Carved Arm Reliquary, Venice, First Half of, 17th Century

Large Terracotta relief of the flight into Egypt Lombardy, first half of 17th century Painted terracotta 91 x 85 x 11,5 cm This event in the early life of Christ is recounted i...

A Captive Soldier Gilt Bronze, Lost Wax Italie (Rome), 17th century H 17 x Dia 10 cm H 6 2/3 x Dia 4 inch The 17th century witnessed a flourishing of artistic expression across Eur...

Cerberus Black painted stone Italy, 17th century Measures: 80 x 69 x 36cm (one head missing) Cerberus, cruel monster, fierce and strange, Through his wide threefold throat barks as a dog Over the multitude immers'd beneath. His eyes glare crimson, black his unctuous beard, His belly large, and claw'd the hands, with which He tears the spirits, flays them, and their limbs Piecemeal disparts (Dante, Inferno, Canto VI). Cerberus figure seated, in his role of ferocious guardian of the underworld; he shows a nervous musculature, an adherent skin which reveals the ribs, long and robust limbs; his heads are broad and the eyes set well apart. Painted in black to amplify his menacing look, the infernal guardian is depicted with his famous attributes, writhing his heads, growling and barking furiously. Cerberus, in Greek mythology, was the monstrous watchdog of the underworld – also known as the “hound of Hades” – preventing the dead from leaving, and making sure that those who entered never left. A child of Typhon and Echidna, he was part of a monstrous family, which included Orthus, the Lernaean Hydra, and the Chimaera as well. Only on three occasions Cerberus was tricked by visitors of Hades: Heracles did it with his strength, Orpheus with his music. In "The Inferno", Dante places Cerberus as the guardian of the third circle of Hell. With his three mouths, Dante saw Cerberus as a beast that was synonymous with the sin of Gluttony. Virgil gets past the monster by throwing mud in his three mouths, temporarily choking him. Very rare are the representations of Cerberus in ancient statuary...

The Adoration of the Magi. Panel carved in high relief. Flanders, 17th century. Measures: 53 x 32,5 cm.

Plateau with two breasts, attribute of Saint Agatha Southern Italy, 17th century Polychrome and gilded wood 20 x 14,5 x 15 cm Born into a noble lineage, Agatha came into the world ...

Marble lion white marble France, probably Périgord, 17th century Small marble lion wearing a coat of arms pendant with the engraved date, ...

Spectacular and very decorative piece. Carved wooden reliquary bust representing a Saint figure. Beautiful traces of its original silver and gilding. Weathered, small losses and with...

Pair of painted carved wood and gesso, Italian, late 17th century, reliquary busts.

A rare and very charming door knocker, Venice, 17th century in bronze with special patina.

Mid 17th century Northern European carved figure of a saint. This striking statue depicts a saint who is dressed in robes, whilst holding his hand over his heart. This figure is freestanding and is stood within a leaning position which makes him stand out. It has been beautifully carved from oak and has remnants of its original paintwork. Likely to have stood within a church for many years and would have been removed due to renovation reasons. This historical figure...

Beautiful pair of French 17th Century Baroque carved wood figural sculptures. Amazing carving details with fabrics and faces being perfectly detailed. Each is made of solid wood in a...

Pair of Late 17th/Early 18th Century carved and polychrome Italian angel figures. Now mounted in modern stands. Wonderful baroque carving and retain original paint