Renaissance Decorative Objects

English Renaissance (Dated 1652) oak slant front bible box

A dwarf cassone with hinged top with chip carved edge over a paneled case with central keyhole, arcaded carved base.

Renaissance Fragment: The Grotesque Candelabrum
 Italy, 16th century
 Marble 29 x 21 x 12,5 cm This fragment of a white marble pilaster constitutes a remarkable testament to the orn...

This beautiful 19th century Florentine rectangular lidded box is entirely decorated in the round with all typical Renaissance Italian patterns. The whi...

Italian Renaissance style brass urn with center scroll & medallion and flair top (19/20th Cent.) (similar to #008526)

A unique pair of marble obelisks, 19th century Magnificent sculptures, base and obelisk in red French marble, lions in black Belgian marble and Nembro Giallo marble. Spectacular fo...

A rather unique painted chest from Europe, this table coffer was commissioned in 1915. The right side (when viewing from the front) is dated, with the numbers flanking a springing ra...

A fascinating bit of history, this pair of carved wooden terms dates to the High Renaissance during the 1500s. A term is a beam support in the form of a human head where the bust con...

Beautifully colored in brilliant blue and yellow that depict a crest.

Frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamels on guillochè. Shaping taken from the tiles of the North Door of the Baptistery of the Florence Cathedral ...

Shaped box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with painted fire enamels like lapis lazuli stone and beautiful miniature hand painted by the painter Beatrice Mellana reproducing ...

A beautifully decorated 18th century Italian Majolica faience ‘wet’ or syrup albarello/drug jar. Blue and white having a front reserve, blue and white scrolls to body. Beautifully de...

A lacey black coral sea fan embellished with natural citrine mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet....

An elegant pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. onyx and ormolu urns/ewers. The pair are raised on square onyx plinths below circular ormolu bases with reeded borders and palm...

Antique French Renaissance "Rebecca at the Wall" Spelter Metal Large Statue Sculpture weighing approx. 110 lbs. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 38.5" H x 25" W x 11.5" D.

Probably a fragment of a French church paneling, this hand carved wooden candle sconce from France features iron candelabra that holds three candles. The wooden is carved with the im...

A stunning and most handsome pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated Bronze ewers/urns. Each ewer is raised by a square base below a fluted socle decorated with a folia...

A rare pair of tin-glazed (lead glaze with a bit of tin oxide added) earthenware pharmacy jars from Italy hand-painted. Beautiful color and elegant shape. Circa 1720.

Big Majolica vase Ginori Italy, 1850-1890 Very good codiction Difetto di cottura sotto la base (vedere fotografia)

Italian Venetian-style (20th Century) multi colored round crystal paperweight with floral design.

C16th Italian Marble Urn A rare 16th Century Renaissance Carrara marble urn, superbly executed with a vitruvian scroll border separated by carved bunches of grapes and fruits, above ...

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...

Pair 19th Century Country French Hunt Style Hand-Carved Oak Plaques is a striking pair executed on a generous scale and richly detailed in the beloved hunt tradition of the late 19th...

A remarkable large-scale plaster relief sculpture cast after the marble reliefs Luca della Robbia carved for the Cantoria Frieze of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence in 1431–1438 title...

Stunning pair of large polychrome marble obelisks with various inlays, 215 cm high. First of all, their dimensions are noteworthy: they are 215 cm tall! Origin: Venice, private coll...

Rare architectural Corbel with Foliate Mask known as "Green Man" France, 14th century Limestone 16 x 35 x 12 cm Architectural fragment in grey limestone, featuring a relief anthropo...

Tuscan refectory style single hand carved rustic candlelabra with forged nail spike. Italian fruitwood.  Dimension: 46" H, 17" W

Black coral sea fan embellished with green tourmaline and a showy quartz druzy shell specimen mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to a...

This 19th-century plaster foot sculpture is an imposing and impressive work of art. With dimensions of 28 inches in width, 15 inches in depth, and 22 inches in height, its colossal s...

A lacey black coral sea fan embellished mounted on a 19th-Century French Napoleon III bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. Duri...

Likely Portugese heavily potted with copper and cream tones. Globular form with small loop ring handles and Alhambresque palette decoration. Conforming raised foot.

A very large 19th century twin handled maiolica vase in the form of a wine krater. The exquisite hand painted decoration includes two central cartouches, one depicting Bacchus and Ar...

Lovely limed oak tazza English 1920s. The piece has been recently limed to enhance the beautiful grain in the oak. Free UK shipping  

Christ
 Umbria, Orvieto?
 Second half of the 15th century
 77 x 16.5 cm

Exceptional altarpiece representing the annunciation circa 1600, fruitwood rare altarpiece from the North of Portugal, unique due to its large size representing the scene of the annunciation, where the Archangel Gabriel (represented on the bottom left), sent by god (represented on the top left) announces to Marie (bottom right) that she will give birth to Jesus. Very good state of conservation, carved on three panels Dimension: Height 1m51 Width 1m03 Very nice colour and exceptional dimensions Restorations of use We placed the altarpiece on a red velvet base and a Spanish occasional...

