15th Century and Earlier Sculptures

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...

9th century silver processional priest's hats, Chimu culture, Peru. These silver hats were originally covered with fabric, as can be seen in the remaining surface pattern. The hol...

Sculptural formation of sharp, distinct copper crystals from Daye Co., Hubei Province, China. The copper looks beautiful under magnification. A lovely display piece for natural eleme...

Mica in an albite matrix. Albite is a type of feldspar mineral. Mica is formed from silicate which creates the delicate, glimmery sheets that combine and layer together. This combination of minerals creates a rare, museum-quality formation. This is also a very big specimen and weighs approximately 54 lbs or 24.5 kg. The albite and mica create a rare, sculptural, natural formation.

From Tongbei-Yunling District, Fujian Province, China Cluster of transparent lustrous deep red spessartine garnet cluster on microline matrix with bladed muscovite crystals. 6 lbs,...

From Edong Mining District, Daye, Hubei, China Cluster of sharp scalenohedral calcite crystals partially covered with lustrous iridescent metallic chalcopyrite crystals on the sur...

From Hunza Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Transparent to translucent deep pink hexagonal fluorapatite crystal on an intergrown cluster of muscovite. The fluorapatite crystas ...

Marble Roman relief representing a Christogram Roman relief - 4th century 25 x 22 x 8 cm Provenance : Collection of the Château de B. À Nevers by Georges C.S., scholar born in 1833 and deceased in 1909 The entire castle and its collections were acquired in 1938 by the current owners of the estate A christogram is a monogram or combination of letters that forms an abreviation for the name of Jesus Christ. This rare fragment combines chi (X) and rho (P), the first two letters of Christ's name in Greek and it is one of the oldest and most popular early christian symbol. The monogram of Christ, or chrismon, is also a powerful symbol of imperial victory: it appeared to Emperor Constantine the Great before his battle against Maxentius in ad 312, promising victory in the name of Christ. In Plato's Timaeus, it is explained that the two bands which form the "world soul" (anima mundi...

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...

This desk size Gogotte is an authentic proof of nature's artistic skills in sculpture. We still don't understand fully how these natural sculptures, made of more than 99% of pure si...

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...

From Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. Large pale snow white pseudomorph crystal of gem transparent calcite crystals coated with sparkling barite micro crystals. In pristine conditi...

Salt-like, pinkish brown natural sculpture with copper on the surface. Polish brass stand. Measures: 11.5” /L x 7.5” /W x 5” /H.

206.15 Gram Amazing Rare Afghanite Specimen From Badakhshan, Afghanistan Weight: 206.15 Gram Dimension: 8.3 x 4.8 x 4.3 Cm Origin: Badakhshan, Afghanis...

Glamorous Natural Tri Color Tourmaline crystal from Paprok Mine Afghanistan Weight: 26.65 grams Dimension: 9.0x 1.3x 1.0 Cm Origin: Paprok mi...

This intriguing redware figure was crafted in 400 A.D. from the ancient Teotihuacan region of Mexico. Earthenware figurines were made in great abundance throughout Teotihuacan's history. After 250 A.D. objects made from clay increased dramatically, serving a wide variety of purposes and functions from religious rituals to burial offerings. Figurines like this commemorated important people and events within the city of Teotihuacan and other parts of Mesoamerica, portraying individuals of different rank and status such as soldiers, merchants, bureaucrats, and occasionally divinities. This figure is adorned with an elaborate headdress, a thick beaded necklace...

Polychrome wooden sculpture depicting the lying Madonna, also called the Virgin of the Nativity. Mary is reclining, her right hand supporting her head, while her left hand is outstre...

Tang Dynasty terracotta Pottery Tomb figure of the Lokapala Warrier Deity. Figure molded wearing heavy armor, standing in a dynamic pose with left arm raised in a threatening gesture...

Natural rock crystal sculpture with base, 6 in x 7.5 x 6 in without base.

A large fossil Fern plate, Alethopteris,a prehistoric plant genus of fossil seed ferns, Pennsylvania,St Clair, Carboon, 300 million years ago, very decorative object with fern parts ...

