Antique Terracotta Roof Tile with Dove from the South of France

This pair of large oak boiserie elements were carved in Normandy, France, circa 1880. Boiserie is the French term for “woodwork”, but the phrase is genera...

This is a beautiful example of a French lucarne, which was recently salvaged from a Chateau in the Ile-De-France region (near Paris). Pieces like this were built into the sides of a ...

Found in a chateau in Loriol du Comtat, in the Provence region of France, this large-scale plaster sculpture is signed and dated by the artist, making it a rare find. Originally part of a boiserie containing a fireplace, the sculpture decorated the main hall of the chateau. The artist, Marius Sain, created the piece for the owners of the chateau in 1914. The lovely depiction of a shepherdess and her flock is a fitting subject for an area of France in which shepherding is such an important part of the culture. The preserved heritage of transhumance in Provence goes back at least 800 years, as evidenced by collections of ancient songs, stories, and art. Life-size in scale, the lovely sculpture features a mix of high-, mid-, and low-relief embellishments. A hooded shepherdess tends to her flock of sheep with a crook in hand. A dog sits calmly at her feet as the flock gathers in front of them. Both the shepherdess and the dog are in high relief, as is the lead sheep. The lamb seen suckling from the front sheep was crafted in mid relief, as is the visible head on the far right of the sculpture. There are a few sheep behind them in low relief. Large trees can be seen on either side of the group, while off in the background (faintly visible) are a castle with four fastigiate Mediterranean cypress trees (known as Stricta) and a spired church. The attention to detail is magnificent, with textured surfaces including the animals’ fur and the uneven ground. A previous owner (recently) had an iron and limestone stand created for displaying purposes. The cream-colored limestone has been cut into three pieces and is inset into the six-legged iron frame. Block print on the plaster can be seen just above the edge of the stand. The letters read Le Soir, which is French for “The Night”. The right side of the sculpture has been signed “M Sain 1914”. Marius Joseph Sain was born in 1877 in Avignon, France. In 1902, Sain moved to Paris to study at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. Through introductions by his older brother and painter, Paul...

Cast in reconstituted stone, circa the 1950s, this statue of the Greek god, Pan, rests on top of an Ionic order capital, standing over six feet tall. Discovered at a chateau in Vicennes, France, less than five miles east of Paris, the statue was part of an outdoor installation, as indicated by the buildup of moss and lichen. The stone was cast with a gray hue, but has developed a speckled patina of white, brown, and ochre. Considered a half body sculpture...

These monumental arched antique door shutters were salvaged from a 19th century French chateau. They would have been on the ground floor, attached...

Crafted in France, circa 1920, this zinc roof finial was repurposed at a later date into an oversized lamp base. The metal has a gray hue but has developed areas of gold and black fr...

A circa 18th century Chinese Ming dynasty-style equestrian form glazed pottery roof tile. Classic figural depiction of a proud celestial warrior on horseback, hand-crafted of eart...

This near pair of wood carving presented on stand was collected from Northern Thailand, late 19th or early 20th century. Such ornaments were used originally to decorate the roof of the transitional buildings in Southeast Asia. They were carved in the lovely Silhouette of Hong bird...

Beautiful and very rare zinc roof ornament with a dove. France, circa 1850-1900. Weathered, minor losses and small old repairs. H:71cm W:33cm D:12cm

A pair of French second Empire terracotta architectural fragments from the mid-19th century with fruit motifs. We currently have two pairs available, priced and sold per pair. Born i...

A pair of Qing dynasty (1636–1912) Sancai glazed ceramic figural roof tiles with rich beautifully aged patina! Dating to the 19th century, wonderfully hand-crafted and painted, sculptural form depicting stylized fish, rising on terracotta clay arched imbrex barrel roof tile. Dimensions: (approx) Each; 13" High, 4.5" Wide, 9" Deep; 8.6lbs total Condition: Great original antique condition with heavy patina over the whole. Significant crazing - craquelure throughout that can only be acquired over long periods of time. Wear consistent with age. We have not cleaned them, leaving them as original, and retaining as much antique character as possible. If you would like them cleaned and polished please let us know after ordering them. History: The Fish, ? (yú) figure is believed to be a symbol of good fortune and longevity. The Fish is one of the several natural or mythical creatures such as Foo Dogs - Guardian Lions that adorn roof edges of Chinese religious temples, official buildings and important structures. Brightly hand painted and glazed ceramic roof tiles...

Terracotta Dragon Roof Ridge Finial This fearsome finial has a lovely weathered patina and it is a really great decorative pieces The Dragon is in good s...