 cm
Depth : 28 cm
Softwood
No polychromy
In the middle of the 12th century, the Virgin took her place in churches, seated in Majesty, serving as a throne for her son Jesus. She is then called Sedes Sapientiae, meaning the Throne of Wisdom.
At that time, she is not represented for herself and only exists because she has been designated as Theotokos, the mother of God, at the Council of Ephesus in 431, where the divine nature of Christ was proclaimed from his birth.
The upright and perfectly hieratic bust of this Virgin and Child in Majesty is seated on a throne-bench. She is dressed in a tunic with a rounded neckline and covered with a fine mantle placed on her narrow shoulders. The supple and natural drapery follows the lines of the body.
Large curls frame her face with delicate and regular features, a long straight nose, almond-shaped eyes, and small lips.
She supports the Infant Jesus with her left hand. Like his mother, he is dressed in a long tunic, and his little feet are visible in the folds. He holds a small sphere in his left hand, while with his right hand, he gestures in blessing. The face of Christ bears a strong resemblance to his mother’s one, and he gives a slight smile.
The position of the Child is no longer as hieratic, nor frontal or central as in the early 12th century, but his face still turns towards the faithful.
The 13th century indeed emerges as a period of transition in the artistic domain. The statuary, while retaining certain characteristics still belonging to the habits of the previous century, also develops new formal solutions.
As a result, Mary maintains a hieratic and frontal position, while her son shifts to place himself well to the left on her knee. Similarly, while the Virgin seems perfectly still, Jesus, on the other hand, appears much more animated, especially in the positioning of his hands. His left hand holds the orb, and judging by the raised right arm directed towards the faithful, one can easily imagine that he was making a gesture of blessing.
The influence of the Sedes Sapientiae from previous centuries still seems particularly prevalent in this work.
These few characteristics allow dating this Spanish Virgin...
Category
Spanish Gothic Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Softwood
Tang Dynasty Fat Lady Pottery Figure
Located in Dallas, TX
Tang Dynasty Terracotta sculpture of a fat lady
This stunning lady wears her hair in an elaborately styled coiffure. A remarkable amount of the original pigm...
Category
Chinese Tang Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Tang Dynasty Museum Quality TL Tested Terracotta Fat Lady Figure
Located in Dallas, TX
Tang Dynasty painted terracotta fat lady tomb figure
China. Tang Dynasty Circa 618-907
Modelled in the form of a classically dressed fat lady, this terraco...
Category
Chinese Tang Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Genuine Trilobite Fossil (Ptychopariida) on Matrix (116.9 grams)
Located in New York, NY
Ptychopariida is a large, heterogeneous order of trilobite containing some of the most primitive species known. The earliest species occurred in the second half of the Lower Cambrian...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Cement, Other
Exceptional & Rare Large Mounted Meteorite Slice
Located in London, GB
Rare Seymchan meteorites featuring the Wittmannstätten pattern are highly prized among collectors and meteorite enthusiasts due to their unique appearance and scientific significance...
Category
Russian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron, Nickel
Chinese Han Dynasty Pottery Horse Head
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Han Dynasty Pottery Horse Head. Crisply modelled with sharp features, including a gaping mouth, nostrils, eyes, ears and an alert exp...
Category
Chinese Han Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Spiny Ceratarges Trilobite Fossil on Matrix from Morocco (299.6 grams)
Located in New York, NY
This alien-looking trilobite, known as Ceratarges ziregensis, has a strikingly otherworldly appearance. It's difficult to believe that this creature once roamed the ancient seas. Fou...
Category
Moroccan Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Cement, Other
Fossil Spinosaurus Dinosaur Tooth 107mm
Located in Scorton, GB
Unearthed in the continental intercalaire, a significant 105mm Spinosaurus tooth highlights 19 million years of evolutionary prowess. Known for its sail-like dorsal fin, potent jaws,...
Category
North African Prehistoric Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Ming Dynasty Longquan Celadon Dish with Geometric Design, 15th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A heavily potted and richly glazed celadon dish, Longquan kilns, early Ming Dynasty, mid 15th century, China.
The large dish glazed in a deep olive cela...
Category
Chinese Ming Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
15th Century Corpus Christi Wood Sculpture
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare late 15th century or early 16th century Gothic Corpus Christi wood sculpture. Probably North German or South Sweden. This large Christ sculpture...
Category
German Gothic Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Large 8 Inch Ammonite Specimen Cut Polished and Mounted Fossil
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Large 8 Inch Ammonite Specimen Cut Polished and Mounted Fossil - Jurassic - Cretaceous Period, 200 - 145 million years old
An excellent quality split ammonite fossil. We hand pick...
Category
Malagasy Other Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
A Large 'Longquan' Celadon Dish, Ming Dynasty, 15th century
Located in seoul, KR
The heavily potted dish is molded in the central roundel below the fluted cavetto and the everted rim with lipped edge, and is covered overall with a glaze of sea-green color, except for the unglazed ring on the base. The wood stand is not included with the item.
Period: Ming Dynasty (1368~1644)
Region: Longquan, China
Medium: Celadon
Type: Dish
Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong
Reference :
1) Christies NEW YORK 22–23 MAR 2018 - Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art - Lot 722
2) Sotheby's Paris 11 December 2020 - Arts d'Asie - Lot 8
(Price realised : 4,032 EUR / Type : Closely related)
3) Christies LONDON 21–28 MAY 2020 - The Art of China - Lot 31
(Price realised : 5,250 GBP / Type : Closely related)
* Ming Dynasty Longquan Celadon
Longquan celadon from the Ming Dynasty typically exhibits a more robust and heavier stoneware body compared to its Song Dynasty predecessors. The Ming era saw an evolution in celadon glaze, achieving a wider spectrum of green hues, from olive to bluish-greens. Ming celadons...
Category
Hong Kong Ming Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Celadon
$3,594 Sale Price
40% Off
Chupicuaro Redware Figure
Located in Chicago, IL
This standing effigy figure was crafted in 300 BC from the ancient Chupicuaro region of Mexico and was likely used as a ritual or burial offering. The ceramic works of the Chupicuaro...
Category
Mexican Pre-Columbian Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Gandharan Standing Bodhisattva Maitreya, Carved Black Schist, 2nd-4th Century
Located in Austin, TX
An impressive and well carved Gandharan figure of the Bodhisattva Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, carved black schist, ancient Kingdom of Gand...
Category
Pakistani Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Schist
Pair of Tang Dynasty Sancai Glazed Tomb Guardians, Zhenmushou, 7th-8th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fantastic and powerful pair of Chinese Tang Dynasty three-color (sancai) glazed zhenmushou, tomb guardian figures, late 7th or early 8th century. TL t...
Category
Chinese Tang Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Fat lady Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
A wonderful period Tang Dynasty Pottery Figure of a Fat Lady.
Tomb Pottery
China
Height: 15 Inches
No TL Test
A COA by Avantiques will accompany the sale of this item.
Condition: Ve...
Category
Chinese Tang Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Fossil Marine Mosasaur of The Cretaceous Period
Located in Scorton, GB
A wonderful example of a Cretaceous mosasaur. The original Halisaurus arambourgi mosasaur mandibles and vertebrae, measuring 2.9ft, include a well-preserved, near-complete skull, low...
Category
North African Prehistoric Antique 15th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects
Materials
Limestone
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