20.68 Gram Pretty Demantoid Garnet Specimen Weight: 20.68 Gram Dimension: 2.2 x 2.9 x 2.7 Cm Origin: Belqeys Mountains ( Koh-e-Belgheys), Iran Color: Green 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...

Chalcopyrite over Calcite from Edong Mining District, Daye, Hubei, China. Cluster of sharp scalenohedral calcite crystals partially covered with lustrous iridescent metallic chalcop...

A visibly old pair of mold-formed terracota women kneeling, dating to the Majapahit Empire circa the 15th century. These were excavated amongst the shrines of Mount Penganggungan, Ea...

From Mibladen, Atlas Mountains, Khénifra Province, Morocco Here is an exceptional world class specimen of a cluster of hexagonal crystals of dark red Vanadinites with glassy lust...

A Polychrome and Parcel-Gilt Marble Group of the Virgin and Child Attributed to Giovanni Di Balduccio (1317 - 1349) Marble Italy Circa 1330 - 1340 SIZE: 65cm high, 28cm wide - 25½ ins high, 11 ins wide PROVENANCE: Possibly Trivolzio Collection, Milan With Piero Tozzi Inc., New York Acquired by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation for The Los Angeles County Museum (A.5832.47-42), 1947 An auction of property de-accessioned by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to benefit new acquisitions...

From Daye Mine, Hubei Province, China. Large metallic mirror luster intergrown cubes of golden pyrite on quartz and pyrite enriched matrix lined with ...

Polished agate cathedral with a tangerine crystal point. Agate is characterized by its fineness of grain and brightness of color. These slabs are clas...

