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Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

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Period: Late 19th Century
Antique Hexagonal Spice Jar, Japanese, Glazed Earthenware, Pot, Meiji, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique hexagonal spice jar. A Japanese, glazed earthenware lidded pot, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Striking colour and charming decoration from the Meiji period. Displays a desirable aged patina, some marks commensurate with age. Distinctive hexagonal form a delight of bright green glaze. Inset panels host foliate relief Tapering circular lid with concentric detail in natural finish. This is an appealing antique spice jar...
Category

Japanese Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Very Large Renaissance Revival Silver Gilt and Enamel Sculpture by Böhm
By Hermann Böhm
Located in London, GB
Very large Renaissance Revival silver gilt and enamel sculpture by Böhm Austrian, c. 1880 Height 68cm, width 42cm, depth 29cm This stunning sculpture, created around 1880 by Herman...
Category

Austrian Renaissance Revival Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Vermeil, Silver, Enamel

Antique Satinwood and Wedgwood Jasper Stationery Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Victorian Circa 1870 From our Writing Boxes collection, we are thrilled to introduce this Satinwood and Biscuit Porcelain Stationery Box. The Stationery Box of rectangular shape with a slanted top lid veneered in golden Satinwood with a convex plinth base, Tulipwood inlay and gilt brass flowers. The exterior of the Stationery Box is beautifully finished with three Wedgwood Jasper biscuit porcelain style plaques bearing classical scenes including the Three Graces, Bellerophon watering Pegasus and the Dancing Hours. Each of the scenes are framed in gilt brass and finished with gilded brass ropework surrounding a draped brass escutcheon. The interior of the Stationery Box is partitioned ready for stationery and paperwork and features the makers mark on a plaque to the rear for Trussell Brighton. The Satinwood and Biscuit Porcelain Stationery Box dates to the second half of t 19th century during the Victorian period circa 1870. The Satinwood and Wedgwood Biscuit...
Category

English High Victorian Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Satinwood

Late 19th Century Oak-Copper French Cigar Box
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A nice antique cigar box, made of oak, decorated with bronze and copper mounts. Central plaque depicting horses. Lifting system. Space for 30 cig...
Category

French Belle Époque Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Late 19th Century French Wood Veneer Marquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An antique French tea caddy in Napoleon III style. The box is made of veneer beechwood, with beautiful grain. The lid is in slayed with lighter maple ...
Category

French Napoleon III Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Beech, Birdseye Maple

Antique Set of Three Green Glass Demijohn Hand Blown Bottles, Mecklenburgh
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of 3 mount blown green glass bottles packing glass, carboy for wine and essence. The term "carboy" and "demijohn" are largely alternative names for the same category of large gla...
Category

German Other Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Large Pair Of Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Wireless Vases Mt Fuji Sun Set
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Japanese Meiji Era wireless cloisonne or musen shippo vases. The vases have a light blue ground with a landscape depicting Mount Fuji on one vase and a landscape wi...
Category

Japanese Meiji Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

19th Century English Royal Worcester Porcelain Fairy Candlestick Lamp Standard
Located in Forney, TX
An exquisite English Royal Worcester porcelain Samuel Clarke Commissioned "Cricklite" candle "fairy lamp" standard - base, the rare figural statue in the form of a Grecian water carrier, modeled by James Hadley (English, 1837-1903), the exceptionally executed, richly detailed Neoclassical figure holding a vessel in her left hand and carrying an urn upon her head, wearing flowing robes, the body in blush ivory, the robes of green/gold hue, with gilt highlights. Circa 1898 Signed, underfoot having green printed mark, "Worcester Shot Enamel England 2 125" and imprinted markings by its side. Dimensions: (approx) 9.5" High, 3" Diameter Provenance: From the estate of Ali A. Abssi (1934-2020) and Florence Hall Abssi (1919-2014), founders of the Ishtar Gate...
Category

English Neoclassical Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Antique Carl Thieme Potschappel Dresden Lidded Vases Pedestals Sevres 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine & monumental pair of late 19th century Porcelain lidded urns on pedestals by Carl Thieme (Potschappel), with Sevres marks, circa 1880. The urns are in three three section...
Category

German Rococo Revival Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

French Napoleon III Spelter Athena Statuette circa 1890
Located in Labrit, Landes
French Art Nouveau spelter Athena statue. Very nice treatment of the subject in a detailed and nervous classic style with a high quality of details. Ver...
Category

