18th Century and Earlier Decorative Objects

Nice & Beautiful Arita Japanese Porcelain Kendi. Floral and figural scene. This 17th Century Japanese Export Porcelain Jug or Ewer, Arita Kilns c.1670-1690 is painted in lovely blue...

A painted pottery figure of a prancing horse, with right leg raised and head turned towards the left, the head well modelled with crisp features below pricked ears, saddle painted wi...

Genuine Spinosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth. Spinosaurus (meaning "spine lizard") is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in what now is North Africa, during the upper Albian to upper T...

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...

This charming blue and white Dutch Delft jar is decorated in shades of cobalt blue. Hand-painted in the late 18th century circa 1780, the jar mixes rococo and chinoiserie design elem...

Oriented Chondrite Meteorite Circa 4.56 Billion y/o Chondrite 24 x 20 cm, 28 cm tall on base 7.1 kg A sculptural and beautifully weathered chondrite meteorite; upon entering the atmosphere, this extraterrestrial stone would have heated the surrounding air to a temperature of over 1700 C, higher than that of the hottest lava on the planet, and enough to melt away its outer layers, leaving its surface rippled with regmaglypts, thumb-shaped impressions formed as superheated rock streaked off of the main body as it careened toward the earth. The last layer of the rock to melt would have re-solidified as the meteorite made impact, forming a charcoal coloured fusion crust, which has taken on a deep ochre-tinted patina. Chondrite meteorites such as this example were formed at the very beginning of our solar system, by the accretion of various types of dust and small grains, adrift in the vacuum of space and, as such, provide important clues about the birth of our own planet. This piece is an especially rare specimen, known as an oriented meteorite...

Lovely Georgian giltwood picture frame Carved pine with shallow gesso and gilt Original patina Internally or sight measures 19.25 x 24 inches. 48.5 x 61 cm Free UK shipping

Hand-carved in the 1600s, this wooden coat of arms cartouche depicts an ornate crest atop a shaped console with several charges. The cartouche is Dutch, considerably predating the fo...

This is a pottery called Tokoname ware. Tokoname is a kiln located in Aichi Prefecture, Japan (Tokoname Kiln is marked with a red circle on the map). It is said to have originated ar...

Wonderful hand carved standing Baroque angel figure. Unique period piece with its original paint . Spain, circa 1650-1750 Weathered. small losses . Measurement here below includes ...

A stunning amethyst formation formed of a three quarter geode with cut window, revealing deep purple amethyst crystals, with a beautiful central calcite coated in black goethite and ...

This 18th-century French porcelain dish was hand-painted circa 1785. Crafted at the renowned Locré manufactory, also known as Porcelaine de La Courtille, in Paris the bowl is decorated with gorgeous handpainted purple roses, complementing green leaves, and small gilded flower sprigs, The border continues the same pattern. The enameled flowers create a striking visual contrast against the fine white porcelain. The small gilded sprigs add an elegant shimmer. Craftsmanship: Jean-Baptiste Locré founded this celebrated porcelain workshop in 1771. Locré porcelain...

Pair of terracotta Han guardsmen in polychrome paint China TL tested Pair of rare standing male terracotta sculptures/warriors of the Chinese Han dynasty from the 2nd century BC. W...

France - La Borne 18th century ceramic pottery vase or bottle Original good condition Brown and grey frigin colors Some little losses...

A Ming Dynasty period glazed ceramic Martaban water jar from the 17th century, with tiger motifs and petite handles. Created in China during the 17th century, this Ming Dynasty perio...

This fascinating section of basalt perfectly illustrates how the precious amethyst appears in the tunnels of the underground mines of Artigas. Glistening deep purple crystals jump ...

An Extremely Rare Hand Decorated Irish Delftware wall hanging Charger or Cabinet Dublin Plate by Henry Delamain, decorated with flowers and foliage in colours of blue. Possibly third...

Description Sharing with you this very sweet and small ewer from the edo period. We have never owned a piece like this before and think it's really sweet and delicate. With a lovely...

18th Century Carved Giltwood & Gesso Coat of Arms with Eagle – Rare Decorative Crest on Metal Stand A stunning and rare 18th-century carved giltwood and gesso coat of arms, this exce...

Northern Swedish rococo long case clock. The shape of the case is rococo and the expression is unique for the area Jämtland in Sweden. Made by hand during the late 1700s in pine with...

