15th Century and Earlier Sculptures

Southern Costa Rica/Western Panama, circa 800 to 1500 AD. Gold Veraguas-Chiriqui-Diquis twin figure pendant cast by the lost-wax (cire perdu) grasping an imaginary club with their claws, with bat ears and pop out eyes and each figure ending in the shape of a jaguar tooth, symbolizing the power of the jaguar and the ability to see in the dark; The casting process did not go entirely smoothly. Part of his mold, on the side of the proper right figure (viewer's left side), did not fill with metal. The Pre-Columbian goldsmith carried out a superb repair, probably making a wax patch and pouring gate on the gold pendant, then enclosing it in a new mold and pouring in more metal. The patch is hardly visible on the outside. A modern goldsmith, who cannot do it as well, would use his gas torch to solder on a patch. The gold is of such high grade or karat, possibly unalloyed native gold...

1175.5 Gram Elongated Black Tourmaline Attached In The Middle Of Quartz Bunch and Fluorite Weight: 1175.5 Grams Dimension: 12.5 x 12.8 x 12.6 Cm Origin: Skardu, Pakistan Tourma...

‘Desert Rose’ selenite crystal Formation desert roses are crystal clusters formed of gypsum barite and sand. It can take nature up to hundreds of th...

A large natural white smithsonite specimen. Once forming part of a private UK collection, this striking white specimen displays a unique irregular shape originating from Mexico. Sm...

This beautiful hand polished petrified wood slice is sourced from Madagascar and comes with an elegant metal display stand. It has an amazing pattern with vibrant hues of brown, yell...

Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa. Cretaceous Age 65 million years Carcharodontosauru...

Another formation of quartz pseudomorphs after anhydrite. The beautiful medley of quartz crystals formed over anhydrite crystals, which subsequently dissolved, leaving tan coloured q...

Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa. Cretaceous Age 65 million years Carcharodontosaurus is one of the longest and heavi...

Circa 1000 - 1500 CE Pre Colombian. Columbia, Tairona. Beads. A lovely bracelet of a wearable comprised or 17 seed form, tubular and ovoid beads carve...

A gorgeous sculptural piece of elestial quartz. So-called elestial quartz originates from Brazil and is admired for its three-dimensional quality and transparent-smokey appearance. A...

Exquisite minerals fuse together in this uniquely beautiful combination of pinkish amethyst, white quartz and grey and brown agate on a custom metal stand. The natural sculpture rese...

A really nice piece of rugged petrified wood, circa pre-history. Brightly colored tan, brown and cream tones with naturally formed patterns caused by fossilization over millions of ...

Interesting object. A piece of fossilized wood. It has been polished and finished to all sides and edges. It has an almost bone-like grain structure. T...

This exceptional metatarsal from Camptosaurus, a plant-eating dinosaur of the Late Jurassic, offers a rare opportunity to own a genuine piece of paleontological history. Camptosaurus...

This substantial Triceratops jaw bone fossil from offers a rare glimpse into the anatomy of one of the most iconic dinosaurs of the Cretaceous period. With rugged surface detail and ...

A simple and elegant Roman bronze hand mirror, late Republic Period, circa 1st century, Italy. The bronze mirror of simple form. The round face with a pierced border design. The openwork handle...

Bordered by a thick, blueish agate layer, this wonderful slice preserves an interior of large white quartz crystals with a prominent centr...

Set of three prehistoric ammonite fossil, unmounted. Measurements: Big amonite: Depth *4.5in Width *5.5in Height *1.6in Medium amonite: Depth *4.1in Width *5.1in Height *1.6in...