French Napoleon III Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Spelter

French Majolica Chick Egg Cup Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Chick Egg Cup Circa 1890.
Category

Belgian Rustic Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

Quality Antique Chinese Bronze Vase
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality antique Chinese bronze vase having a quality ornate Chinese decorated bronze vase featuring a blossom tree, oriental male figure an...
Category

Chinese Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Late 19th Century Engraved Chinese Brass Box with Carved Nephrite White Jade Lid
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Antique carved nephrite white jade from a ruyi, mounted to the hinged lid of a conforming brass box. The inside of the lid and outer surfaces are engraved with propitious symbols. C...
Category

Chinese Chinese Export Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Jade, Brass

19th Century Samson Paris Porcelain Trinket Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a gorgeous French 19th century Samson Paris Porcelain Trinket Box probably by Edme Samson. Marked on the base with “Made in France” and unmistakably in the style and manner of Samson. The lid features hand painted floral bouquets on an ivory porcelain background with gold edging, surrounded by a sky blue lid with gold web or crackling effect.. The lid is hinged and the lid and base are edged in floral gilt metal mounts with Fleur De Lis clasp. It sits on 4 gilt metal or ormolu feet. The sides are likewise hand decorated. This wonderful antique hand painted box is just bursting with History. Inspired by Edme Samson of Samson & Co., Paris. we believe (based upon the markings and natural aging) that it was made between 1880– 1890 in France and was meant to resemble an antique of a much earlier period. It is very similar to Sevres pieces with it’s color, decoration and design. Samson specialized in reproducing antiques from the 1600 and 1700s. One of his most interesting works was his Heraldic or Armorial pieces. With this medium sized box, he was not only copying the larger porcelain caskets or coffin boxes...
Category

French Louis XVI Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Seth Thomas Adamantine Victorian Faux Marble Shelf Mantel Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Seth Thomas Adamantine Victorian Faux Marble Shelf Mantel Clock. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 11" H x 16" W x 7" D.
Category

Unknown Victorian Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Scandinavian 19th Century Hand-Carved Folk Art Duck Decoy
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Scandinavian 19th Century Hand-Carved Folk Art Duck Decoy. The duck has a charming tilt to it head and charming patina throughout. Wonderful collectable piece to add to a grouping.
Category

Scandinavian Folk Art Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Paint

Chinese Blue and White Baluster Vase
Located in New York, NY
Chinese blue and white baluster vase. Strong blue and white Chinese vase with birds, butterflies and flowering trees surrounding p...
Category

Chinese Qing Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Rare English Victorian Silver Cigar Compendium on Wheels, 1884
Located in Bath, GB
An example we have never seen in ever before making it a particularly rare, fun and special piece. Made from solid English sterling silver, it is fixed with four castors on the un...
Category

British Late Victorian Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

E Picault, Perseus Or The Birth Of Pegasus, Signed Sculpture, Late 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Perseus or the Birth of Pegasus: large group in patinated regular representing Perseus and the winged horse Pegasus Large sculpture signed E Picault and bearing the mention 'Salon d...
Category

French Other Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Spelter

Antique Meiji Period Japanese Imari Plate with Flowers, Late 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Antique Meiji period Japanese Imari Plate with flowers. Late 19th c. Lovely small plate. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Japanese Style: Kutani Region of Orig...
Category

Japanese Meiji Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Wine Jar
Located in New York, NY
Chinese earthen ware storage jar. 19th century stoneware large black glaze storage jar. Excellent shape having wide raised mouth opening with flared ri...
Category

Chinese Qing Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Antique 19th Century English 8 Day Fusee Brass & Glass Dome Skeleton Clock, 1870
Located in Portland, OR
A good & large antique 19th century eight day single fusee skeleton clock, under a glass dome, circa 1870. The clock has just been serviced and o...
Category

English Victorian Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century Doulton Lambeth Floral Vase
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A Doulton Lambeth stoneware vase, decorated with beautifully hand-painted flowers by A. Euphemia Thatcher. The Doulton Lambeth factory, like many potteries of the 19th and early 20t...
Category

English Arts and Crafts Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery, Stoneware