Provenance : - Kunsthaus Heinrich Hahn, Frankfurt am Main, sale 16, June 17, 1930, lot 16. - Sotheby's, Amsterdam, Feb. 26, 2006, lot 201. HISTORIC Located between Moselle valley and Meuse valley, framed by the Vosges Mountains on the south side and the duchy of Luxembourg on the north side, the duchy of Lorraine is the result of several partitions. It starts with the 9th century when the Carolingian empire is divided, with Lothar 1st inheriting Lotharingia. In 959 this territory was in turn divided in two; Lower and Upper Lotharingia, the latter being the forebear of the duchy of Lorraine. This duchy was under the rule of the Holy Roman Germanic Empire until 1736 when it was absorbed by the kingdom of France. All along its history the duchy of Lorraine has found itself in the midst of many conflicts. Alliances and feuds marking European history were always particularly sensible in Lorraine where instability was frequent. Because of its geographic position the duchy of Lorraine was also an artistic crossroad. Hence the duchy of Lorraine becomes from the 13th century onwards an important artistic centre where a particular type of Virgin and Child appears. According to professor J. A. Schmoll the characteristics of Lorraine sculpture burgeon around 1280-1300 in the Aube region. It presents “vigorous volumes, restrained movements, rare but solemn gestures and a strong interiorised and stern expression”. Those Virgins look similar with a wide forehead, a shield- or oval-shaped face, large neck, small lips and a cleft chin. This model is particularly in favour during the 13th century because of the revival for Marial worship and for the theme of the Virgin and Child. It bears witness to a new religious sensibility with a more intimate vision of religious practice. DESCRIPTION The important 14th century Virgin we present to you is one of the most beautiful examples of sculptural art from Eastern France, with her fascinating distant gaze. Her contrapposto posture is induced by the weight of the child she carries high on her left side. The child has a chubby face framed by blond hair with well defined curls and he wears a long red V-collared tunic from which emerge his feet. The fabric is animated by long folds. The position of the right foot turned to the back is a detail we can notice on several Virgins from Lorraine. He holds a bird that seems to be pecking his thumb. “The bird /held by the child in his hands/ has been read as a reference to an episode from Christ’s childhood when he has moulded sparrows with clay before giving them life. It appears in the apocryphal gospel of Pseudo-Matthew (ch. 27) and later in the Quran (III, 43, v. 110). However the iconography seems to be more influenced by the concept of Redemption or of Eucharist, the bird symbolising the soul of the Christian about to be redeemed or revitalised.” Mary wears a long dress with two rock crystal cabochons remaining from the original five. She is covered by a red cloak enriched with old-gold motifs draped as an apron falling in long pleats along her left hip. The relief treatment and the volume of the cloak developing a network of concentric pleats contrast with the the flat pleating of her dress. They nevertheless suggest the curve of her bent right leg. She wears a floret crown securing a short thin veil carved in very low relief. From it emerges her blond curled hair characteristic of the 13th century. The large face with almond-shaped eyes, straight nose, small lips and cleft chin casts its gaze afar in a fashion typical of 13th century Virgins. In her right hand she holds a lily flower. In a very refined manner the artist has carved a band on her right ring-finger. In the back, carefully sculpted, spreads the minutely detailed short veil. COMPARATIVE STUDIES This sculpture of great quality presents obvious similarities with Virgins from Lorraine, designated by William Forsythe...

TOGATUS STATUETTE Depicting a male figure dressed in a toga and himation, held by his right hand. Presence of a prop on the right thigh, implying that this fragment was part of a sta...

Taino Pre-Columbian Carved Jade Kneeling Figure Zemi Pendant. 2.25" H x 1" W x 1" D. Provenance: From the Upper East Side Apartment of a Former Ambassador.

Lovely Chinese Porcelain Bencharong Jar, also with black enamel. When Bencharong (Benjarong) is used to refer to porcelain it usually means a type of 18th and 19th centuries Chinese...

Madagascar Jurassic - Cretaceous Period, 200 - 145 million years old Dimensions: 7.5 × 5.5 × 1.25 in./ 19 × 14 × 3 cm Weight: 1 lb 9 oz/ 710 gm In this example, the complex patte...

Very happy with this new arrival. Arita/Kakiemon bowl of unusual shape and design. Besides the very nice floral decoration there is superior overglaze blue Early 18th century. Add...

17th Century English Jacobean Carved Oak Bible Box. Period Jacobean solid dark oak bible box from the 17th century. The front is beautifully carved wi...

Hand Wrought Lock Box. Beautiful patina. Painted inside with date, which is after the original creation date. Box W 13.25 x D 10 x H 10 in. Key L 4 in.

Sue pottery is called "sueki" in Japanese. Earthenware that was baked at low temperatures is now being baked at high temperatures due to the development of kiln technology. It is a l...

