18th Century and Earlier Sculptures

18th century Italian distressed gold leaf angel wing with golden calcite crystals on an antique Italian metal pan drip tray. These calcite crystals are from Elmwood Mine, Tennessee w...

A truly stunning pair of 17th century Wall Brackets from the Provence region of France. Expertly carved with Putti heads having wonderful expressions. Excellent patina.

Sea monster Carrara marble mouth fountain Italy, late 16th century It measures 13.8 x 31.5 x 18.9 in (35 x 80 x 48 cm) State of conservation: some small evident gaps and widespread signs of wear due to outdoor exposure. The gray marks crossing it do not come from restoration, but are rather the natural veins of the marble. This work has some morphological characteristics typically associated with the iconography of the sea monster: an elongated muzzle, sharp teeth, protruding eyes, elongated ears, and a coiled serpent's tail. An in-depth series of studies on artistic depictions of the sea monster attempted to verify how this symbol evolved in antiquity in the European and Mediterranean contexts and how it gradually changed its image and function over time. The iconography itself is mutable and imaginative and its history is rich with cultural and artistic exchange, as well as the overlapping of ideas. This occurred so much that it is difficult to accurately pinpoint the "types" that satisfactorily represent its various developments. However, we can try to summarize the main figures, starting from the biblical Leviathan and the marine creature that swallowed Jonah (in the Christian version, this figure was to become a whale or a "big fish", the “ketos mega”, translation of the Hebrew “dag gadol”). Other specimens ranged from the dragons mentioned in the Iliad (which were winged and had legs) to "ketos” (also from Greek mythology), the terrifying being from whose Latinized name (“cetus”) derives the word "cetacean". See J. Boardman, “Very Like a Whale” - Classical Sea Monsters, in Monsters and Demons in the Ancient and Medieval Worlds, in Papers presented in Honor of Edith Porada, Mainz am Rhein 1987, pp. 73-84). In Italy the monster underwent yet further variations: it can be found in Etruscan art on the front of some sarcophagi representing the companion of souls, while among the Romans we find the “Pistrice” (cited by Plinio in Naturalis Historia PLIN., Nat., II 9, 8 and by Virgilio in Eneide: VERG., Aen., III, 427), which appeared in the shape of a stylized hippocampus or a very large monstrous cetacean and evolved into a hideous being with a dragon's head and long webbed fins. During the Middle Ages, the sea monster was the object of new transformations: at this time, it is often winged, the head is stretched like a crocodile, the front legs are often very sharp fins - sometimes real paws - until the image merges with dragons, the typical figures of medieval visionary spirituality widely found throughout Europe (on this topic and much more, see: Baltrušaitis, J., Il Medioevo fantastico. Antichità ed esotismi nell’arte gotica, Gli Adelphi 1997). In Italy during the 15th and 16th centuries, the revival of classicism - representative of the humanistic and Renaissance periods - led to a different reading of these "creatures". Indeed, the sea monster was also to find widespread use as an isolated decorative motif, especially in numerous fountains and sculptures where dolphins or sea monsters were used as a characterizing element linked to water (on this theme see: Chet Van Duzer, Sea Monsters on Medieval and Renaissance Maps, London, The British library, 2013). From the morphological point of view, the "sea monsters" of this period are mostly depicted as hybrid figures, in which the body of a mythological or real being (a hippocampus, a sea snake, a dolphin), is joined to a head with a rather indistinct appearance. It was usually characterized by large upright ears, an elongated snout, sharp teeth and globular, protruding eyes; a complex and indefinite figure, both from the symbolic point of view and from that of its genesis. The work we are examining is placed as a cross between the medieval sea serpent and the Renaissance dolphin, with stylistic features which recall the snake as often used in heraldry (such as the "snake" depicted in the coat of arms of the Visconti - the lords and then dukes of Milan between 1277 and 1447 - and which, for some, may be derived from the representations of the “Pistrice” that swallowed Jonah). In the search for sources, Renaissance cartography and in particular woodcuts should not be neglected. See for example the monsters of Olaus Magnus, from the editions of the “Historia de gentibus septentrionalibus” (“History of the peoples of the north”) and the natural histories of Conrad Gesner, Ulisse...

A collection of museum minerals in a display case. Presented in a sleek glazed case, the set includes 48 European minerals, including a gold vial, a rock with traces of gold, lapis l...

Pair of Spanish spiral columns of the 17th century in carved and gilded wood, decorated with plant elements, vines, bunches of grapes and birds. Small flaws in polychrome Dimension. ...

This striking section cut from the centre of a geode, contains an unusual formation of calcite with a blanket of amethyst crystals. The borders are polished to reveal the beautiful c...

