Sculptures

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 ...

This Folk Art piece is a beautiful representation of the Candela festivity in Yanhuitlan, Oaxaca. A folkloric wall hanging representation of musicians, dancers, and tradition. Artist Manuel Reyes...

The World of Rodin by William Harlan Hale, published in 1976 by Time Life, USA. The World of Rodin 1840-1917 Hardcover With Slipcase Time Life Vintage Book. 192 pages, pictorial en...

A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a fertility doll...

Classic country Folk Art swan decoy of impressive scale, made of painted carved wood and having a wonderful aged patina.

Life size sculpture of a palm tree with a coconut crafted in wicker or reed wrapped over a metal frame with impressive stylized presence. From the FS Flores Collection...

Primitive architectural carved wood mounted Indian horse head A beautiful piece of folk architecture from the Indian continent, the horse head was usu...

Chi wara is a ritual headdress used by the Bambara people in Mali. Portrayed as both male or female figures Chi ware is associated with agriculture. This larg...

19th century English Folk Art copper weathervane A wonderfully pure example of a late 19th century English Folk Art handcrafted copper w...

A wonderful hand carved head of Hardwood. A stunning sculpted and carved piece. A stand alone decorative piece or can be used as a large book end. Truly a compliment to any space and...

These are a beautiful pair of Chinese soapstone Bookends made in China during the Republic period, Circa 1920. These bookends are individ...

A masterfully carved and hand painted wooden sculpture of a hunter with his dog and gun. This adorable sculpture, beautifully crafted in detail, will decorate any room or make a grea...

Massive vintage cotton elephant, covered in Indian textiles, retailed in the 1950s by Harrods. Exterior decorated in embroidered designs, tassels, tiny mirrors...

19th century carved pine folk art farmer and his oxen model We are proud to offer a unique example of a late 19th century hand carved pine folk art model of a farmer and his oxen. R...

This fine amber sculpture depicting Jesus Christ is a very rare object. Exemples of this sort can only be found in Germanic countries. Already used during Prehistoric times, amber have always fascinated people. Because of the virtues associated with this material amber was carved as amulets and prophylactic ornaments. As an expression of luxury and means amber was also used for adornments and small figures collected by the upper classes. This fossilized resin was picked on the Baltic Sea shores and soon entered a intense trade system. From the 14th century onwards knights of the Teutonic Order...

Adorable bronze jewelry stand or ring tree, ornate with summer meadow details. France, mid-20th century. Dimensions: height 8.5 cm / 3.34 in; width 8.5 cm / 3.34 in; length 14 cm / ...

Staffordshire Pottery pearlware bocage figure with a musical theme which features a couple seated before a tree, playing musical instruments. Sheep and dogs around them, seated on a ...

This vintage folk art hand carved and polychrome painted sculpture is signed with the maker's label of the ANRI group of cavers from Italy and done in circa 1960. This carving was bought from a private estate with another one of one entitled "Old Habitant", which has the identical script on the front and back, but posted separately. These carvings were done by the master carvers of the ANRI factory who worked from a model, usually unique to them, but this one shows it is an example of a work done by the Master Quebec wood...

A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a fertility doll...

18th century French or Italian Santo Nativity figure, a hand carved and painted fruitwood figure for a Christmas Creche or Krippe. Excellent and delicate details to the head and hands. The half figure stands on a dowel set into platform base, dressed in original fine linen robe...

A charming early 20th American Folk Art carved pine rooster weathervane with a wonderful silhouette with a large tail, applied wings, and copper legs all supported by an iron rod wit...

Scandinavian Folk Art nutcracker with man in cap decoration, circa 1920-1930s. Fine expressive facial and lovely hand painted details. Very nice, vintage condition with light wear co...

Very decorative wooden architectural elements made in India around the year 1900. These carriers, each 28 centimeters high, were part of ...

Gilt brass sculpture on stand, depicting a celebrating cowboy on a wild horse with great patina.

A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...

Vintage American wood women shoe form molds mounted as bookends Vintage wooden shoe making mold from the 1930s. A pair of shoe form bookends, these well carved solid wood shoe mould would have been used to make handmade shoes. These molds were traditionally made for each customer and would be used each time they came into the cobbler for a new pair of shoes. It is in good original condition with the patina and metal that shows age. Cobbler molds size 6.5 B model 258 Made from solid wood, I love these moulds because of their individual nature but also they are almost a piece of sculpture. This elegant women wooden shoes bookends form mold make a great addition to your vintage decor. Vintage hand carved wood cobbler shoe molds...