Cercle of Jacopo della Pila (Lombard, in Naples 1471-1502) Marble relief depicting a winged Cherub Naples, second half of15th century 40 x 57 x 12 cm Exquisitely carved, this relief portrays a winged cherub with cascading hair and delicate features. The cherub's plump, smooth countenance, rounded cheeks, outlined lips, and finely drawn nose emanate a sense of tenderness. The quadrangular module, is adorned with a carved frame. The relief ascends gradually, transitioning from the low relief of the wings to the high relief of the head. The rectangular frame and the subtly curved form of the artwork suggest that the relief likely adorned the upper part of an arch or a vaulted chapel. The type is that of the perspective room with a coffered ceiling decorated with figures of winged cherubs, which is found in various Neapolitan chapels of the 15th century. Coffered ceilings attest to the recovery of antiquity and the search for luxury in Renaissance architecture, first in Florence, then in Rome and Naples. The majority of the numerous family chapels and tombs built during the late fifteenth century in south of Italy employ the new formal vocabulary of the Florentine Renaissance in a self-confident manner that permitted a broad spectrum of variations. The escalating admiration for the classical world, coupled with the development of perspective, significantly contributed to the Renaissance endorsement of coffered ceilings. This artistic and constructive device drew inspiration from the intricate marble patterns observed in historical landmarks such as the Arch of Titus, the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, the Pantheon, and the Basilica of Maxentius. A distilled product of both mathematical and artistic cultures, deeply scrutinizing the ancient world, the coffered ceiling plays a vital role in the perspective construction of space with its regular and directional geometry. The motif of the coffered ceiling decorated with cherubs in relief was introduced in Naples by Francesco Laurana in the plastic decoration of the Arch of Castelnuovo. Laurana's impact on the art scene in the south of Italy was profound. The introduction of the winged cherub into the region's artistic vocabulary bridged the gap between the classical and the contemporary, creating a synthesis that resonated with both aesthetic and spiritual sensibilities. His influence extended beyond the immediate visual appeal, shaping the cultural identity of the Renaissance in southern Italy. Although the plastic decoration of the Arch of Castelnuovo cannot certainly be ascribed to a mature Renaissance style, it was precisely on this occasion that the sculptors who worked there could get to know and export throughout the Italian peninsula that type of "Florentine classicism" which, even in the 15th century Naples, was conditioned by the Burgundian culture imported into the Kingdom by Alfonso of Aragon himself, with artists called from Spain and Northern Europe. The coffered ceiling, with its geometric patterns and Laurana's winged cherubs nestled within, became a symbol of refinement and cultural sophistication. The relief sculptures, carefully integrated into the overall design, transformed the ceiling into a celestial realm, inviting viewers to contemplate the divine while immersed in the grandeur of the Renaissance space. Similar winged cherubs appears also in the Naples cathedral. Within the renowned Succorpo Chapel, a mesmerizing marble coffered ceiling adorned with cherubs epitomizes the splendor of the Neapolitan Renaissance. The interplay of light and shadow on the textured surface of the marble coffered ceiling introduces an ethereal dimension, providing an immersive visual experience for observers. The geometric precision and the repeated patterns, reminiscent of classical motifs, establish a sense of harmony and balance that has become the hallmark of the Neapolitan interpretation of Florentine Renaissance aesthetics. Although probably intended to be admired from a distance, this cherub is intricately detailed and exquisitely rendered: the face and hair are elegantly outlined and the feathers are textured through juxtaposed lines. The marble, both figurative and decorative, adheres to the principles of balance and restrained ornamentation typical of the « Florentine Classicism ». Harmonious shapes and gracefully orchestrated curves , rooted in the classical repertoire, converge to evoke a sense of ethereal beauty. The surface displays the masterful use of a chisel to intricately carve the feathers and facial features, creating an almost abstract quality. This work is a testament to a sculptor of great skill and rich figurative knowledge, seamlessly blending classical firmness in contours with a refined treatment of the marble's surface. The combination of tradition and innovation point to a stylistic idiom from Lombardy, in particular we can find some comparaisons with the works of Jacopo della Pila, sculptor of Lombard origin working in Naples in the second half of the 15th century. He is documented there between 1471 and 1502, and is a protagonist of the Aragon Renaissance in the second half of the Quattrocento, together with the other great Northern sculptor active in the kingdom, Domenico Gagini. the first commission he received dates back to August 9, 1471, when Jacopo publicly committed to sculpting the funerary monument of Archbishop Nicola Piscicelli to be placed in the Cathedral of Salerno. The last known work is an altar ordered on July 29, 1502, by the noble Jacopo Rocco for the church of San Lorenzo Maggiore in Naples. Between these two chronological extremes (1471-1502), we must place the fervent activity of the artist, who had trained in Rome, perhaps under the guidance of Paolo Romano but also engaged in dialogue with other major artists of the city, especially Isaia da Pisa. He enriched his experience in Naples, initially drawing inspiration from the works of Domenico Gagini and later from the Tuscan masterpieces of Antonio Rossellino and Benedetto da Maiano destined for the church of Santa Maria di Monteoliveto. Jacopo della Pila's artistic personality is thus based on a complex interplay of influences, contributing to the definition of a highly personal style. Close comparaison can be made between our cherub and the winged angels reliefs...

From Tsumeb Mine, Otavi-Bergland District, Oshikoto, Namibia Scintillating formation of spherical aggregates of quartz with translucent green conichalcite microcrystals. 1.2 grams,...

Ptychopariida is a large, heterogeneous order of trilobite containing some of the most primitive species known. The earliest species occurred in the second half of the Lower Cambrian...

TOGATUS STATUETTE Depicting a male figure dressed in a toga and himation, held by his right hand. Presence of a prop on the right thigh, implying that this fragment was part of a sta...

FRAGMENT OF SARCOPHAGUS Painted with the djed pillar topped with the atef crown. This type of symbol was frequently painted on the bottoms of sarcophagus vats. H. 79,5 cm Egypt, end ...

A Large Han Dynasty Terracotta sculpture of a Mythical Beast. TL Tested I cant emphasize how rare this item is and predict it will not last long. The condition is extraordinary with...

From Qilla (Killa) Saifullah Chrome Mines, northwestern Baluchistan, Pakistan Large elongated cluster of lustrous transparent-to-translucent lemon-yellow brucite crystals in hemis...

Pair of Fossilized Ammonite Slices on Custom Metal Bases. This stunning pair of fossilized ammonite slices showcases the intricate and mesmerizing patterns of these ancient marine mo...

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

From Nasik District, Maharashtra, India Large translucent double penetrating twinned crystals of calcite on translucent to transparent apophyllite crystal cluster matrix with pink s...

