Items Similar to 19th-century Carved, Painted and Gilt tortoise shell, 'the Cosmic Turtle'
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14
19th-century Carved, Painted and Gilt tortoise shell, 'the Cosmic Turtle'
About the Item
A highly unusual carved painted, gilt and gem-set tortoise carapace resembling the mythical Cosmic or World-bearing Turtle
Probably Germany, late 19th century
L. 32 x W. 26 x H. 20 cm
Provenance:
Private collection, Munich
Following the natural forms of the carapace, the artist carved medals all around and painted a surprising portrait gallery depicting the different peoples of the world, amongst them Maori, Sinhalese, Chinese, Tartars, Papuans American Indigenous, Inuit, Persians, Europeans and many more. On the upper part of the shell, coats-of-arms belonging to China, The United States, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, and Persia. Furthermore, the shell is decorated with miniature copies of famous Romantic paintings, and images of nature and men and with geometric patterns in polychrome and gold. An approximate globe map sits on the final, slightly rounded part of the shell.
In 19th century Germany, the Romantic wholesome idea of the mythical World-bearing turtle, appropriated from American Indigenous, Chinese and Hindu Mythology, was still very alive and an attractive thought. In the Wunderkammer, the criteria which governed the selection of objects, rarity and strangeness served to blur the boundaries and create a direct synthesis between the three kingdoms of ‘Exotica’, ‘naturalia’ and ‘artificialia’. As a whole, this meticulously decorated carapace is a formidable example of everything above.
- Dimensions:Height: 7.88 in (20 cm)Width: 10.24 in (26 cm)Depth: 12.6 in (32 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1870-1890
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Amsterdam, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5458231459712
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 1985
1stDibs seller since 2020
19 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 3 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Delft Polychrome Enameled Earthenware Parrot, 18th-19th CenturyLocated in Amsterdam, NLA fabulous polychrome enameled earthenware parrot Delft or France, 18th or 19th century Suspended from a ring, with modern powder-coated stand. Measure: L parrot 26 cm.Category
Antique 19th Century Dutch Ceramics
MaterialsEarthenware
- Fine Mughal Painting of a ‘Lion at Rest’, North India, Early 19th CenturyLocated in Amsterdam, NLA Mughal painting of a ‘Lion at rest’ North India, early 19th century ? Watercolour on paper, H. 46.5 x W. 68 cm ?The present painting is a large...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Indian Paintings and Screens
MaterialsPaper
- Orientalist Turkomania Wood Sculpture of an Ottoman, Early 19th CenturyLocated in Amsterdam, NLA carved and painted wood 'TURKOMANIA' sculpture of an ottoman soldier French or Dutch Turkomania, early 19th century Depicted in standing position, with a sword in one hand and a club in the raised other, with a fur hat, long moustache and long coat, on a square base. Measures: H. 58 cm Note: During the Dutch War of Independence from 1568 till 1648, the Dutch and Turks were allies against Roman Catholic Spain and the slogan of the Dutch was “liever Turks dan Paaps” (rather Muslim than Roman Catholic). In 1612 the first Dutch ambassador arrived in Istanbul. Nevertheless, in Holland, there was also the image of the cruel and heretic Turk stemming from the frequent violent clashes between Dutch ships and the pirates from Algiers, usually called the “Turkish pirates”. When the Ottoman armies advanced against Vienna, in the eyes of many Europeans the Islam bent on destroying Christianity. Later in the early 19th century, although the Turkish threat to Europe was long gone, the image of the Turks deteriorated again because of the Greek uprising. The Sultan Mahmud II understood that Turkey had to modernize along West European lines and among other things in 1808 he replaced the “picturesque” oriental clothing...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsWood
- Balinese Polychrome and Gilt Wood Sculpture of a Winged LionLocated in Amsterdam, NLA Balinese polychrome and gilt wood sculpture of a winged lion, Singa Bersayap Northeast Bali, Singaraja, Buleleng Regency, circa 1900-1930 H...Category
Early 20th Century Balinese Sculptures and Carvings
MaterialsWood
- Colonial Painting by Willem Imandt of the Merapi & Meraboe VulcanoLocated in Amsterdam, NLWillem Imandt (1882-1967) The Merapi and Meraboe vulcanos, central Java as seen from Willem Imandt’s villa at Moentilan, circa 1922 Signed Imandt lower right Measures: Oil on c...Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial Paintings
MaterialsPaint
- Chinese Export Trade Painting Depicting ‘the Tea Shop', Chinoiserie ChiqueLocated in Amsterdam, NLA refined Chinese export painting depicting ‘The Tea shop’ Canton, early 19th century Ink and watercolour on silk, H. 63.5 x W. 52.3 cm Framed in giltwood frame. ?The paintin...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
MaterialsSilk
You May Also Like
- 19th Century Italian Raised Gilt Gesso and Oil Painted PanelLocated in Dallas, TXOutstanding 19th century Italian raised gilt gesso and oil painted panel. Very pretty images of leaves, flowers and urns. An exceptional piece!Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Paintings
MaterialsGesso, Canvas, Paint
- Early 19th Century French Hand Painted Crest on Metal in Carved Gilt FrameLocated in Dallas, TXDecorate an office or study with this elegant antique wall decor. Crafted in France circa 1830, and set in the original carved gilt frame, the art w...Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Paintings
MaterialsSheet Metal
- 19th Century French Beach Oil Painting in Carved Gilt FrameLocated in Dallas, TXSet in the original carved gilt frame, this small oil painting on board was created in France, circa 1860; it features a typical fishing scene on the Brittany coast, with two people ...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Paintings
MaterialsGiltwood
- 19th Century French, Pastoral Pastel Painting in Carved Gilt FrameLocated in Dallas, TXDecorate a study, bedroom, or living space with this colorful antique pastel painting. Created circa 1880 and set in the original carved giltwo...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Paintings
MaterialsGiltwood
- 19th century Bas-Relief by Peter Nocker after Hans Holbein's Darmstadter MadonnaLocated in Troy, NYExquisitely carved small bas-relief after a painting by Hans Holbein the Younger (1497–1543) Signed P. Nocker. Peter Nocker, Austrian, (1826-1880) (see Benezit dictionary of artists)Category
Antique 19th Century Austrian Renaissance Paintings
MaterialsFruitwood
- French Miniature Lady's Portrait Gilt Bronze Frame Hand Painted, 19th CenturyLocated in Gardena, CAFrench Miniature Lady's Portrait Gilt Bronze Frame Hand Painted, 19th Century Signed. 19th Century. Baroque style young gentlewoman in a large green hat. Additional Information...Category
Antique 19th Century European Paintings
MaterialsBronze