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

Feast your eyes on this remarkable specimen featuring vibrant yellow calcite crystals elegantly perched on a natural matrix, originating from the rich mineral deposits of the USA. Th...

Mounted naturally-formed Indian mineral: clear apophyllite An attractive specimen that reflects the light similarly to a multifaceted gem giving the specimen an unusual brightness. ...

18th century candlestick base from Tuscany mounted with a coordinating ammonite and dark, smoky quartz crystal point. This fragment is from a church in Florence. It was found and sav...

A striking large natural fluorite specimen sourced from an ex historic UK private collection. This fluorite specimen is of an impressive scale in a desirable tonal green, making it ...

The Infant St John the Baptist, A first half of 17th century Sevillian School Cercle of Juan de Mesa Velasco (Córdoba, 1583 - Séville, 1627) Polychrome and carved wood Height: 65 cm ...

Important German Sculpture "CHILD JESUS" 17th Century in silver metal. Sitting on a wooden base. Height (sculpture) 52 cm. Height: (total) 60 cm good original conditions

This stunning piece is a light violet/lilac amethyst with unique stalactite formations, presented as a mesmerising half geode on a stylish decorative metal stand. The edges of this b...

Very rare carved and painted wood talbot, a now extinct breed of dog often found in heraldic devices in both England and Ireland, this example in original painted surface and possess...

A large quartz specimen sourced from an ex historic UK private collection. Formed over millions of years, this unique and impressive specimen sh...

A scent bottle in pale blue jasperware, with original silver CAP and dipper. Decorated with Cupid playing the lyre, and Cupid singing. The God of L...

Carved wooden angel from Private Chapel in Provence. Wonderful detail in Angel's hair and draped dress. Figure is mounted on an iron stand.

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

A spectacular amethyst cluster with two sets of unusual finger-like calcite crystals on a bed of druzy quartz. The formation is a pleasing dark purple colour with large peaks and i...

18th century Italian "Florence Fragment" with fossil agate coral and natural lemon quartz crystals and mounted on a coral base.  This fragment is from a church in Florence. It was f...

Trilobites, an early arthropod relative of spiders, horseshoe crabs, and scorpions, preserved in this level of detail only occurred as a result of very sudden underwater landslides called turbidite sequences, which ravaged the early earth when the continents were still very much on the move. The contorted body positions of the trilobites demonstrate a final fight against being buried alive. This is an extremely ornamented member of the trilobites' extremely well-known and globally distributed Lichid family. These trilobites have adapted for extreme defensiveness. Their long genal appendages afford them controlled escape from the water column...

Attributed to Johann Friedrich Eberlein, circa 1741. One of Hercules, Diana, Minerva, two Juno and one bacchanalian figure. Literature: Rainer Rückert's Meissener Porzellan (1964), pl. 238, no. 979 and W. B. Honey, Dresden China...

This 17th-century Flemish Baroque sculpture from Mechelen represents the Infant Jesus, arms outstretched in divine grace, blessing the viewer with serene charm. A remarkable piece o...

18th century carved, painted and gilded Statue of a woman standing on a cloud. Sacral Art. Ca 1750 Sweden (possibly Northern Europe)

Head of a crowned Virgin Île-de-France, first half of 14th century. H26 x 14 x 14 cm Provenance : - Private Collection, Paris France (1960) - Private Collection Tuscany, Italy (19...

Sculptural 18th century Italian gilded cross mounted on hematite with natural-forming pyrite. Gold-plated crystals adorn each point of the cross. Gold-pla...

A pair of 16th Century Italian wood carved figures of Saint Ambrose Archbishop of Milan and Saint Augustine Bishop of Hippo, two of the four original Doc...

Antique Ammonite, Solid Stone Featuring Fascinating Ridged Surface on Handcrafted Iron Stand, Weigh: 132 lbs.

An attractive allegorical figure of Matrimony, reprsented by a woman in her best clothing, holding a cage. The Bow Porcelain factory was the first English porcelain producer; these ...

A very fine late Yuan to early Ming Chinese terracotta gilt and polychrome painted Buddha figure, he is dressed in thick robes, his hair arranged in ty...

This antique baby Jesus figure was crafted in Italy, circa 1780. The hand-painted putti carving feature its original polychrome finish for a luxurio...

Hand-carved in Italy, circa 1750, this large carved giltwood eagle head has been mounted to a painted black stand with a thin metal arm more recently. The bird has a large foliate ma...

We mounted this Gothic architectural fragment on a custom iron stand. In this new context it becomes a sculpture with a almost abstract f...

