Hand-Carved Decorative Objects

This stunning 19th-century Black Forest jewelry box from Switzerland is a true masterpiece. Nearly 150 years old, the wood has developed a rich patina that enhances its beauty and ch...

This finely executed bust of a Naiad is attributed to the neoclassical sculptor John Gibson (1790 – 1866). A Naiad was a type of mythological water nymph and is depicted here with her head bowed and cocked slightly to the side, displaying her strong neo-Hellenistic profile. In her hair, the nymph wears a headdress that is comprised of long and slender reed leaves, which not only identifies her iconographically as a water spirit, but draws a close comparison with those worn by the female figures in John Gibson’s Hylas Surprised by the Naiades (1827 - 1837) (fig.1). The downwards and off-centre orientation of our Naiad bust mirrors that of the taller figure on the left of the group, who rests her cheek on the head young Hylas (fig.2) Her facial physiognomy follows the neo-Hellenistic archetype established by Gibson and can be closely compared with his Tinted Venus – one of the most important statues of the Victorian era (1851–56, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool) (fig.3). While Gibson’s Tinted Venus is known best for its controversial polychrome ‘tinting’, the essential structure of the face—broad brow, finely drawn nose, wide (and slightly drooping) almond-shaped eyes - provided a template that Gibson returned to repeatedly in his depiction of mythological maidens. Critics of the time noted the consistency of his female types, with some seeing their idealised severity as an antidote to the sentimentality of much mid-Victorian sculpture (fig.4 – 6). The facial physiognomy is also very similar to a drawing by Gibson at the Royal Academy that depicts Hero weeping over the dead body of Leander (fig.7). The socle style of the present work also finds comparisons with Gibsons busts of Cupid and Aurora. This was of course somewhat standardised, but it is interesting to note the extent of their similarity with our bust. John Gibson RA is considered by many to be the greatest British sculptor of the nineteenth century working in the Neoclassical style. It is hard to overestimate the impact Rome had on the life and art of the artist. He first arrived in the city around 1817, when he was just twenty-six, and remained a resident there until his death. Not only did Rome’s ancient sculptural treasures and architectural fragments offer Gibson a lifetime of inspiration, but the Grand Tourists who poured into Rome in the first half of the nineteenth century provided him with many commercial opportunities. These rich or aristocratic travellers sought out mythological sculptures for their grand, palatial residences. However, since the papal decrees of Doria Pamphilj and Pacca of 1803 banned the export of ancient Greek and Roman works of art from Rome, there was a large demand for modern idealised sculpture in the Neoclassical style (Frasca-Rath 2016, p. 10). During his early days in the city he had the great fortune to train under both Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen (Roscoe and Hardy 2009, p. 522). He referred continuously to Canova as his “master”, particularly in his memoirs, which he dictated to Margarete Sandbach at the beginning of the 1850s; these were subsequently published by Lady Eastlake in 1870. Moreover, he claimed to be Canova’s last pupil in a letter to Antonio Gacini, Secretary of the Royal Academy in Milan in 1861, written to thank the Academy for accepting him as an Honorary Member: “The first instruction which I received in my art was from an Italian. It was Canova whose pupil I became in the year 1817 and studied under him for five years when he died. I was his last pupil” (Royal Academy Archive GI/1376). By 1821, Gibson had established his own studio in the via Fontanella, off the via Babuino. From here he aimed to produce sculpture of “the sublime and the purest beauty”, believing that the sculptor’s role was to select and combine the most beautiful parts of nature to create a harmonious whole, which would delight and elevate the viewer. By the mid nineteenth century he was one of the few remaining exponents of the so-called ‘pure’ and ‘neo Hellenistic’ style of sculpture, resolutely upholding the Neoclassical ideals established by Wincklemann, in a period when naturalism and modern subjects preoccupied the majority of artists in Europe (Turner, ed., 1996, p. 598). Gibson was convinced of the importance of disseminating artistic ideas through the younger generations, an ideal no doubt impressed upon him by Canova, and established ‘the British Academy of Arts in Rome’. His students included William Theed (1804–1891), Benjamin Spence (1822–1866), Harriet Hosmer...

This detailed wooden jewelry or keepsake box is likely of European origin as it was found in Italy. The upholstered interior and key lock lean into the idea of a jewelry box origina...

This impressive round antique French clock face dates to the Napoleon III period, circa 1890, and is a rare surviving example of 19th-century French ...

Gorgeous & breathtaking! This 19th century black forest jewelry box carved out of fruitwood. