1880s Decorative Objects

Pair of antique glass inkwells with silvered lids, France, circa 1880s.  

Pair of beautiful Silver Candlesticks hallmarked JB, London 1881. Minor dents at the bottom (see pictures) but rhe candlesticks are over 140 years old and ...

A good Johann Loetz Witwe "Onyx" marbel glass Vase from the late 19th century. Made ca. 1888 in Bohemia in Klostermühle, today part of the Czech Republic and known as Klášterský Mlýn...

19th Century large Victorian Majolica jardiniere with garlands of flowers, the handles are women heads signed Joseph Holdcroft.

This is beautifully carved antique Chinese camphorwood bedding trunk or coffer, circa 1880 in date. With a rectangular hinged lid and side carrying handles there is no mistaking its...

French Majolica Pansies cache pot, circa 1880.

French Majolica Pansies Jardinière, circa 1880.

Napoleon III music box with 8 bee melodies including 4 complications. Ability to play and replay loops melodies. Possibility to add to engage a resonator and or activate small bees t...

Ormolu And Green Marble Mantel Clock, Maple & Co Ltd, Paris Ormolu and Verde marble mantel clock depicting a beautifully cast maiden studying her ...

A late 1880s cast bronze French seal with an early Art Nouveau flair, unusual and highly collectible for its perforated shape and high quality of details. The style is shown in its N...

Rare and large Palissy Majolica vase, France, circa 1880. Made on a circular base, the baluster vase with a marbled brown bottom rests. The neck and foot feature motifs inspired by ...

This is a beautiful Antique silvered copper French Jewellery Casket, engraved by by the famous French engraver B.Wicker, Paris C 1880's. This...

Antique silver cup or large Decorative food or fruit cup, pressed, cast and chased. Circular, curved feet with hinged. unstamped, tested with the scratch test, Height 14cm, Width 31c...

A beautiful antique wooden cigar carousel, with music. Made in France, late 19th century. When you turn the knob on the top, all panels turn at the same time. The panels are hand-pai...

Montjoye, France. Large Art Nouveau vase in mouth-blown art glass. Decorated with flowers in enamel work, gilt. High quality vase. Dated 1880-1900. In very good condition. Measures...

Royal Worcester Majolica basket which features pink flowers and green leaves, which are hand painted and overglazed. Green branch molded handl...

Napoleon III Mantel clock in Black marble clock surmounted by a patinated bronze representing a Greek writer or philosopher holding the a manuscript on his knees One of a kind an...

Rare Tall 19th C. Moser Crystal Fairytale Covered Pokal with Enamel and Gilding. The slender body is gorgeous with brightly hand-enameled decorations. The top is also gorgeous with...

A lovely ornate 19th Century black forest carving of a fox, sitting cross legged reading a book, the fox wearing a jacket and seems to be sitting on a rock with various foliage and a...

A very fine Louis XVI style figural mantel clock with matching flanking candelabra. The clock is bronze casted and has an ormolu f...

A 19th century Meissen porcelain 'Elements' ewer emblematic of air. Blue crossed swords mark. The present ewer, representing water, i...

Rare Louis XV style gilt and patinated bronze "Pendule à l'éléphant" mantel clock , the enamel dial signed: "Mafson" à Paris" This beautiful example was made in the late 19th century...

Magnificent and much coveted gigantic antique pottery holder pre 1900s. A unique piece of handmade ceramic craftmanship, made in the cozy southern French city of Biot, located bet...

