Antique Wood and Iron Chariot Wheel

This fascinating antique wooden statue depicts the Taoist God of Literature and Culture, Wenchang Wang. The statue was likely hand-carved in China in the 1700’s, but it is quite possible that it predates the 18th century. An iron stand has been added to the back more recently, although a portion of the back is excavated, indicating that the statue was once part of a larger installation. Wenchang has been posed in a seated position with his hands clasped in front of his body, which is a common representation of the god in artwork. The hands have a shallow incised section, indicating that Wenchang once held an object. Based on other statues and drawings of Wenchang from this time, it was most likely a hu scepter that once accompanied the statue. Wenchang is clad in an ankle-length robe and a ridged headdress. Although the statue’s color is predominantly natural wood, very old traces of polychrome can be seen throughout the piece indicating that it was once vividly painted. In China, those who study hard, and test well are often rewarded with high-ranking civil service jobs. The common belief is that Wenchang guides these scholars, leading many to seek his assistance. A statue of this size indicates it could have once been commissioned for a Chinese temple. Today, our wooden statue of Wenchang Wang would make a perfect piece of art in a study or library. It would work well with any contemporary interior, or with an interior displaying other very old Chinese artifacts...

This large French bronze sculpture depicts a family of deer traversing across a rocky terrain dotted with flowers. Sculpted in the late 1800s by Clovis-Edmond Masson, the sculpture has fantastic movement, as all three deer are depicted in full stride, with their hooves off the ground. The largest of the group is a stag with a wide antler spread and detailed musculature. To the stag’s left is a doe looking back towards a fawn, who is looking up at the stag. The sculpture has a rich, green-brown patination with areas that have retained the gold of the bronze. Behind the doe are two engravings: “C. Masson” and “Salon des Beaux-Arts”, indicating that the sculpture is the work of Clovis-Edmond Masson and was exhibited at the Paris Salon (the original). Clovis-Edmond Masson was born in Paris in 1838 and specialized in sculptures that accurately depicted animal behavior. Masson exhibited at the Salon regularly from 1867-1881, placing this sculpture in that time frame. The most famous work by Masson was commissioned by Rama V...

This carved giltwood eagle statue is portrayed with outstretched wings and legs pulled up as though just landing upon something. There is a wooden peg on ...

This charming pair of French terracotta statues depicts a male and female musician and was made during the latter half of the 1800s. Both statues have been stamped “GOSSIN PARIS” on the back sides. The Gossin factory in Paris was led by two brothers, Etienne (died in 1900) and Louis (1846-1928). The brothers regularly showed their wares at the official art exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts, the Salon de Paris, where they would often bring home medals for outstanding quality works. They were very well known for their ornamental terra cotta fabrications which were exhibited all-over the country, where they also took home various medals. Both of these statues represent musicians siting upon rocky bases decorated with flowers, and our male musician has been depicted holding a “musette de cour”, which is a relative of the bagpipe. The female musician can be seen with a “vielle à roue” in her lap. A vielle à roue is a string instrument that produces sound when a crank is turned. The crank rotates a wheel that rubs against the strings. The sound can be compared to that of a violin. Place this elegant pair of 19th century terracotta musician statues...

Rare pair of antique freezes with grapes in gilded wood: very beautiful. Probably they were part of some large mirror that broke, who knows where, when and how. They can be laid over...

Beautiful vintage crucifix of fine Italian manufacture from the 1950s. The vintage crucifix was made with nickel plated iron and gilded bronze. The v...

Wrought iron walking man and shadow bookends, each one with fine hand forged detail. The books in the listing are for display only and are not included.

Unique circa 1970s, USA Brutalist-style horse bookends composed of cut and soldered sheet metal heads and legs with carved wooden bodies and wire tails. Very good, vintage condition,...