Old lotus flowers finial sculptures mounted on a black base. When I found them, there was a thick layer of wax mixed with dirt, hiding the wood carvin...

An important, extremely rare, and rather large 18th century Meissen Porcelain Group of a Thalia with a Harlequin Child, By Johann Joachim (J.J.) Kändler, Circa: 1744. This is an incredible and extremely rare 18th century Meissen Porcelain piece modeled by the greatest Meissen modeler ever in the Company, Johann Joachim (J.J.) Kändler. Thalia can be seen seated on a gorgeous hand-carved and hand-painted flowered and vined porcelain pedestal. Her right arm is raised holding a Phantom of the Opera Black and White Mask, while in her other arm is a young Harlequin dancing and singing holding a hat. Thalia is wearing a gilt-edged dark blue bodice with white floral decorations over a black corset draped in a red-over-yellow robe...

MANTEÑA CHAIR OF POWER CACHIQUE OF PREHISPANIC ECUADOR The chair has been carved from a block of detrital sedimentary rock, in which fossil remains can be seen. It is a calcarenite o...

Exceptional pair of aigles of the 16th century of Italy Superbe pair of wooden sculpted aigles from the Italian Renaissance. Very Fine and delicate sculpture The pair of eagles se...

Weight: 428.97 Gram Dimension: 12 x 7.9 x 5.6 Cm Origin: Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Gilgit Baltistan Province, Pakistan Aquamarine is a pale-blue to light-green variety of ber...

This wood scultpure showing fine traces of polychromy depicts John the Baptist, one the Old Testament’s last prophets and the first martyr of the New Testament. He is easily recognizable with the lamb he is carrying in his left hand. The way the artist has carved the face exudes a spiritual strenght inherited from previous centuries. Description Saint John the Baptist is depicted bare feet, seated in a hieratic manner. His elongated face is marked by a beard and a moustache. The straight nose and wide eyes indicate a Spanish origin. This asumption is reaffirmed by the Saint’s resigned expression. His parted hair frames his face while uncovering his ears. He wears a round collar red-orange tunic, draped onto the body and belted at the waist. A flap of his green coat covers his knees and falls down in stylized pleats. Following iconographic rules Saint John the Baptist is pointing with his right hand the lamb seated...

One of a kind patinated bronze bust of a child on a stepped ebonized wood pedestal,François Duquesnoy school, decorated with tortoiseshell look alike inlays. The bust shows a clea...

These stone sculpture fragments can be dated between the 12th and 13th century. They were finely sculpted by the Khmer people. The Khmer culture flourished between the 8th and 15th c...

Stone Buddha head with beautiful, natural, age-related patina from the Chinese Song Dynasty, The head, measuring 18 x 12 x 12 cm, is mounted on a wooden ...

Pair of praying angels is an original decorative object realized in the second half of the 15th century by North Italian or French manufacturing. Thes...

Early 18th century Chinese Qing period carved Lohan figure in draped robes. Very finely carved heavy dark rosewood. The aged surface patina with tight gra...

An exceptional rock crystal quartz cluster than has been expertly mounted onto brushed steel base. Crystals of this calibre discovered in Arkansas are considered to be the highest of...

A striking Japanese late Muromachi Period (1333-1573) lacquered and giltwood figure of Yakushi Nyorai, the Medicine Buddha, seated upon an elaborate car...

Kamakura Period Japanese Shinzu sculpture. Shinzo is a representational figure of a god or spirit in the Shinto religion. This sculpture was carved fro...

18th century of marble Statue of Bacchus. The main body is leaning against a tree stump. Holding a basket of flowers. In his raised hand. He is ho...

15th century Italian carved wood, polychromed and gold gilded sculptures of four Pillars of the Christian Faith (Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Luke, Saint Matthew).

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...

18th century Italian hand-carved and painted angel wing with baroque pearls and mounted on honey calcite crystal. The hand-carved angel wing was once part of a heavenly, angelic de...

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 h...

Pair of carved sandstone temple guards. Originates from paragoda in Burma circa 15th century. Hand carved with fine details. Each guard is in two parts...

Rock crystal sculpture with stand, measures: 9”/L x 8.5/D x 5.5/H without stand.   

17th century iron dog collar, museum mounted on rectangular giltwood base. With two rows of neoclassic ironwork. The 6" x 2.25" W collar is removable...

FRENCH SCULPTOR 17TH CENTURY, Sculpture "Saint Mary Magdalene" Sculpture from the Louis XIV era in carved wood with a contemporary base 45 x 35 ...

From a beautiful home in Santa Barbara. Not sure if paint is original, but it is definitely old. Finely carved with a lot of character.