Our important parcel-gilt and patinated silver and glass-mounted vase and matching oil lamp were designed by Paul Legrand (1840-1910) and crafted by the silversmith, Charles Glachant, for Boucheron of Paris, circa 1878-1880. 21 in tall and 16.5 in wide (53.4 by 41.9 cm). 28.56 lbs, 457 oz, 14,210 g. Provenance: presented to or purchased by Jean-Baptiste Pezon (1827-1897); acquired by a European private collector, perhaps on the death of Jean-Baptiste Pezon in 1897, by descent; acquired by YM Antiques, 2017. This double walled vase has an amphora form, with body and foot with silver, gilt and patinated and stylized flowers, anthemions and sprays of cherries against an etched and matted ground pierced to reveal a gilt inner wall. The upper body is detachable via a slip-lock, and mounted on both sides with arched panels formed of hexagonal beveled glass tiles. One glass panel applied with bacchic infants taunting a rearing goat and the other side with infants feeding grapes to a lioness under a looming bust of a satyr. The patinated and gilt upswung loop bifurcated handles are mounted with fully modeled figures of Pan bearing a syrinx and thyrsus and a draped maenad playing two flutes, both above roaring lion heads, the rim inset with a slip-lock detachable gilt bowl etched with masks of various representations of Bacchus spaced by ribbons and trophies and with scrolling fruiting vines. The base of interior with detachable base metal drip pan to accommodate the removable oil lamp designed to illuminate the glass tiles from within. The lamp is raised on four hoof feet, the upturned ends cast underneath with masks and with detachable cover mounted with two infant satyrs and flanked by gilt loop handles. The bacchic themed design featuring cartouches depicting infants taunting a goat and lion, plus prominent lion masks at the handles, certainly appealed to Boucheron's customer, Jean-Baptiste Pezon (1827-1897), who is believed to have commissioned the piece. Pezon was the celebrated lion tamer and headliner of the Grande Menagerie whose profession brought him great fame and fortune in Paris. Born a shepherd boy in Lozere, he is said to have left his home at the age of seventeen in the company of a wolf he had captured and trained years earlier. He headed to Paris and by the age of twenty-one purchased his first lion who he named Brutus. The animal is said to have inspired the Lion of Belfort, the monumental red standstone sculpture by Frederic Bartholdi erected in Belfort in 1880. Toulouse-Lautrec was among his admirers and friends, visiting Pezon's Great Lozerian Menagerie to sketch animals. A large bronze sculpture of Pezon atop a female lion adorns the Pezon family tomb in the Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, as seen in our image here. The vase and detachable bowl are marked on the underside with the silversmith's mark of Charles Glachant. The underside and upper rim of the lower body is engraved "Fic Boucheron Paris". The lamp is marked on underside and flange of cover for Glachant. Boucheron archives indicate the vase was inspired by the amphora vases created by the Greek potter, Nikosthenes, 550-510 BC. The Nikosthenic amphora vases are a form of Attic vase recognized for their angular amphora form with broad flat handles. Potted of bright orange-red clay, they were decorated with plant and animal motifs within distinct friezes, with the most significant defining feature being the black figure painting, often highlighted with white accents. In this vase Legrand re-imagines the striking contrast of the black figures against a warm ground through the use of patina and gilding. His inventive use of piercing and double-wall construction create additional levels of texture and depth throughout the body. The same combination of ornamentation was employed in a ewer designed by Legrand in 1880 in the Islamic taste. (See lot 77 of Christie's sale in New York on October 22, 2009.) Edmé Bouchardon (1698-1762), royal sculptor to Louis XV, may have provided Legrand with inspiration for the vase's iconography. The panel featuring bacchic infants taunting a rearing goat is very similar to a bas relief representation of Winter designed by Bouchardon for the Fontaine des Quarte-Saisons on rue de Grenelle, Paris. Bouchardon debuted his plaster model for the bas relief in 1741, and the fountain was completed in 1745. The Boucheron firm, founded by the celebrated jeweler, Frédéric Boucheron...

An incredible and truly monumental 19th century Meissen Porcelain Covered urn emblematic of autumn. This is one of the most incredible and sp...

Enameled in a bright palette with birds perched on branches and fences, with lion mask handles. The base with an apocryphal Saint Cloud mark.

Charming set of 3 Hand Carved 19th Century European Frames. Beautifully hand carved wood (walnut?) with motifs with buckle straps, rope work and c...

Made by renowned Japy manufacturers in 1878-1885 period in gracious and elegant way. The Louis XV style of architecture and decorative arts appeared during the reign of Louis XV. Fro...

A wonderful and impressive figural inkwell made from solid cast English brass, beautifully executed with a fabulous patina. Standing on little cast feet, the large leaf is of cour...

Introducing the Japy Frères et Cie Empire Mantle Clock, a remarkable timepiece with a rich history and exquisite craftsmanship. This antique clock is a true representation of the Empire style, showcasing the exceptional artistry and design prevalent during the 19th century. The movement of this clock is a testament to its prestigious heritage, bearing the registered mark Grande Médaille d'honneur 1855, earned at the renowned Paris Exposition universelle of 1855. This recognition signifies the superior quality and precision of the clock's movement, a hallmark of Japy Frères et Cie's dedication to horological excellence. The clock's case is crafted from black Belgian marble, displaying medallions featuring the Arethusa head type, inspired by ancient Greek coinage, specifically the decadrachm from Syracuse, Sicilia, minted circa 400 BC. These historical motifs, combined with the Empire style's characteristic elements such as tiger feet...

