18th Century and Earlier Sculptures

19th century antique bird paperweight/hunting trophy in chased and patinated bronze on a marble base, after Comolera. Mounted on red marble.

Large statue of saint hand carved in wood during the late 17th century, or early 18th century. Some restoration. Sculpture portrays a saint and originall...

This rare and charming pair of 18th-century French creamware lions was made circa 1790. Each lion reclines atop a tall rectangular base decorated with rich cobalt-blue swags, bright yellow tassels, and vivid green trim. The forms are bold and expressive. The lions' open mouths are painted in soft pink, and their manes are rendered in vibrant yellow and lined with dark brown, lending them an animated, almost theatrical presence. The lions rest on what appear to be stylized, draped cushions, adding a sense of comfort and reality. Their wide-eyed expressions and exaggerated features give the pair a whimsical character that blends elegance with humor—a hallmark of late 18th-century French design. Unmarked but unmistakably French in style, these figures make a striking decorative statement. Whether placed on a mantel or console, they command attention and offer a playful counterpoint to more serious classical forms. Dimensions: 6.5 inches tall x 6.75 inches long x 4.5 inches wide Condition: Excellent Price: $2,300 Decoration: Painted in yellow, cobalt, green, pink, and brown with molded drapery and tassel detail Material: Creamware pottery Style: French Neoclassical with Folk Art elements Origin: France Date: Circa 1790 Key Features - Rare pair of large 18th-century creamware lion figures - Expressive hand-painted decoration with bold color contrasts - Tall bases decorated with molded and painted swags and tassels - French origin, circa 1790 - Whimsical and animated expressions add charm and visual interest Background of creamware Creamware is the name given to a type of earthenware pottery initially made from white clays from Dorset and Devonshire combined with an amount of calcined flint. Creamware was first produced in England sometime before 1740. Foremost among the pioneers of creamware in the Staffordshire Potteries was Thomas Whieldon. The young Josiah Wedgwood partnered with Thomas Whieldon from 1754 to 1759. When Wedgwood left to set up his own business, he immediately directed his efforts to developing creamware. Around the same time, in the mid-18th century, French potters developed their creamware known in France as "Faience Fine...

DESCRIPTION: Etruscan sculpture head made with terracotta, the art represents a young man from the 4th century. It's a very decorative piece and the stat...

18th century Italian eucharist emblem fragment mounted on mica with garnets with a baroque pearl and topaz. The ecclesiastical fragment was original used to depict a symbol of the eu...

Grand scale 15th century solid hand-carved stone male statue. Source of origin Bhutan.

This impressive 362 gram slice displays the beauty of the Muonionalusta meteorite. It has been sliced and polished to enhance the natural etching formed when the Muonionalusta entere...

Wonderfully ornate gilt gesso over carved wood processional cross, probably northern Italy late 18th century. The large floral wreath with carved gilt ribbons, a small cross to the c...

Beautiful section of an amethyst geode, unusually thin in cross section and resembling a shell with gorgeous deep purple amethyst lining. Origin : Artigas, Uruguay

An impressive skull of an Edmontosaurus, a large herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, 68-66 million years ago. The three rows of sixty or more teeth on either side of the jaw, known as the ‘dental battery’, mark the Edmontosaurus as part of the Hadrosauridae, or duckbill family of dinosaurs. It belongs to the flat-skulled, or solid-crested, Hadrosaurinae, which replaced the older hollow-crested hadrosaurs. Edmontosaurus was one of the last non-avian dinosaurs to ever exist, living shortly before the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. The Edmontosaurus was named in 1917 by Lawrence Lambe, after a partial specimen from Edmonton in Alberta, Canada. The existence of large Edmontosaur bone beds...

An impressive 108mm (longest curvature) Carcharodontosaurus saharicus dinosaur tooth, known as the North African Tyrannosaurus rex for its formidable size. A noteworthy discovery fro...

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...

This sizeable torso is from Ayutthaya, and is one of three pieces that made up a figural sculpture of Buddha. Comprised of elegant curves and soft lines, the details of diaphanous ro...

Purchased from a private Parisian collection this wonderful example of a giant clam shell (tridacna gigas) is a real feast for the eyes. Created by mother nature and sought after the...

18th Century Neapolitan Crib Figure Collection A rare collection of five museum quality late 18th / early 19th Century hand carved Neapolitan crib figures...

In 2016, large masses of the Sericho pallasite meteorite were acquired from villagers in Isiolo County, Kenya, marking its formal discovery. The olivine crystals range in colour from...

A genuinely extraordinary fossil shell mortality bedrock plate, expertly prepared. This remarkable specimen showcases a breathtaking array of uniquely detailed specimens. Conserved,...

A beautifully sculpted Thai/ Siam Southeast Asian bronze Buddha head on a custom wood stand. The Buddha's eyes are closed in serene meditation. The piece has a wonderful feel and heft to it. Very well well crafted with a gorgeous natural organic patina acquired over age. This bust/fragment likely belonged to a larger Buddha statue...