Sculpture In Polychrome Wood Representing Saint Anthony Hermit Origin : East of France Period : End of the 15th century Measures: Height : 97 cm Width : 32 cm Depth : 26 cm Polychrome wood The saint is represented by an old, bearded man, dressed in a hooded monk’s habit over the tunic of his religious order. He is stood upright, holding an open book, La Règle des Antonnites, in his right hand. In the other hand, he is holding a staff in the form of the Greek letter tau with a rosary hanging down over it. At his feet lies a pig wearing a small bell around its neck. He rests on his right leg, whilst the left advances forward as if he were about to start walking. His belted tunic, forming several rectilinear pleats, is covered by a habit which is open only at the waist, therefore revealing these pleats. He is also wearing a hooded scapular over his shoulders. His thick hair escapes from under a distinctive hat, forming a collection of finely sculpted ringlets. This fine detail is also applied to the four long ringlets of his superb beard, which sit just below the shorter ones of his moustache. His face is a picture of harmony, with lowered eyes and his small mouth lost amongst the abundance of hair. At his feet on a pedestal of flames, hinting to the fire of Saint Anthony no doubt, a pig trying to scratch its ear. Born in 251 in Upper Egypt, he withdrew into solitude at a very young age. He would have been plagued in the desert with extremely diabolical temptations. He payed a visit to Saint Paul the hermit towards the end of his life. He was the dean of the Thébaïde anchorites, who was miraculously fed by a crow. On the day that Saint Anthony visited, the crow brought two portions of bread in its beak instead of one. Some time after, having learnt of the death of his venerable brother, Saint Anthony went to bury him with the help of two lions. The King of Catalonia pleaded to come and exorcise his posessed wife and children. He left Thébaïde for Barcelona. He appeared at the house of the provost André, bringing him a sow in his mouth, a monstrous piglet born without eyes. André wanted to kill it but Anthony stopped him, telling him that the poor beast wanted to ask for healing, as the King had done for his offspring. He made a sign of the cross on the piglet and it suddenly acquired its sight and the members which it did not have at birth. After which, André, guided by Saint Anthony, exorcised the Queen of Catalonia in the same way whilst she knelt at his feet. Théophile discovered the body of Saint Anthony wrapped in a palm fibre tunic which he had been given by Saint Paul the Hermit. In the Red Sea Desert there are two Coptic, IV century, monasteries which stand next to each other, one dedicated to Saint Anthony, the other to Saint Paul the Hermit. They are the oldest monasteries in the Christian world. The body of the famous hermit was transported to Constantinople and would have been transferred into the abbaye, Saint Antoine-en-Viennois, Dauphine. The Antonnite Order was a charitable order which specialised in treating contagious diseases. The fire of Saint Anthony, was identified by doctors as a grangrenous ergotism, caused by a diet of rye bread contaminated with the parasite ergot. The effect of this is the drying out of hands and feet which then need amputation, the plague and then later syphilis. All the skin diseases came from Saint Anthony. Saint Anthony’s pilgrimage to Dauphine rivaled that of Saint Jacques to Compostela. Thanks to the various commanderies created by the mother house, Saint Anthony’s cult spread throughout Christianity. In order to maintain commanderies and their hospitals, the Antonnites resorted to pig farming. They enjoyed having the benefit of letting their pigs roam freely through the streets of the villages, with little bells round their necks that had a recognisable chime so that they were able to find them. This privilege was very envied by other monastic Orders. Saint Anthony was the patron saint of several crafts such as basket makers and gravediggers. However it is to the pig that he owes the majority of his patronages; pigkeepers, pig sellers, butchers, porc butchers, brush makers who use pig bristle and bell-ringers because of the pig bells...

Japanese statue of Datsue-ba also known as Shozuka no Baba, Kamakura- Muromachi period. Antique Japanese statue of Datsue-ba or Shozuka no B...

Virgin and child in majesty with a bird Origin: Southern Germany Or Austria Period: Late 13tth - Early 14th Century Height : 87.5 cm Length : 32 cm Depth : 19 cm Lime ...

Beautiful lamp, carved from a block of translucent Mexican banded onyx.

Bactrian marble column idol, circa 3000-2000 BC. It has an elegant tapering form with a undeep groove running on the top. The colomn has incrustation on the side where it laid on the...

Genuine Spinosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth. Spinosaurus (meaning "spine lizard") is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in what now is North Africa, during the upper Albian to upper T...