Late 19th Century Candlesticks - Gilt Bronze - Regency Style
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of refined French Régence style candlesticks. Made of bronze with a gilded patina. Made in France, 1880-1890 Dimensions: 27 (h) x 13.5 x 13.5 cm Free shipping worldwide
Category

French Regency Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Pair Of Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vases Namikawa School
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Japanese cloisonne enamel early Meiji translucent enamel vases . Each vase has an urn shaped body, a wide neck, and a fluted base. The vases are adorned with polychrome ena...
Category

Japanese Meiji Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Set of 3 Late 19th Century Assembled Spun Brass Buckets with Steel Wire Handles
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Assembled set of three spun brass kettles, (in various heights and graduated diameters 10-1/2”, 9-1/2” & 8-1/2”) with steel wire handles. Small and middle sized kettles are stamped o...
Category

American Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Steel

Jules MOIGNIEZ (1835-1894) - Large Statue of a Hunting dog holding a pheasant
Located in TEYJAT, FR
Large Statue in patinated spelter. Hunting dog holding a pheasant, signed Jules MOIGNIEZ (1835-1894). 31 cm high x 37 cm width. Jules Moigniez was a 19th-century French animal scul...
Category

French Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Spelter

Antique Swiss Black Forest Bear Sculpture Umbrella & Cane Stand by Ruef Brothers
By Ruef Brothers
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare hand-crafted entree stand. . .signed ‘RUEF’. (Ruef Brothers) This beautifully carved Black Forest bear will always be there to greet you when you come home. It does not matter...
Category

Swiss Black Forest Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Peugeot Freres Cast Iron Coffee Grinder , 1880's
Located in Ross, CA
Cast iron coffee grinder made by Peugeot Freres in France in the latter part of the 19th century. The grinder is Modele A No 1 and is in good working order. The cast iron base inclu...
Category

French French Provincial Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Iron

Chinese Red Pigskin Box On Stand
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular box with longevity symbols. Hinged top with brass lock. Later ebonized and line gilt base with square section legs.
Category

Chinese Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Majolica Duck Wall Pocket Delphin Massier, Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Large French Majolica duck in flight wall pocket Delphin Massier, circa 1890. Height / 11.8 inches. Lenght / 15.5 inches. Depth / 6 inches.
Category

French Rustic Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

19th Century English Diminutive Parian Bust of Apollo Belvedere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century English diminutive Parian bust of apollo Belvedere, a well executed example, raised on a 3-inch diameter solace base. Unmarked.
Category

English Classical Roman Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Falconer Bronze Sculpture After Adolphe Martial Thabard (1831-1905)
By Adolphe Martial Thabard
Located in New York, NY
Patinated bronze statue of a falconer after the original model by Adolphe Martial Thabard (1831-1905). A winner of multiple medals at the Paris Salon, this particular model won the ...
Category

French Neoclassical Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Ormolu Gilt Bronze Picture Frame - Louis XVI Style - France
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique ormolu gilt bronze picture frame. Very fine details, Louis XVI style. France, circa 1880-1890. The picture frame is 15,5 cm tall, the diameter is Ø12 cm. Diame...
Category

French Louis XVI Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Round Picture Frame, Victorian, France, 1890s, 11 x 11 cm
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful round picture frame from France, circa 1890, with exceptional fine embellishments.
Category

French Late Victorian Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Pair of French Porcelain and Bronze Candle Holders Napoleon III
Located in Milano, MI
Pair of candlesticks in French Sevres style porcelain and hand-painted bronze, made in the second part of the 19th century. Two little cracks are present, as shown in the pictures. ...
Category

French Napoleon III Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Massive 1880 Antique Ormolu Bronze Enameled Automaton Musical Bracket Clock
Located in Danville, CA
Massive 1880 Antique Ormolu Bronze Enameled Automaton Musical Bracket Clock An important, exhibition quality ormolu bronze bracket clock of massive proportions, the case decorated in Champlevé enamels and a variety of cast decorative elements that include a large urn and four full columns topped by acanthus buds, ladies faces on all four columns, egg and dart trim, four large detailed paw feet. The arched door with beveled glass opens to the clock face topped by an iridescent bird automaton within a painted diorama framed...
Category

German Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Set of 2 Spanish Woven Wicker Olive Grape Harvest Basket
Located in Miami, FL
Rustic Spanish chateau champagne grape harvesting basket constructed from woven wicker reeds. Features a thick braided top with handles ...
Category