Lustrous transparent deep golden calcite crystal on matrix. Large double terminated scalenohedral twinned on the C-axis with well defined re-entrant faces. Small sphalerite crystal e...

Museum quality, 8" tall stone containing many small ammonite fossils. The ammonites are of the species Promicroceras marstonense and are Lower Jurassic (~200 million years old) in age. The piece has been painstakingly prepared with mechanical tools to expose all of the individual ammonite fossils on one side. Ammonites were predatory mollusks that resembled a squid with a shell. These cephalopods had eyes, tentacles, and spiral shells...

Terracotta, 14th-15th century (thermoluminescence test: Interexpert 388317 from March 18, 1988). Koma-Bulsa motifs (Ghana), including a concave hairstyle with braided frontal ornamen...

From Edong Mining District, Daye, Hubei, China Cluster of sharp scalenohedral calcite crystals partially covered with lustrous iridescent metallic chalcopyrite crystals on the surfa...

Galena from Krushev Dol Mine, Madan District, Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria Bright metallic galena crystals with mirror-like surface luster with minor quartz. The galena crystals ha...

Lustrous Topaz Crystal From Skardu, Pakistan Weight: 148.06 Gram Dim: 4.1 x 3.7 x 3.3 Color : Golden Origin : Skardu, Pakistan Topaz is a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluor...

From Nasik District, Maharashtra, India. Here's a very aesthetic specimen of 2 chalcedony stalactites in an intersecting formation coated in a apophyllite micro crystals with a se...

From Moscona Mine, Villabona District, Asturias, Spain. Very aesthetic cluster of yellow crystals of cubic fluorite with a colorless calcite crystal perched on the top edge and dr...

Beautiful specimen from Piedra Parada, Las Vigas de Ramirez, Veracruz, Mexico. Lustrous deep-purple transparent amethyst quartz crystals surrounded by smaller colorless quartz cry...

Eight geological specimen bowls in varying sizes.

In the heart of an ancient empire, stands a sculpture of breathtaking power and majesty, probable Wei dynasty. A mighty beast, sculpted from the very essence of strength, is poised i...

Crinoids, also known as sea lilies, are members of the Echinodermata phylum along with starfish and sea urchins. This well preserved sea fossil is from Morocco. Crinoids have the app...

Lustrous vibrant orange-yellow showy, sharp "Porcupine" calcite cluster. The calcites are perfectly terminated and damage free. Measures: Weight: 4.7 lbs, Dimensions: 7 x 4 x 8 in...

SMALL SCULPTURE FIGURING AN ANGEL ORIGIN : GERMANY PERIOD : 15TH CENTURY Height: 48,5 cm Width : 20 cm Depth : 12 cm

A fossilized horse leg. Equus sp., Pleistocene, Florida, USA This set of fossil horse bones dates from an extinct equine. The inter-locking bones are eleg...

91.22 Beautiful Indicolite Tourmaline Crystal From Kunar, Afghanistan Weight: 91.22 Gram Dimension: 5 x 3.2 x 3.1 Cm Origin: Kunar, Afghanistan Tourmaline is a crystalline silic...

Italian Romanesque 12th century marble recumbent lion 12th century Italian roman marble lion  with a stylized mane and tail wrapped around its body a...

67.25 Gram Pretty Demantoid Garnet Specimen From Pakistan Weight: 67.25 Gram Dimension: 5.6 x 4.1 x 3.1 Cm Origin: Balochistan, Pakistan 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...

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...

From Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India Large specimen of lustrous green apophyllite crystals in isolated clusters on druzy chalcedony matrix. The apophyllite are fully terminated crysta...

Weight: 70.85 Carats Dimension: 3.5 x 2.4 x 0.7 Cm Origin: Africa Colour: Red Pink and Green Shape: Carving Quality: AAA Tourmaline helps to create a shield around a person or room t...

Ammonites are an extinct group of marine cephalopods, resembling the modern nautilus. These fascinating creatures had a soft body with tentacles that emerged from a hollow, chambered...

18.82 Gram Elegant Aquamarine Crystal Bunch From Skardu Valley , Pakistan Weight: 18.82 Gram Dimension: 3.9 x 3.7 x 2 Cm Origin: Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Gilgit Baltistan P...