Beautiful Indicolite Tourmaline Specimen From Afghanistan Weight: 15.88 Gram Dim: 2.5 x 3.8 x 1.9 Cm Origin: Kunar , Afghanistan An indicolite tourmaline specimen is a rema...

A large fantastic wood 'scholar's rock' The formation of natural knots, gnarled and twisted projections Of the variety greyish brown-toned wood, imitating a vertical scholar’s rock. Much appreciated by Chinese scholars for contemplation, artistic and poetic inspiration. Also in the west these fantastic wood formations resembling organic microcosm habitat Never stopped to inspire some surrealist artists like Max Ernst or Frantisek Muzika. Measures: 27¾" in. (70.5cm.) high. Approx. 10" in. (25.5 cm.) wide, 7" in. (17.5 cm.) deep. On soft wood stand. For comparison see Christie’s sale NY, 19 Sep 2002, lot 104 “Fine Chinese Archaic bronzes...

A mesmerizing Gupta Empire (mid-3rd century BCE - 543 AD) mounted terracotta torso of a standing Vishnu. Vishnu is the preserver god, which means he p...

Genuine Spinosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth. Spinosaurus (meaning "spine lizard") is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in what now is North Africa, during the upper Albian to upper T...

An exceptional Palaeolagus specimen from the Brule Formation in South Dakota. This fossil preserves remarkable dental detail, showcasing the upper and lower teeth with impressive cla...

Spinosaurus (meaning "spined reptile") is one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs to ever exist. This behemoth lived in present-day Morocco during the upper Albian to upper Turonian...

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...

Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa. Cretaceous Age 65 million years Carcharodontosaurus is one of the longest and heavi...

CARVED POLYCHROME WOOD DEPICTING SAINT FLORIAN ORIGIN : SWABIA, SOUTHERN GERMANY PERIOD : LATE 15th CENTURY Height : 98 cm Length : 29 cm Depth : 24 cm Polychrome limewood Very fine condition Provenance - Swiss collection STAEHELIN-PARAVICINI - March 1939 - Auction Jacob Hecht -18 April 1929, Berlin - Sammlung Prof Q.A. LEIMHAAS Munich, Helbing - 26 May 1908 (Research by Thierry Fraslin) During the Middle-Age Saint Florian was particularly popular, subject to worship in Austria -Tyrol- Bavaria and Bohemia. Embodying courage and commitment Saint Florian was invoked to protect the soul of the living against sins and to keep the soul of the deads from the purgatory. From the mid-15th century he safeguards from water and fire. The legend has it that when he was young the saint had contained the fire of a burning...

Fossil agate coral with a coordinating polished citrine crystal point. Fossil agate coral is Florida's state stone and is known for its unique formation that can take place over 20 ...

This fossilized metacarpal (hand) bone dates back approximately 150 million years to the late Jurassic period and belonged to a Camarasaurus: an herbivorous species of sauropod dinos...

Prehistoric Indonesian stone sculpture. Shape and holes formed from years of exposure to underwater currents.

A Gogotte Formation Of natural form, dating from the Oligocene period (30 Million years ago). Beguiling natural mineral formation, they are the result of calcium carbonate binding w...

Jurassic - Cretaceous Period, 200 - 145 million years old Dimensions: 8 × 6.25 × 0.75 in. / 20 × 16 × 2 cm Dimensions on custom display stands: 10.5 × 5.5 × 3.5 in. / 27 × 14 × 9 c...

Beautifully aged with a rich patina and pitted wear, this seated ceramic male figure is attributed to the Colima region of Western Mexico. The stylized form of this male figure follows the conventions of Colima pottery...

Seated monk carved in sandstone, originating from a Buddhist pagoda or temple in Burma, dating back to the 15th century. Discovered as part of an archaeological find after an earthqu...

This Ancient Cypriot Ceramic Sculpture of a Horse on Wood Plinth Base originates from Cyprus during the 4th Century BCE. The sculpture has an alluring dynamic and many details remai...

A beautiful triangular geode section in lilac amethyst with a gold coloured calcite perched on a bed of red druzy quartz. This piece was legally and ethically sourced directly in...