Spanish Spanish Colonial Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Wicker

Antique Pair French Duck Egg Bleu Sevres Urns 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique pair of French Sevres porcelain twin masque head handled lidded urns with dome lids, in the Louis XV manner, Circa 1870 in date. The vases with a duck...
Category

French Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century black forest walnut cuckoo clock
Located in Martlesham, GB
A superb quality 19th Century black forest carved walnut cuckoo clock with a 30 hour movement, the clock portraying a hunting scene consisting of a dears head at the top with antlers...
Category

Swiss Black Forest Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Late 19th Century Bronzen Sculpture Boy Playing with Whippet by Jules Moigniez
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An antique refined bronze sculpture of boy playing with a hoop and a stick go with a Whippet/Greyhound dog. It has the original patina, signed on the base: Jules Moigniez. Made in Fr...
Category

French Belle Époque Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Inkwell, Gilded Bronze, Thatched Roof Cottage, Circa 1880
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional antique inkwell made from bronze, gilded. Little house with cute details. Nice bronze work, beautifully chiseled. The original glass insert is existing. A similar inkwell...
Category

Unknown Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Bronze

German Gustav Becker 3 Weight Grand Sonnerie Vienna Regulator Wall Clock
Located in Danville, CA
Highly Carved German 3 Weight Grand Sonnerie Quarter Strike Vienna Regulator Wall Clock Here is an excellent 3 weight driven regulator wall clock. This clock is 52-1/4" tall and 17-3/8" wide. It features a solid brass movement and chimes every 15 minutes, which are driven by three engraved weights. This clock has Grand Sonnerie striking...
Category

German Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Italian 19th Century Capodimonte Porcelain Full-Relief Gallant Scene
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). A monumental Italian Capodimonte c...
Category

Italian Neoclassical Revival Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Austrian Cold-painted Bronze Figure of a Red Squirrel
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Austrian Cold-painted Bronze Figure of a Red Squirrel Made in Austria Austrian Cold-painted Bronze Figure of a Red Squirrel, late 19th/early 20th century, the figure modeled stand...
Category

Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany & Co. Antique Bronze Bust of Diane De Poitiers
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Neoclassical or Renaissance Revival style bronze bust of Diane De Poitiers By Tiffany & Co. USA, Late 19th Century Measures: 5.25"W x 4"D x 10.5"H. Good original vinta...
Category

American Neoclassical Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair Of Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Trumpet Vases Dragons Attributed To Honda
Located in New York, NY
A antique pair of Japanese cloisonne enamel Meiji period vases. Each vase has a trumpet shaped body, a wide fluted neck, and a fluted base. The vases are adorned with polychrome enam...
Category

Japanese Meiji Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Late 19th Century Louis XVI Ormolu Gilt Round Pictureframe
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined round picture frame in Louis XVI style. Ornate with flower garlands, ribbon and bow. Made in France around 1880-1890. The picture frame is in very good condition. Beautiful...
Category

French Louis XVI Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Bronze Bust of Dionysus by Sabatino de Angelis
By Sabatino De Angelis
Located in Richmond, London
A superb 'Grand Tour' bronze bust, traditionally described as Dionysus (Dionysos), after the original excavated at the Villa of the Papyri in 1754, by the Sabatino and Sons foundry, ...
Category

Italian Classical Roman Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Staunton Fierce Knight Weighted Club Chess Set 8.5cm Kings Jointed Box, 19th C
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good quality and complete English handmade hardwood "Weighted" Club Chess Set game of 32 pieces, in the Staunton Fierce Knight pattern, all within a jointed wood box ...
Category

British Late Victorian Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Glass Vase Louis C. Tiffany New York Tiffany Studios 1894 signed
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Glass vase designed by Louis C. Tiffany, manufactured by Tiffany Studios New York, 1894, signed signed "L. C. T. B2216" (underneath) Material and technique: mouth-blown glass, reduced and iridescent Louis Comfort Tiffany (New York 1848 – 1933 New York) was a famous American designer, artist and painter of American Art Nouveau. He was best known for his works in glass colored with metal salts and made a name for himself in the decorative arts at the time. In the course of his career, he created a unique style that combined outstanding craftsmanship with a love for natural shapes and bright colors. Nature had always been his inspiration and in his designs he tried, in his very own way, to capture its beauty forever. Tiffany designed lamps...
Category