In the manner of Meissen, Dresden porcelain from Helena Wolfsohn double gourd vase hand painted with panels of hunting scenes Unusual form and beautiful colours palette. Produced in...

Unidentified English Majolica posy holder which features three birds, supporting baskets on their backs. Colouration: turquoise, white, green, are predominant. The piece bears maker'...

Seated figure of a young Mercury after the antique.

Ths antique German or Swiss bear figurine is a really lovely item and a remarkable piece of craftsmanship regarding its fine carving, dating back...

A pair of bulbous classic cobalt blue and iron red Imari vases. The 7.5 inch tall vases with rounded bodies with small necks with had painted scenic views o...

Large French Porcelain Famille Rose style fishbowl, Samson, circa 1880.

Jewelry box Napoleon III Materials gilt bronze and ceramics Origin France Circa 1880 No Restorations Excellent condition Materials gilt bronze and ceramics ALL CERAMIC PLATES ARE PER...

Hallmarked in London in 1889 and 1893 by R & S Garrard & Co., this handsome, and large pair of Antique Sterling Silver Candelabra, are cast, will hold 5 candles each and are in the G...

A lovely showpiece of a box with exquisite details down to it's ormolu surround and clasp. Lovely hand painted florals all over including its main painting on the top of the box as w...

19th century hand carved oak case with carved capitals on full length waist columns and bracket feet, 90 day brass time only movement with deadbeat escapement and maintaining power t...

A Highly Important Pair of French Japonisme Ormolu, Patinated Bronze & Cloisonné Vases, by Christofle & Cie. Christofle & Cie is a renowned French silver and metalwork manufacturer f...

Antique Baccarat “Double Carp” molded crystal vase mounted on a gilded bronze base.

An exceptional large wooden case from the Victorian era, circa 1880s. Made from pine with raised and burled panels. Features a marquetry inlay top showcasing a bird within a flowerin...

19th Century Italian sterling silver decorative vase with two side handles and exterior design details. The vase features a finely chase body with applied foliate motifs and semi pre...

A Pair of 19th Century Monumental Palace Size Osler Four Light Crystal Torchères/Candelabras. Each section is super finely hand-carved and hand-cut f...

An antique Staffordshire dog, Whippet porcelain inkwell. Circa 1880, England

A very beautiful pair of antique emerald green Bohemian glass and crystal lusters, with hand-painted design, Victoria period, circa late-19th century, 1880s, Europe, Czechoslovakia. ...

Pair of Hugo Lonitz Majolica vases which feature satyr masks to the side, with grape vine swags. Colouration: cobalt blue, green, cream, are predo...

Victorian sterling silver trophy cup. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1885.Curved bowl with flared mouth rim and twisted half lobing on domed and wavy foot; cast irregular side handl...

A truly outstanding and rare find, this is an outstanding Victorian figural inkwell made from a winning combination of brass and silver plate and retaining his wonderful two original...

This charming antique Black Forest inkstand dates from circa 1880. Beautifully modelled, hand carved from linden wood, with mother and baby bear on a naturalistically carved rocky outcrop. The inkwells are in the form of a pair of tree trunks with fluted glass wells with carved lids and a useful pen tray in front. Condition: In excellent condition. As an antique item, it shows signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, the inkstand displays beautifully. Dimensions in cm: Height 15 cm x Width 23 cm x Depth 14 cm Dimensions in inches: Height 6 inches x Width 9 inches x Depth 5 inches History of Black Forest Carving The idea behind the success of Brienz wood carving was quite simple. After a disastrous famine in 1816 in the Brienz area people were forced to find new areas of revenues. Driven by the need to create jobs in the Bernese Oberland, an economically underdeveloped region, the Swiss government encouraged the existing resource of timber industry to liaise with the traditional wooden craftsmanship. It took some time to improve from home requirements to sophisticated designed arts but the process was supported by the rising amount of tourists visiting the region. Christian Fischer and other founders Christian Fischer (1790-1848) started self-taught from simple turneries (carved bowls and other articles of daily use) to unsophisticated regional animals and people. Due to his success and the interest of the tourists, other carvers started also following his idea of carving the pristine naturalism. The Swiss government supported these start-ups with additional training of apprentices at special trade school. Brienz School of Wood Carving In 1884 the "School of Wood Carving, Brienz" was founded. It became an important educational institution to strengthen and develop the artistic backgrounds and exhibit an area of creativity. During the years of war in the 20th century, the demand for wooden sculptures came to rest and led to the re-orientation in areas such as toys and carvings for constructions. Beyond that the Brienz wood carving articles had to face an enormous competition from abroad. The School of Wood Carving had to get through difficult economic times but in the late 1970s wood carving enjoyed a renaissance. A lot of young people searched for elemental jobs and added a new value to school education. Today Brienz School of Wood Carving is combined with the education of turner, basket makers and coopers. The school still claims high-quality standards and follows old principles with regard to future perspectives. Wild animals At all times wild animals fascinate people. The highland around Brienz has large variety of different wild animals. Bears are among the most popular models for carvers. On the one hand bears are easy to cut and on the other hand they have a strong symbolized image. The enthusiasm for bears in art...