These unique rhodochrosite stalactites from Argentina are a rare find. Formed from precipitation off of manganese-rich rocks inside the tunnels of Argentinian silver...

A Gogotte Formation Of natural form, dating from the Oligocene period (30 Million years ago). Beguiling natural mineral formation, they are the result of calcium carbonate binding w...

Huge, museum-quality, Himalayan quartz generator crystal, sitting on a large, white Feldspar crystal, both perfectly terminated with top luster. This pi...

72.81 Gram Pretty Demantoid Garnet Specimen with Mother Rock From Iran Weight: 72.81 Gram Dimension: 2.9 x 6.2 x 4.2 Cm Origin: Belqeys Mountain ( Koh-e-Belgheys), Iran Demantoid is the green gemstone variety of the mineral andradite, a member of the garnet group of Minerals. Andradite is a calcium- and iron-rich garnet. The chemical formula is Ca₃Fe₂(SiO₄)₃ with chromium substitution as the cause of the demantoid green color. Ferric iron is the cause of the yellow in the stone Demantoid was a popular gemstone during the Belle Époque period (1890-1915), especially in Art Nouveau jewelry. The Russian Czars...

The amethyst geodes from Uruguay are mined from the same rock formation as their relatives just to the north across the border into southern Brazil and are igneous (volcanic) in orig...

17.40 Gram Pretty Bi Color Tourmaline Crystal From Kunar, Afghanistan Weight: 17.40 Gram Dimension: 3.7 x 1.8 x 1.4 Cm Origin: Kunar, Afghanistan Color: Seafoam and Green Tourma...

Hindu sandstone carving depicting Nandi God in human form. 600-800 years old most likely older. An exceptional sculpture carved in sandstone from te...

A beautiful natural grey quartz geode specimen. Great as a standalone object on shelf, table, atop books, on a desk, as a paperweight, etc. Very good condi...

"Cauliflower" fossil agate coral adorned with natural-forming baroque pearls and shells. Fossil agate coral is Florida's state stone and is known for its unique formation that can take place over 20 million years. It's a natural gemstone that is created when prehistoric coral is gradually replaced with agate. This is a complete piece of fossil coral head...

A remarkably rare and unusual pair of sancai-glazed slippers dating from the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE). These were likely created as funerary mingqi—tomb objects made to accompany th...

A pleasing small display piece showcasing bluish druzy quartz covering a stalactite, which is cut and polished at the tip to reveal the floral interior structure. This piece was l...

1048 Gram Marvellous Aquamarine Specimen With Muscovite From Nagar, Pakistan Weight: 1048 Gram Dimension: 12.5 x 12 x 9 Cm Origin : Nagar Valley, Skardu District, Gilgit Baltista...

Very beautiful statuette of a Nuraghic warrior dating from 18 century before J-C. The warrior rests on a hollow base. He carries in his right hand a weapon, surely a knife, and in his left hand a shield decorated with a four-petal flower. He is wearing a headdress decorated with two horns. This statuette was realized in bronze by a technique of casting of "lost wax" (a process of precision), and carries a label in the hollow base: "bronzetto nuragico guerriero" (bronze nuragic "warrior"). The Nuraghic culture makes its appearance in Sardinia, in the age of bronze...

This well preserved tooth is 40 to 34 million years old from the Late Eocene Period. Basilosaurus was first thought to be a reptile but was later identified as a genus of ancient cet...

A wonderful display piece showing a prominent thick stalactite at the centre, covered with glass-like green-brown druzy quartz. The lower border polished to reveal a wonderful sea gr...

From Nandan County, Hechi, Guangxi, China Complex intersecting formation of lustrous gem translucent golden barite crystals with lustrous faces and sharp modified rhombic faces. ...

This well preserved tooth is 40 to 34 million years old from the Late Eocene Period. Basilosaurus was first thought to be a reptile but was later identified as a genus of ancient cet...

Small Indonesian Petrified Wood Slab – Dipterocarpus Species. This exquisite small petrified wood slab hails from Indonesia and dates to the late Tertiary period, approximately 20 m...