Beautiful Black Tourmaline Crystal From Afghanistan Weight: 255.07 Gram Dimension : 5 x 4.7 x 5.2 Cm Origin : kunar, Afghanistan Tourmaline is a crystalline silicate mineral grou...

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 extraordinary piece, a very rare find this capipote/santos figure, lovely carving, wonderful soft expression on the polychromed face, bought from an Italian collector, who had it...

Painted pottery figure of an opulent Chinese court woman with up-swept hair and standing in a simply draped robe from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Her beauty is illuminated by the ...

In 2016, large masses of the Sericho pallasite meteorite were acquired from villagers in Isiolo County, Kenya, marking its formal discovery. The olivine crystals range in colour from...

Beautiful carved giltwood baroque ornament. Italy, 17/18th century. Weathered and small losses. Measurement includes the wooden base.

A fine early Thai Lopburi figure of a crowned and adorned Buddha, cast bronze, mid-13th century. The unusual figure of the Buddha sits in virasana upon a stylized lotus pedestal. He is dressed in the traditional monastic robes, but also adorned with a crown and jewelry, including earrings, a necklace, and jeweled belt. His hands in an atypical combination of mudras. His right hand in bhumisparsha mudra, reaching down to touch the earth, while his left hand held somewhat outwards, seemingly in varada mudra, the gesture of granting favours or wishes. The palm of his outstretched hand marked with the dharmachakra, the Wheel of the Law, representing Buddhist teaching. The bronze with a beautiful silvery patina. Lopburi was an independent Mon kingdom with strong ties to the Khmer Angkor...

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

Although the 18th century, the period of the Enlightenment in France, spawned thinkers who criticised the privileges of the clergy and the truthfulness of certain dogmas, the Roman Catholic faith was very much present in everyday life. Since king Louis XIV had issued the Edict of Fontainebleau in 1685, Protestantism was banned. This Madonna with child illustrates the daily practice of faith. Like many 18th-century Madonna statues...

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...

Pair of 18th century Italian gold-leaf fragment horse head sculptures. The pair is made of 18th century Italian water-gilt fragments mounted on scroll wood bases. The fragments come...

Stunning life-size carved wood sculpture of a man's head dating from circa 1700 in the south of Europe.  

184.68 Gram Pretty Fadan Quartz Specimen From Balochistan, Pakistan Weight: 184.68 Gram Dimension: 6.2 x 6.6 x 5.3 Cm Origin: Balochistan, Pakistan What is special about quartz?...

This is an attractive example from the Dongpo Ore Field of China. The best Dongpo fluorites are known for translucent crystals with great form and an attractive light green tone. This is a prime example featuring three sharp, cuboctahedral crystals in a saturated, seafoam green tone. The fluorites have multi-stepped faces along their sides and central faces that are smooth, acting like windows into the translucent crystals. The crystals’ lustrous sheen further highlights their intricate structure. They have formed atop a contrasting matrix (host-rock) of bladed, beige dolomite crystals. The dolomite is sharp and has formed in dense intergrown rosettes. Peeking out from under the dolomite and fluorites is a shimmering matrix of druzy, white quartz that frames the piece overall. The juxtaposition of textures, colors, and species makes the already colorful fluorite crystals...

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: ...

Mankind has loved hematite for its sleek beauty and red undertones since its first discovery. It has been utilized as a reddening pigment by the ancient Egyptians, mined by the Etrus...

Sculptural 18th century Italian cross with fossil agate coral and mounted on fossil coral. The fossil agate coral and fossil coral are put together with the 18th century cross to lo...

Paolo di Giovanni Sogliani (Florence 1455-1522) Processional Cross Florence, around 1515 Enameled, chiseled, engraved, stippled, and gilded copper; wooden core ; Inscription: "OPA...

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...

Elegant Pair The Italian 19th Century Grand Tour Classical Greek God And Goddess Apollo And Diana Decorative Alabaster Busts For A Wonderful Library Desk Depicting Apollo Belvedere ...

This is really very early and has incredible presence in person. Looks like many of the artifacts I've seen in the museums. It originated from the countryside of France and is a grea...

Historic genuine large ammonite, thousands of years old.

Beautiful giltwood angelhead fragment Italy, circa 1750 Weathered. Measurement here below inclusive the wooden base. H:22,5cm W:11cm D:10cm

A beautiful, fossilized and calcified ammonite shell with an iridescent, opalized shimmer, displaying hints of vibrant red and yellow tones. This specimen displays multiple complete ammonites in a clustered form, each having a dendritic crystal pattern. This piece has been hand polished. *You will receive the exact object as in these photos. The fossilized shells...

A beautiful Ammonite Fossil, this extinct invertebrates marine animal lived 160 million years ago, beautiful patina and shine of the stone, beautiful array of colors, very decorative...

Rare Pair French Retour D'egypt Terracotta Lions Sculptures Statues Los Angeles , Exceptional fine pair of Large French Retour D'egypt period terra...

1 Kg plus Gigantic Smoky Quartz From Kunar, Afghanistan Weight: 1 kg plus Dimension: 16.4 x 9.3 x 6.3 Cm Origin: Kunar, Afghanistan Smoky quartz is known for dispersing fear or n...