This large Folk Art wooden sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Europe and most likely Italy in circa 1920 in a Folk Art style. This large wooden carved sculpture depicts an elderly bearded man carrying a heavy basket on his back and holding the straps in the front to support the weight. This is quite a tall carving...

19th century Lao Buddha statue. Folk Art figure representation of Buddha. A solid wood block carving with remnants of pigments. To collectors Lao Buddha fig...

While the birth of Christ is briefly told in the Gospel of Luke (2, 7) it is in the apocryphal texts that we find most of the elements and details that have then inspired artists. As of the 14th century and even more of the 15th century the subject of the Adoration of the Child replaces in Western art the scene of the Birth, much favoured in Byzantine art. Instead of being depicted lying with the new-born swathed in the manger, the Virgin is now kneeling, her hands joined in prayer in front of the naked child. This change was probably hastened by the popularity of the visions of Saint Bridget of Sweden to whom the Virgin allegedly appeared to show how she had given birth to Jesus (Visions, VII, chap. 21). Sheltered by a thatch-roofed structure the Virgin is kneeling in front of the Child Jesus. She wears a magnificent red dress under a large gold cloak. Her curled blond hair is partially veiled. The newborn is lying on a straw mat. Joseph is depicted with a parted beard and stands opposite from the Virgin. He wears a tunic and a coat with a purse hanging from the belt. His costume reminds us of the long journey him and Mary have accomplished to reach Bethlehem. Two other women are present. One is looking through the stable’s window to observe the Holy Family while another one kneels in prayer in front of the divine child. The rich costume of the lady might indicate she is a donator. However they could also both represent the women who took part in the birth of Christ, Zelemi and Salome. Salome, incredulous did not believe in the virginal conception of Mary and she is represented far from the scene. The artist has depicted her with an expression of doubt on her face. Zelemi, on the contrary, is a believer. She is rewarded by a place of honour at the heart of the scene, close to Mary. To the left the donkey and ox that have accompanied Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem observe quietly the scene. On the foreground two angels hold a scroll reading an excerpt from the Gloria : “/Gloria/ in excelsis /Deo/.” One of the angels wears a blue cape while the other’s is red Those two colours are very significant as during Middle-Ages blue symbolises hope and red charity. Together they express the hope in redemption thanks to the advent of Christ and his sacrifice to come. Above the main scene, up a cliff, a small shepherd lets his herd of sheep graze amidst the trees. He is framed by two walled cities. This wood carving is the work of a very skilled and inventive artist. The piece bears witness to his exceptional talent. The realism of the scene is emphasised by the amount of details depicted. The refinement of the carving itself is highlighted by the well preserved polychromy. This key moment of the New Testament is set in a contemporary context thanks to the clothes of the characters and the scenes of rural life. The universal dimension of the scene is intensified while allowing contemporary viewers to grasp its meaning more easily. This care for details, the picturesque realism as well as the extraordinary rendition of the cloths suggest it was made by a Flemish artist during the late 15th century. This relief can be compared with the panel of the Nativity from the Saint-Vaast altarpiece made by Jacques Daret between 1433 and 1435, today in Madrid’s Thyssen-Bronemisza Museum. Literature Louis Réau, Iconographie de l’Art chrétien...

A charming and whimsical vintage hand carved stag sculpture in wood, with original distressed painted white finish, dating to the early 20th century. Exceptionally carved and sculpted from a single log, the solid wooden sculptural figure having no separation except for the removable and adjustable intricately crafted six point antlers and folding ears. Both easily adjust to allow positioning in different locations, such as on a narrow fireplace...

San Antonio Abad, Castilian school of the 15th century (1440-1501) Carving in polychrome wood, measures: 45 x 15 cm good vintage conditions.

This wood Christ bears signs of time without diminishing its grace nor its interest. This Christ presents some characteristic of the previous century. While the feet are missing the position of his legs, parallel one to the other, let us think his feet where placed side by side as in the 12th century’s crucifix. The remains of his perizonium let us guess the cloth was very short, displaying the knees and a part of the thighs. The figure is straight, the arms horizontal, the hands open -with tha palm then pierced by nails- and the thumbs parallel to the other fingers as in most of the 12th century’s Christ on...

