18th Century and Earlier Sculptures

A large fossil of a prehistoric Cladocyclus fish sourced from an ex private British collection. Discovered in Brazil, this impressive piece of natural history has been preserved by ...

This intriguing head fragment was once attached to a pre-Columbian bust or full effigy figurine. Earthenware figurines like this were made in great abundance throughout Mesoamerican history, serving a wide variety of purposes and functions from religious rituals to burial offerings. Figurines like this commemorated important people and events across Mesoamerica, portraying individuals of different rank and status such as soldiers, merchants, bureaucrats, and occasionally divinities. This figure is adorned with an elaborate headdress, or coiffure, and ear spools...

Beautiful handcarved giltwoodornament depicting two birds. Italy circa 1780-1820 . Weathered and small losses Measurements individual and include the wooden base. H:28,5cm W:56cm D...

Completely hand-crafted in 18th century Spain, this sculpture of the Virgin stands 1.5 meters / 5 feet tall and was most certainly created for devotional purposes, to be displayed in a church or chapel. Besides its impressive size this sculpture is an excellent, museum-quality example of the Spanish “Estofado” polychrome technique, developed during the Gothic period to imitate rich brocade fabrics. The finely carved “fabric” areas of the sculpture would be first covered in gesso, and then a layer of gold leaf would be applied. The gold leaf would then be painted over with various colors of tempera paints. Once dry, the painted surface would be incised or scratched away in patterns, revealing the gold beneath. The sculpture was professionally restored in 2022 by a firm that is often hired by the Spanish government to work on historic building interiors and museum pieces. The virgin was carefully cleaned, repaired and its condition stabilized. A complete and fully-illustrated restoration report will be included with purchase. Often confused with the virgin birth of Jesus, the belief that the Blessed Virgin Mary herself was conceived “immaculately” without original sin has been variously defended and debated within the Catholic Church since the pre-Middle Ages. For centuries, artists struggled to create an acceptable visual representation of this highly abstract concept, in part taking inspiration from the Book of Revelation and other scriptural sources. We see the Virgin standing on a half moon (biblically inspired, though also an ancient symbol of chastity) with her long natural hair loose down her back, another indication of purity. Both her white tunic and flowing blue mantle...

The latest edition to arrive at THE FOSSIL STORE™ is our famous and exquisite series of Mantelliceras ammonites presented on our designed swivel mount. The newly prepared Mantellicer...

Beautiful handcarved giltwood bird ornament. Italy circa 1780-1820 . Weathered and small losses and old repairs Measurements include the wooden base. H:23cm W:41cm D:6,5cm

This large, translucent piece of amber is from the Dominican Republic and is an estimated 16 to 25 million years old. Amber is fossilized tree resin and is considered a mineraloid. T...

POLYCHROME CARVED WOOD VIRGIN AND CHILD FROM THE 15TH CENTURY   ORIGIN: SOUTH GERMANY, SWABIA, NUREMBERG REGION PERIOD: 15th CENTURY   Height: 94,6cm Width : 28 cm Depth : 18 cm   Lime wood Original Polychromy Good state of conservation     From 1430 onwards, sculpture underwent a profound stylistic renewal which continued until 1530, the so-called late Gothic period. In the Germanic countries, original sculptures flourished in an expressive and sensitive vein.
This renewal was inspired by the art of Nicholas of Leiden, who was active in Strasbourg in the 1460's. His style broke with the refined and delicate art of the international Gothic style in force throughout Europe around 1400. The figures became more authentic and realistic. The bodies became denser. Clothes are animated by deep, broken folds, the fabrics are heavy and have a great decorative value. In addition, the polychromy is intended to be illusionistic. The painting makes it possible to restore the texture of the materials, the richness of the textiles and the natural skin tone of the characters.   The dissemination of images through engraving and the great mobility of the artists led to the success of this style, which conquered the Upper Rhine, Swabian, Tyrolean and Franconian regions, contributing to the formation of a common stylistic identity in these regions. The economic boom in the flourishing German cities was conducive to the development of original production. Attracted by this prosperity, numerous workshops were set up in order to meet the orders of religious communities, the Church and the laity, including a clientele of middle-class rockers.      This precious Virgin and Child is depicted standing on a crescent moon, her head encircled by a crown of tall flowers. Her long wavy hair spreads over her shoulders, framing her beautiful oval face. Under fine eyebrows drawn with a brushstroke, her almond-shaped, slightly drooping eyes look at the Child with infinite softness. She is dressed in a long red dress with a rounded neckline, belted under the chest. The heavy fabric of her dress spreads out in broken folds at her feet. On her shoulders she wears a golden cloak. The drapery has deep folds. She holds out her right hand while she holds the Christ Child with her left.   Christ, with his well-defined hair, is naked. His cheeks are highlighted with red, he holds an apple in his left hand and with the other hand makes a sign of blessing towards the faithful.   Virgins with Child on a crescent moon were very popular in the second half of the 15th century, especially as the central subject of altarpieces in southern Germany and Austria. The crescent moon on which Mary is standing is reminiscent of the Woman of the Apocalypse. Often equated with the Virgin Mary.    This episode is taken from the Book of Revelation (12:1-6)   1 Then a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. ; 2 She was pregnant, and she cried out because she was in labor, in pain from giving birth. ; 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: it was a great fiery red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads. ; 4 His tail swept down a third of heaven's stars and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth so that when she gave birth, he might devour her child. ; 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child who is to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was snatched up to God and his throne. ; 6 Then the woman fled into the desert, where God has prepared a place for her. There she will be taken care of for one thousand two hundred sixty days.   Some theologians see in this woman a reference to the Virgin Mary and in the child, Jesus.    
This remarkable work is a very fine example of sculpture from Swabian workshops in the last decades of the 15th century. It presents all the characteristic stylistic elements: a highly girdled silhouette, an abundant drapery with angular folds, but also a great physical presence accentuated by the polychromy that restores the anatomical details. This group is made of a wooden log. The deep folds of the drapery highlight the movement of the Virgin holding the child.       Bibliography :   Sophie Guillot de Suduiraut, Dévotion et Séduction, Sculptures souabes des musées de France, vers 1460-1530, Paris musée du Louvre-Éditions somogy, 2015   “Revelation 12 -   Common English Bible...