A glazed terracotta jar from South of France. 17th or 18h Century. Extraordinary original outside patina. Report of condition : two small hole and one hole on the base to permit w...

An impressive 18th century polychrome decorated drug jar or 'Albarello'. The Albarello is of a typical waisted shape, and is decorated profusely in polychrome. The body of the jar is...

Beautiful handcarved giltwoodornament depicting two birds. Italy circa 1780-1820 . Weathered and small losses Measurements individual and include the wooden base. H:28,5cm W:56cm D...

A skull of a sub-adult Triceratops prorsus from the Maastrichtian, late Cretaceous period (68-65 million years ago). The triceratops roamed the plains of what is now North America ...

A spectacular mid-17th century Venetian Sculpture - "Enfant Au Coussin" - Enfant With Pillow. Expertly carved from Verona Marble. An architectural element originally serving as a b...

Museum quality, rare undulating formation of a gemmy transparent amethyst cluster with a cluster of spherical purple fluorite. These amethyst crystals ...

Egyptian Carved Stone Head Sculpture, mounted on ebonized pedestal. 56.5" H x 12.75" W x 12.75" D. Provenance: From an Upper East Side Collection. Keywords: Statue, Portrait Bust, Po...

A wonderful green glass pickling or truffle jar from 18th century France. These handmade jars each vary in size and coloration due to their one-of-a-kind nature, making them easy to ...

Rare late 17th century Dutch colonial, probably Sri Lankan, Macassar ebony document box having deeply molded raised panel lid, original ri...

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...

Beautiful large Baroque angel-wing with its original color and gilding. Extremely rare to find in this size. Very decorative item placed on a wooden base. Italy, circa 1750. Weathere...

10" Alethopteris & Neuropteris Natural Tree Fern Fossil Specimen, 300 - 360 years old apx. This is a rather lush plant fossil natural specimen. The measurements point to point diagon...

Incredilbe apothecary Mortar in Nembro Marble, made from a single block of marble and dated back to the early 600 from Tuscany. It was used in the in apothecaries to grind herbs and spices into powder for food or medicine. Very unique and rare piece in great conditions considering the the period to which it dates. This highly sculptural and unique piece would be suitable today as a magnificent decoration on a table or mantle, or to grace the counter of an open kitchen...

Pair of 1870s English carved wood lions.

Extremely fine quality Directoire/Empire gilt bronze mounted gilt brass skeleton clock with enameled chapter ring and openwork movement. Roman numerals for the hours and outer half...

This is a Shigaraki ware ceramic piece, crafted in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Shigaraki ware originates from the Shigaraki region and dates back as far as the 8th century. It is one of...

The amethyst geodes from Uruguay are mined from the same rock formation as their relatives just to the north across the border into southern Brazil and are igneous (volcanic) in orig...

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...

A 445-year-old late medieval 16th century heraldic encaustic tile of Flemish origin (unmarked). Made from terracotta and glazed, this 6-inch antique tile is an excellent collector’s ...

Lucite base holder, Measures. 3.4" x 4.2" x 1.8"L.

This incredible pair of sancai-glazed Chinese roof tiles were once installed as part of the elaborate roof of a Ming-dynasty temple or grand courtyard home. Dated to the 17th century...

A large Lebrillo bowl, made in Granada, Spain in the late 18th century. Hand decorated using blue paints, most likely formed using a variety of ground mi...

A Pair of 18th Century Italian painted and Gilt Wooden Candlesticks, Candle Holders CIRCA 1750'S, Set upon Lion Paw Tri Feet with ornate carvings and decorated stems these beautfully...

This is a stunning half geode with a shape often referred to by collectors as a “chapel” or “cathedral”, due to the elongated shape that occurred millions of years ago when trapped b...

A stunning Spanish or North African faience deep bowl. 18th century. Well cared for with various old rim repairs typical of the form. Red ware base. 15 1/4" diameter, 4" height. We ...

Sculptural 18th century Italian mecca fragment candlestick with a fossil shell and wulfenite on a polished calcite base. The fragment was originally p...

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...

A large and heavy 18th century copper garden watering can. Hand-beaten or hammered copper can with a non-detachable pouring spout. The copper rolled handl...

Authentic horse armour face mask or chanfron, dated circa late 18th-early mid-19th century from Northern Italy in wrought iron. During the late Middle Age...

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...

This bronze standing Buddha mounted on a turned wood base has his right palm held outward in the abhaya mudra position, a gesture of fearlessness and reassurance.