American Art Nouveau Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Antique Venetian Murano Red Gold Flecks Fish Stem Italian Art Glass Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, antique, early Venetian / Murano hand blown ruby red with gold flecks Italian art glass with ornate fish stem vase / table object. Created in the manner of the Salviati an...
Category

Italian Art Nouveau Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Leaf

19th Century Murano Glass Paperweight - Pen Holder
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique paperweight, handmade from multi colored glass, in the shape of a rooster. On top a small vase, probably intended to hold a pen. ...
Category

Italian Belle Époque Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass, Art Glass

Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Sculpture "Venus de Milo" by F. Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
A large and impressive late 19th Century bronze study of the famous Venus de Milo sculpture of antiquity with excellent rich brown patina and good hand finished surface detail, inscribed F.Barbedienne foundry ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Height: 95 cm Width: 28 cm Depth: 28 cm Condition: Excellent Original Condition Circa: 1890 Materials: Bronze Foundry: F.Barbedienne SKU: 7741 ABOUT The Barbedienne Foundry is a famous 19th century bronze foundry, whose statues and art objects became rapidly very renowned. This bronze studio co-worked with other trades, and put his name to a great variety of works, such as furnishing in particular. Attending every World's Fair of its time, the Barbedienne Foundry was regularly awarded, notably at the World's Fair of 1855 where it was awarded the Great Medal of Honor. A Parisian bronze maker and caster, Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) creates a firm in 1839 in collaboration with Achille Collas, the inventor of the mechanical method to obtain copies of sculptures at a smaller scale. With this groundbreaking proceed, they facilitated an unprecedented production. Under the “Collas et Barbedienne” name, they specialized in Antiquity copies and perfected new chemical methods for the color and patina finish of their bronzes. As a true Romantic, Ferdinand Barbedienne is committed to democratization of arts, he thus realizes numerous Antiquity copies and stimulates his contemporaries’ works broadcasting. A great deal of famous sculptures are hence cast by the Barbedienne Foundry. All his life, Barbedienne co-worked with the greatest artists, sculptors or designers of his time, such as Edouard Lievre, Ferdinand Levillain, Attarge, Aizelin, Barye or Fremiet. Statues aside, he products a great deal of decorative artifacts, such as clocks, vases, mirrors, etc. Since 1855, Ferdinand Barbedienne collaborates with the famous decoration designer Louis-Constant Sévin (1821-1888). Joining the firm as a sculptor-designer, he stays loyal to it his life long, always finding more new designs for daily objects, which hence become true art works. Sevin’s creations, specialized in the “Neo-Greek” style, were particularly appreciated for antiquity reference in decorative arts, just like the great mirror preserved by the Orsay Museum. He also teams up with enamelers including Alfred Serre, and develops a set of “cloisonnés” enamels that made the headlines at the World's Fair of 1862 in London, which was the very beginning of the art of enamel’s return. In collaboration with Serre, Barbedienne realized between 1878 and 1889 the Monumental Clock in Renaissance style, decorated with enamels, which is preserved in the Paris City Hall. Venus de Milo Facts about Venus de Milo sculpture. For much of the world, the mystery of the Venus de Milo lies in her missing arms. But there’s much more to this iconic statue than a couple of absent appendages. 1. Venus de Milo‘s title is a bit misleading. It’s popularly believed that this Grecian statue depicts the Greek Goddess of love and beauty, who was often rendered half-naked. However, the Greeks would have called this deity Aphrodite. Nonetheless, the Roman-inspired Venus de Milo caught on. 2. She’s named in part for where she was discovered. On April 8, 1820, a farmer named Yorgos Kentrotas came across the statue in pieces within the ruins of an ancient city on the island of Milos (formerly known as Melos). 3. Alexandros of Antioch is credited with her creation. A sculptor of the Hellenistic period, Alexandros is believed to have carved this masterpiece between 130 and 100 BCE. The inscription on the plinth—the slab on which the statue rested—that identified him as Venus de Milo‘s creator was lost nearly 200 years ago. 4. She might not be Venus. Some have suggested the sculpture is not Aphrodite/Venus, but Amphitrite, the sea goddess who was particularly adored on Milos. Still others have proposed she’s Victory, or perhaps a prostitute. With her arms long missing, would-be context clues have been lost for centuries. A spear could have meant one thing, a spool of thread another. If she held an apple—as some reports claim—it could mean she was Aphrodite, holding the award given to her by Paris before the Trojan War began. To this day, it’s a matter of passionate debate. 