Calcites are plentiful and can be found in numerous places on Earth, but their diversity of aesthetics and quality are just as varied. In fact, fine calcites are quite distinctive, a...

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...

Important 15th century polychrome wood virgin and child Origin: Southern Germany Period: Late 15th Century, Ca. 1480-1490 Height : 125 cm Polychrome limewood Good condition Provenance : Private collection, Alsace, France. As soon as 1430, sculpture starts a major and deep stylistic evolution than will unfold over a century, until around 1530. We call it the International Gothic. This production is particularly interested in a quest for realism. This important Virgin and Child wears a long red dress with a round gilded neckline. A delicate golden belt...

An exquisite Thai cast bronze Buddha head, Sukhothai kingdom, circa 15th century, Thailand. The Buddha's pleasing face, with its narrow, oval ...

This breathtaking specimen comes from a distinctive group of fluorites that have affectionately been nicknamed, “tanzanite fluorite” for their gemlike aesthetics and color-shifting a...

A beautiful and serene Chinese Ming dynasty carved wood figure of the Buddha Amitayus, the Buddha of long life, and a form of Amitabha Buddha. He is seated in dhyanassana, dressed in...

Fossil agate coral adorned with iridescent fossil ammonites. The grey piece of fossil agate coral is cut and polished and adorned with the iridescent...

Wooden cross Guanajuato, Mexico Wood, paint 22 x 13 inches, (56 cm x 33 cm) 18th century A wonderful old wooden cross with a painted crucified Christ figure, an angel, possibly Mary Magdelene...

Extraordinary wine-cooler in the form of a beautifully sculpted, gilt and polychromed Swan of impressive stature, makes certainly the conversation-piece of the party. The white paint...

18th Century Italian Baroque Santos Figure  Italy, 18th century or older An exquisite 18th-century Italian Baroque Santos figure is a fine example of religious artistry, dating back...

This genuine Burmese amber specimen dates back approximately 99 million years. Pieces like these are sometimes called a menagerie and this one contains s...

Madagascar Jurassic - Cretaceous Period, 200 - 145 million years old Dimensions: 7.5 × 5.5 × 1.25 in./ 19 × 14 × 3 cm Weight: 1 lb 9 oz/ 710 gm In this example, the complex patte...

Corbel with an Angel Holding a Shield
Franco-Flemish, Burgundian Netherlands 15th century
Limestone On a modern metal stand H 21 x L 16,5 x P 18,5 cm This finely carved stone corbel,...

Pre-Columbian pottery figure of a seated woman giving birth, with her hands behind the back. It was most probably used by a shaman to look for the benevol...

Roman marble Fragment of a Right Foot with Sandal Circa 1st - 2nd Century A.D. An evocative Roman marble fragment, preserving the front portion of an over-lifesized sandalled foot. The toes, nails, and bridge of the foot have been sensitively carved. The outer sole of the sandal remains, with delicate, pointed straps joining between the first two toes in a diamond shape. This fragment once belonged to Danish sculptor Jens Adolf Jerichau...