A Rare European Hardwood (Believed to be Elm) wall-mount Bust of the justly famous Playwright, Writer and Actor William Shakespeare (April 1564-April 1616). Unmistakeable with his po...

This fine and imposing sculpture is an excellent example of 16th century Italian craftsmanship. The figure is stood on a raised, shaped rectangular base with a carved "dolphin" at th...

Pair of 16th Century Italian carved polychromed angelic sculptures.

These two busts, monumental in both their size and artistry, come from the renowned Italian majolica workshop of the famed Angelo Minghetti. Depicted are the Renaissance political an...

Carved overall with arabesques and scrolls, the lid centering a crowned armorial. César Bagard was born in Nancy in 1620. Most of the work known to have been carved by him was comp...

Red coral branch mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. During the Renaissance, Cabinets of Art an...

Italian Renaissance painted pine life size figure of religious scholar holding book (17/18th Cent) Replacement finger

A very fine copy of the Renaissance sculpture entitled 'A Little Boy'. After Italian Renaissance sculptor Desiderio da Settignano, or Deside...

PAIR OF CORBELS 19th century Portuguese brown wood Profuse decoration with plant motifs. Dim.: 38 x 31 cm good state

Petite lacey black coral sea fan embellished with tourmaline mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment sitting on an optical calcite base. This is a lovely objet d'art t...

Tall Baluster Ceramic Vase by Faïencerie de Gien, France, 1970s – Hand-Painted Majolica A tall and impressive baluster-form ceramic vase by the celebrated Faïencerie de Gien, France...

Refined and unique hand-forged wrought iron candle holder. In the past, it was used as a "walking candle holder" for moving between rooms in the house, thanks to its practical base t...

Rare pair of late 19th-century French vases in the style of Émaux de Longwy, retailed by the prestigious Maison A. Giroux, Paris. Each vase features a deep cobalt-blue glaze with rai...

A large scale reclaimed bronzed and gilded plaster bust of Roman emperor Tiberius. In Grand Tour style and an impressive large scale, this bust would make a striking decorative piec...

Throughout the sixteenth century, sculptors working in the German city of Nuremberg carved sculptural reliefs in various media. This polychrome example, which depicts Hercules’ battl...

Unique and precious sculpture in carved white marble, likely depicting Aeolus, the god of the wind. The sculpture originated as a fountain mask, as evidenced by the opening in the mo...

Pair of polychrome wood sculptures. "San Juan and San Pablo". Castilian school, 16th century. Both male figures have been represented standing, with their main iconographic attrib...

A lovely and high quality pair of French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Renaissance st. Marble, patinated Bronze and Ormolu ewers. Each most elegant ewers/urn is raised by a Rouge ...

A dramatic patinated bronze statue depicting the mortal fight between Charles Martel a Medieval Frankish King over the Muslim KIng of the Saracens at ...

Rare Bronzes Depicting two Figures in Turkish Attire Possibly Suleiman the Magnificent at two different ages bronzes, alabaster bases Venice, early 17th century 19,5 x 6 x 5 cm These two rare bronze statuettes represent two figures dressed in elaborate "Turkish" attire. They are mounted on alabaster bases with bronze reliefs—one featuring the winged lion of Venice, and the other possibly symbolizing Turkey with a wolf depiction. One figure wears a grand külah, a spherical turban with a cone top, signifying royal authority, while the other has a wrapped turban, denoting rank and religious identity. Their garments are richly detailed with intricate engravings, suggesting luxurious fabrics of the Ottoman court. The statuettes may represent Suleiman the Magnificent at two different stages of life, as both young and old. The sultan depicted alongside the winged lion corresponds to a description from a Venetian delegate in 1534, when Suleiman was 43. At that time, he had conquered Iraq from the Safavids and achieved a decisive victory over the Papal fleet at the Battle of Preveza. He was described as having large eyes, an aquiline nose, and long red mustaches—traits visible in Cristofano dell'Altissimo’s portrait of Suleiman in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Unlike Mehmed II, who commissioned portraits by European artists for diplomatic purposes, Suleiman did not directly order such representations. Instead, his likeness spread through works by artists like Albrecht Dürer, based on sketches made by diplomats. Following his capture of Belgrade in 1521, his victory over Hungary in 1526, and his siege of Vienna...

Black coral sea fan embellished with tourmaline and a showy quartz druzy shell specimen mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to ...

Black coral sea fan mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. During the Renaissance, Cabinets of A...

PAIR of Italian Renaissance style (19th Cent) polychromed life size kneeling figures (similar matching pair with wings #034018A)

One-of-a-kind natural mineral specimen sculpture, entitled "Venice Rising," created from an 18th-century Italian patinated parcel-giltwood candlestick and embellished with quartz, mu...

Small, rectangular, enamel keepsake box from Limoges. The lid is decorated with a central medallion featuring the profile of an upper-class woman, who was certainly the owner of this...