Large pair of hand-thrown, hand painted and glazed, left and right, French, faience foo dogs. Wonderful expression, and great scale.

A refined antique photo frame, made of bronze, in Louis XVI style. On top a crest of laurel wreath. The trim is decorated with laurel leaves. Made in France circa 1880-1890. For on t...

A Large Pair of 19th Century French Ormolu-Mounted Chinese Famille Verte Porcelain Covered Vases/Pot-Pouries, with Daoist Emblem Cartouches. Each vase is made of famille verte porc...

19th Century Majolica Palissy Jardiniere signed Thomas Sergent. Decorated with a frog, a fish, a lizard, shells and plants.

Add a touch of timeless elegance to your space with this exquisite antique Japanese porcelain vase. Its exceptional craftsmanship and intricate hand-painted details make it a captiva...

Pair of very fine quality antique (19th century) French Greek/Roman neoclassical Grand Tour gilt and patinated bronze figural candelabra on Italian Siena marble bases.

19th century Majolica Daisy vase Delphin Massier. The Massier family are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. They produced an inc...

Huge pair of torcheres figurative bronze and marble representative cherub surmonted by candelabras nine lights, the base are in giltwood and marble this set is of a very high qual...

A fine and impressive antique Danish silver chamber candlestick; part of our silver candlestick / candelabra collection. This fine antique Danis...

A fabulous French Louis XVI style Sevres Porcelain cobalt blue Ground Watteau Lovers Scene Bombay form jewel box and cover, Signed by the Artist. Of cartouche form with bombay shaped...

A Aesthetic Movement large celery glass vase hand blown in two parts and hand engraved with stars and shapes.

An unusual antique Baccarat crystal and Dore bronze-mounted oval shaped centrepiece, the removable oval shaped crystal bowl, beautifully hand-cut and engraved with floral and vine de...

Black and Red Leather Box bearing Arms and Words of Irish MacNamara Clan, 1880s London. A striking leather box, produced by London firm Parkins & Gotto, Oxford Street-based company specialized in leather goods and stationary. Features the coat of arms, with a rearing (rampant) lion surrounded by standing golden arrows in a solid field of red as well as a helmet with coronet, mounted with an arm bearing a sword, as well as the motto of the MacNamara clan (Firmitas in Caelo, meaning Strength in Heaven), an ancient Irish...

Amazing Marquetry and inlay on this Sorrento Napoli Box C1880. There is craftsmanship of the highest caliber all over this box. Box front drops down to reveal inside completely cover...

A charming antique victorian vanity set consisting of three different sized dishes and lidded box. All pices with a thick layer of ruby colored glass cut to clear...

Produced in France, circa 1880, this impressive silver plated jardiniere has elements of Greek mythology, making it Neoclassical style. On each side of the jardiniere is a mascaron o...

I am offering you this fabulous Meissen reticulated fluted bowl from the 1880s. It has a beautifully painted central flower bouquet with accents of...

A marvelous French chinoiserie style earthenware dore bronze mounted turquoise blue ground planter or jardinière, attributed to Théodore Deck. The ceramic bowl is beautifully decorat...

2 Large 19th Century Clear Glass Pharmacy Poison Bottles These are 2 very large bottles, they are 6” in diameter and one is 14” high , the other is 1...