This striking tourmaline crystal has a mesmerizing blue color, a robust size, and sharp form. Upon first glance, the piece appears to have a dark, almost black cap, but when lit, its...

A charming Baroque translucent soft-paste porcelain figurine of a dancing couple of the Volkstedt, Muller & Co, Dresden manufacturing of the late 18th century. Marked on the base.

Madagascar Jurassic - Cretaceous Period, 200 - 145 million years old Dimensions: 9.25 × 8 × 2 in. / 23.5 × 20.5 × 5 cm Weight: 5.55 lbs / 2.424 kg In this example, the complex pa...

Aragonite is a polymorph of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It is elementally identical to calcite but is considerably rarer due to the very specific geological conditions required for it...

18th century Italian crucifix mounted on green malachite, calcite with fluorite, and raspberry garnet. The piece is adorned with Carnelian pebbles and garnet. The minerals are from a...

This genuine Megalodon Shark Tooth, sourced by divers in waters off the coast of the Carolinas, is 100% genuine and measures approximately 5" long. This specimen is accompanied with ...

A Very Rare and Important Marble Relief of the ‘Resurrection of Christ’ Attributed to the Master of the Mascoli Altar Marble Venice, Italy Second half of the 15th Century SIZE: ...

This impressive 18th-century French cast iron horse head ornament is a striking piece of architectural decor originally designed as an exterior embellishment for a grand estate or st...

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...

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping 17th Century Flemisch Madonna & Child Bone Carving

A Roman marble trapezophorus in the Form of a Barbarian Dacian young figure. Circa 1st-2nd century A.D. Measure: height 24 1/4 inches (62 cm). Property from Mr. Radu Moldovan, Skokie, Illinois Provenance: B.C. Holland Gallery...

This alien-looking trilobite, known as Ceratarges ziregensis, has a strikingly otherworldly appearance. It's difficult to believe that this creature once roamed the ancient seas. Fou...

An extremely rare pair of original 11th century French Romanesque limestone hand carved sculptures of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Each figure is represented on a marble block, withou...

English mahogany stick Barometer with a broken arch pediment, brass urn finial, Satin wood string inlay, hinged glass door revealing a numeral steel engraved dial with original mounted thermometer and barometric pressure gauge. Signed F. Tarone. Late 18th Century Barometer...

A delicate limestone sculpture of the Virgin Mary, belonging to the 17th-century Italian school. The figure depicts the Virgin standing in a contemplative pose, with a serene and dev...

An outstanding and exquisite 17th century French capital to a pilaster. Expertly carved from wood with a wonderful cherub stunningly finished in water g...

Oak sculpture of Saint Anne, 16th century. Large oak sculpture of Saint Anne. Work from the Upper Rhine, Basel region. First third of the 16th century. An arm is missing from the i...

These rare objets d’art feature intricately hand-cut and painted tole foliage, gracefully shaped into classical topiary forms. Adorning each piece are delicate porcelain flowers—each...

Exquisite product is a polychromed, hand painted terracotta figure that beautifully depicts Baby Jesus. The attention to detail is evident in the figure's glass eyes, which add a lif...

This large fossil plate is incredibly unique, featuring a long Diplomystus dentatus along with two Cockerellites (Priscacara) liops, fossilized in its natural matrix. The entire piec...

Pair of 1870s English carved wood lions.

Fragmentary relief from the early 17th century made of marble. The relief is modeled after the Farnese Bull, a Roman colossal sculpture that was excavated in the 16th century and is ...

A Pair of Chinese Enameled Sancai Glazed Pottery Attendant Figures Representing Dignitaries. Ming Dynasty Period. Circa 1600AD Dimensions; 23 x 5.5 x 5.25 inches (58.4 x 13.7 x 13.3 ...

Hermes head sculpture. Greek Bust representing Hermes. Hermes is an Olympian deity, the God of Speed, in ancient Greek religion and mythology. Sculpted whi...

Large white crystal quartz geode with a large naturally forming baroque pearl. 28lbs. Geodes are formed as gas bubbles within volcanic lava. Over time, the lava flow weathers away to leave the quartz geode buried deep in the Moroccan desert. This was dug by hand and includes druzy white crystal formations. This is a large geode specimen...

Important Olmec figure of Olmec ethnic dignitary from the preclassic period (2500-200 BC) Important Olmec figure of dignitary of the Olmec ethnic group of...

Presenting a substantial Crystal Quartz Cluster fluorite specimen is a testament to the enchanting beauty of natural rock formations. Spanning an impressive 46cm in width, this clust...