Petrified Conifer Slab Araucaria (Monkey Puzzle Tree) Triassic Period Chinle Formation Arizona, USA A stunning over 200 million year old petrified conifer slab, featuring a m...

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...

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 ...

A petite Chinese Ming dynasty green glazed terracotta court official figurine from the 15th or 16th century, with original polychromy. Attracting our eye with its vibrant polychromy,...

Étienne-Maurice Falconet (1716-1791), "The Bather" or "The Nymph Bathing" (1757) Artistic Explanation: The Nymph Bathing is a masterpiece of 18th-century French sculpture, created...

18th century exceptional Italian carved wood and polychromed figure depicting baby Jesus holding the world in his hand, he has halo made from sterling silver and the globe is also sterling silver.This piece would have originally been dressed in an elaborate gown and would have been changed into different attire depending on the holy season. Extremely detailed and the carving is exceptional. this piece came from a very reputable merchant in Verona, I did inherit it from my mother in Law...

Provenance : In the same private collection for several generations, Burgundy. The canonical Gospels describe briefly the episode of the Nativity. It comprises three parts : • The Preludes : the Journey to Bethlehem, the Census • The Nativity • The Announce to the Shepherds and the Adoration of the Magi Only the Gospel according to Matthew (2, 1-12) speaks about the Adoration of the Magi. Staying vague about their number it does say they brought the newborn gold, incense and myrrh. The apocryphals, the fathers of the Church and many other authors have filled in the gaps of the evangelic tale. The sobriety and symbolic of the story have been a huge inspiration to artists. Although one of the oldest depictions of the Adoration of the Magi dates from the 2nd century the theme became very popular in Christian art during the late 14th century. One of the reasons explaining this success is that it celebrates both the Virgin and Christ at the same time. This important walnut panel is carved in a strong relief and depicts the different steps of the story of Jesus’ birth. On the left, the donkey and ox that have accompanied Mary and Joseph from Bethlehem are depicted behind a trough. On the thatch roof appears the star that would guide the magi to the place of birth of Jesus. Mary is wearing a veil and is seating on a bed. She holds her baby at arm’s length to present him to the magi. Saint Joseph is by her side. The old man is holding a cane in his left hand while from the right hand he seems to uncover himself to greet the visitors. A woman assists to the scene. In front of the holy family the three magi stand behind one another to pay their homage to the newborn. The first magi has a pointed beard. He is already kneeling out of deference and has placed his crown to his feet. He gives the baby a hanap filled with gold coins. This is Melchior as the legend describes him with white hair and a long beard. Caspar, the second magi bears a cup of incense. He is looking at the third magi and with his right hand he points to the star that has guided them there. He has a short beard and wears crakow shoes, breeches and a wide sleeved doublet. Finally Balthazar, the elegant last magi proceeds proudly towards the holy family with his one hand on the saber’s hilt and the other holding a cup. He brings the divine child the myrrh. He probably just dismounted as the horse can be seen behind him. The scene is set in a very detailed and narrative decor. In the right part of the panel the shepherd receive the announce of Jesus’ birth. An angel comes down from heaven with a scroll bearing the good news in his hands. The herding dog sleeps peacefully while sheeps graze. At the top of the cliff we notice the gilded sheeps enclosure. The panel’s moulded frame is carved with a foliated decor. In it’s centre appears a coat-of-arms. It is the alliance of the three magi’s arms. Indeed as it was common for legendary figures the three of them received imaginaries coat-of-arms. Thus, on a field of azure stands a star for Melchior, a crescent for Caspar and a pennon for Balthazar. This high-relief panel is undeniably the work of a very skilled and imaginative artist. This key moment in the New Testament is transposed to a contemporary environment thanks to the figures’ clothing and the rural daily life scene. This way the universal dimension of the episode is highlighted allowing a better understanding for the contemporaries. The sculptor has represented the episodes of the Adoration of the Magi and the Announce to the Shepherd with great talent and numerous details giving life to a picturesque and narrative scene. The important traces of polychromy give those already very animated scenes a stronger pictorial power and a rich dynamism. Because of the picturesque and familiar realism so dear to the artists of the late Medieval era, of the didactic function of this type of panel as well as the quality of the sculpture this piece is an astounding example of Burgundian art of the 15th century. Literature Louis Réau, Iconographie de l’Art chrétien...

A gorgeous set of vintage Regency brass deer. A beautiful set of one buck and one doe. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate

Antique statue life sized Roman Greek natural stone old sculpture. The antique statue displayed in this Ad is one of 12 reclaimed life sized limestone s...

18th century Jesus Child Terracotta Sculpture an Italian Holy and devotional art polychromed figure  depicting Baby Jesus standing on an a carved and go...

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

Bronze cast with delicate serene features, very refined detailing throughout. Featuring bow-shaped mouth and downcast eyes, flanked by pendulous pierced ...

A delightful carved sandstone sculpture of an unidentified male deity, Khmer, Angkor Period, style of the Baphuon, 11th century. The smil...