Unusual set of German mid-20th century shop trade sign tools Every now and again we are lucky enough to acquire items that firstly we have never seen and secondly, we will never see...

Stunning Dorothy Gillespie metal ribbon wall sculpture, wonderful usr of color, texture and space. Photos do not do this piece of art any justice...

Bought from an Antiques shop in Sweden, this charming, richly patinated tripod bowl table is hewn from a solid log of Rosewood - weighing in at 7kg, it's an incredibly extravagant us...

A wonderful Folk Art carved and hand painted wooden seagull on base having an authentic weathered patina and faded grey, black and yellow color palette.

400-500 old Burmese sandstone "Holy Cow" sculpture with beautifully detailed carvings. Very decorative with natural patina. Mounted on a base of light sandst...

Vintage instructional mushroom model from an art school in France. Entire set pictured together in last three images.

An authentic Pair of Antique Cat and Dog Andirons in original as found condition. Ca. early 20th c. hollow cast brass. Each seated and looking out. The cat with a wide curled tail, t...

A large whimsical hand carved and painted antique Southeast Asian wooden hare sculpture with incised detailing, polychrome decoration and beautifully aged patina. Hand-crafted in th...

Exhibition Museum Cantini, 1952, The art of the Middle Ages in the Marseille collections, n°101 Provenance Former collection Louis Bresset (before 1952) Former collection Profe...

Nice pair of hand carved heavy wood bookends African Zebra sculptures. This fine detailed hand carved and hand painted elephant bookends. Each zebra sculpture with base and side is...

Presenting a glorious early 20th century Indonesian carved wooden seated gentleman. This is Beautiful bit of ‘treen’ carved most likel...

This Virgin and Child is wearing clothes with a limited number of folds and showing a thickness characteristic of the Burgundy region. As a result of the presence in the region of th...

The Saint depicted here is Saint James the Great. James is the brother of St. John the Evangelist. Nothing is known of his activities after the Ascension...

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...

19th century hand carved apothecary shop display figure. A rare hand carved 19th century apothecary shop display figure. Of German origin this figure would likely have sat either on...

Vintage carved wood Pinocchio sculpture. Charming vintage carved wood Pinocchio sculpture. This interesting bust of Pinocchio is well made with a ...

A whimsical shell-covered cat figurine. Delicately applied seashells cover this feline figurine in an array of browns. Great for the kitten lover, or for ...

A wonderful sculpture of a mans head... reminiscent of an Italian icon, the piece is unique and a wonderful stand alone decorative piece or can be used as a paper weight or bookend. ...

A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...

Seating on a bench-like throne the Virgin carries her child on her left knee. She bears an important crown high on her head .The Virgin has an ovoid face with bulging eyes, straight long nose and thin lips. The hair parts in the middle and are carved as thick horizontals parallel hair strands...

Wonderful decorative and heavy cast brass of a warrior horse or beast rider. The horse and warrior are very modern tribal elongated form. The tribal ho...

Superb polychrome carved wooden ram from Scotland-19th century Very elegant and surprising ram which is almost carved at life size which comes from a Manor in Scotland. Uncommon ...

A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...

This wood scultpure showing fine traces of polychromy depicts John the Baptist, one the Old Testament’s last prophets and the first martyr of the New Testament. He is easily recognizable with the lamb he is carrying in his left hand. The way the artist has carved the face exudes a spiritual strenght inherited from previous centuries. Description Saint John the Baptist is depicted bare feet, seated in a hieratic manner. His elongated face is marked by a beard and a moustache. The straight nose and wide eyes indicate a Spanish origin. This asumption is reaffirmed by the Saint’s resigned expression. His parted hair frames his face while uncovering his ears. He wears a round collar red-orange tunic, draped onto the body and belted at the waist. A flap of his green coat covers his knees and falls down in stylized pleats. Following iconographic rules Saint John the Baptist is pointing with his right hand the lamb seated...

A found object is a natural or man-made item, or fragment of an item that is found by an artist and kept because of some intinsic interest the artist sees in it. Beginning with Picasso, who incorporated newspapers and matchboxes into his cubist collages and constructions, this idea has been carried forward. It was popular with the Dada and Surrealist movements and with such great artists as Damien Hurst and Henry Moore. Here, artist Rick Farrell...

This face with prominent eyes, open mouth and beautiful hairs with symetrical undulations may be the face of the Archangel Gabriel.