Bronze statuette of St. Jerome, or St Hieronymous, in the manner of the Venetian sculptor Alessandro Vittorio (1525-1608) by the lost wax technique of bronze casting, which leaves a ...

Madagascar Jurassic - Cretaceous Period, 200 - 145 million years old 8.75 x 7 x 2 in. / 22 x 18 x 5 cm Weight: 4 lbs 14 oz/ 2.065 kg Ammonites were cephalopods that resembled a s...

Grotesque theatrical mask of Maccus Late Hellenistic or Early Imperial period, circa 1st century B.C. – 1st century A.D., likely from Southern Italy. Terracotta with remains of pin...

The embodiment of transcendental wisdom, Prajnaparamita is often referred to as the mother of all Buddhas. In this extremely rare tantric form, she is portrayed seated in the half lotus position. Her eleven faces are arranged in two tiers (seven on the first, with an additional four above), all surmounted by a rising conical chignon. Each face has an associated pair of arms which radiate outwards, each hand holding a discreet attribute. Careful attention has been paid to her clothing and jewelry. She wears a heavily pleated sampot with a cross hatch pattern, elegantly turned down at the waist and tied with an ornate belt...

Carved from a single log, this 18th-century Swedish wooden horse is a rare surviving example of early Scandinavian craftsmanship. Featuring hand-pegged joinery and a primitive, scu...

A Very Large Virgin and Child in walnut wood, carved in the round, trampling on Eve biting into the apple. The theme of the Virgin and Child is the most represented in all Christian...

This is an old large Spaniard hand painted and carved wood nude baby Jesus. He has hand painted large expressive eyes and eye brows. His abundant hair is bro...

18th Century Italian cross mounted on a polished red hematoid quartz heart and adorned with natural-forming baroque pearls and a cross-shaped baroque pearl. The piece is inspired by ...

O/6416 - Large fossil stone shell - Ammonites were predatory Prehistorie cephalopod mollusks which existed between 400 and 66 million years ago before dying out during the exinction ...

ANTHROPOMORPHIC SCULPTURE CARVED IN STONE OF THE RECUAY CULTURE PERU 400BC-400AC Recuay is an archaeological culture of Ancient Peru that developed in the Sierra of the current Peruvian department of Áncash between 200 AD. C. until 600 d. C. It corresponds to the stage called Regional Developments, it has also been called the Huaylas or Santa culture. Like the other Early Intermediate cultures, little is known about this culture. The most accepted position is that it was an extension of the Chavin culture, after the influence of the "White on Red" style in the region. Regarding the political aspect of the recuay, there is a hypothesis that questions their autonomy and maintains that Recuay would be part of one of the many political units that made up the Moche state. The recuay style, characterized by its ceramics and stone sculpture, was initially described by Eduard Seler in 1893, based on ceramic specimens brought to the Ethnographic Museum in Berlin by Mariano M. Macedo. Seler named this style of pottery Recuay, based on the report that these pieces had been found in the town of Recuay. Later studies showed that this characteristic pottery was not originally from Recuay but from Copa, near Carhuaz, for which reason the name change to that of this town was proposed. Eventually the name of Huaylas was used for this culture. In 1919 Julio C. Tello explored the area and recovered lithic sculptures and Recuay-type ceramics. In the 1960s Rafael Larco Hoyle proposed changing the names of Recuay and Copa to Santa, arguing that the Recuay style had originated in the coastal regions of the Santa Valley. However, the name Recuay has persisted. Its chronology is also highly debatable. The time of its origin between 0 and 200 AD is discussed. C. and its end or collapse is commonly set to 600 d. C. probably caused by the invasion of the Huari conquerors. It encompassed almost the entire Callejón de Huaylas, a narrow valley fed by the Santa River and enclosed between two mountain ranges, the Cordillera Blanca to the west and the Cordillera Negra to the east. Its influence extended to the east to the Marañón river basin and to the west to the upper parts of the Santa, Casma and Huarmey valleys. To the north it reached the town of Pashash, in the province of Pallasca. The Copa area, Marca district, Recuay province, Ancash department seems to have been the center or main nucleus of cohesion of this culture. The name of the culture would then be justified, derived from the province of the same name. Other important settlements were those of Huilcahuaín (near the current city of Ancash), Cátac, Araucay, Tambo, Jancu, Upayacu and Pashash (near the current city of Cabana). Its main form of expression of art was through stone work (carving and masonry), inherited from its predecessor, the Chavín culture. In addition, they made sculptures in lumps that represent warriors with shields or trophy heads, with which they decorated their complex architectural constructions. They also made white clay pottery...