5. She became a gift to the King of France. When Kentrotas called upon a French naval officer to help him unearth the spectacular sculpture, he began a chain of events that would eventually lead to the Marquis de Rivière presenting Venus de Milo to Louis XVIII. In turn, the ruler gave the statue to the Louvre, where it is on display to this very day. 6. The loss of her limbs is the fault of the French. Kentrotas did find fragments of an arm and a hand when he uncovered the statue in the ruins, but as Venus de Milo was being reassembled, those arms were discarded for having a “rougher” appearance. Modern art historians believe that the variation of finish does not mean those arms did not belong to Venus, but both the arms and the original plinth have been lost since the piece moved to Paris in 1820. 7. The original plinth was ditched on purpose. Sight unseen, early 19th century art historians decided the newly discovered Venus must have been the work of Greek artist Praxiteles, and publicized the work as such. This attribution would have placed the piece in the Classical period (5th through 4th centuries BCE), which was more respected artistically than the Hellenistic period. To save face and better promote Venus de Milo—even at the cost of misinforming the public—the plinth was removed before it was presented to the King. 8. Venus de Milo was meant to make up for a national embarrassment. During his conquests, Napoleon Bonaparte had plundered one of the finest examples of Greek sculpture, Venus de’ Medici, from Italy. In 1815, the French government returned that beloved sculpture, but in 1820, France embraced the chance to fill the hole its absence left in the French culture and national pride. As such, Venus de Milo was promoted as being even greater than Venus de’ Medici upon her Louvre debut. The ploy worked, and the piece was met with almost universal praise from artists and critics. 9. Renoir was not impressed. Perhaps the most famous of Venus de Milo‘s detractors, the celebrated Impressionist painter dismissed this delicate depiction of grace and female beauty as “a big gendarme.” 10. She went into hiding during World War II. By the autumn of 1939, war threatened to descend on Paris, so Venus de Milo along with some other priceless pieces, such as Winged Victory of Samothrace and Michelangelo’s Slaves, were whisked away for safekeeping at various châteaux in the French countryside. 11. She’s been robbed! Venus is missing more than just her arms. She was originally draped in jewellery including a bracelet, earrings and a headband. These flourishes are long lost, but the holes for fixing them to the piece remain in the marble, giving clues to the missing accessories. 12. She lost her colour. While it’s easy for today’s art admirers to think of Greek statues as white, the marble was often painted in the style of polychromy. However, no trace of the original paint scheme remains on Venus de Milo today. 13. She’s taller than most people. Even with her slight slouch, Venus de Milo stands at 6 feet 8 inches tall. 14. She could be a copy. Art historians have noted that Venus de Milo bears a striking resemblance to Aphrodite of Capua, which is a Roman era copy of a possibly late 4th century BCE bronze Greek original. That would be at least 170 years before Alexandros carved his goddess, leading some to speculate that both statues are actually replicas of an older statue...
Category

French Art Nouveau Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Inkwell, Gilded Bronze, Antique Desk Utensil, French Pen Holder, Around
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful antique inkwell made from gilded bronze. Nicely coloured ceramic parts. The plate is made of marble. Nice bronze work with a well preserved gilding. The original glass...
Category

Unknown Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Gold, Bronze

Pair of "Clair de lune" Vases attr. to Baccarat & E.Rousseau, France, circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful pair of blue-tinted crystal “rouleau” vases decorated with Japanese-style enameled decoration representing a gilded full moon reflecting a tree with flowering branches, sur...
Category

French Japonisme Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Enamel

Antique Triple Hat Transit Case, English, Leather, Top Hat Box, Victorian, 1890
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique triple hat transit case. An English, leather top hat box, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1890. Superb antique hat box...
Category

British Late Victorian Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather, Cotton

19th Century black forest carved wood casket
Located in Martlesham, GB
A superb quality 19th Century black forest caved wood casket, having wonderful crisp carving throughout, the hinged top lifting up to reveal a large compartment space, has the origin...
Category

British Black Forest Antique Late 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

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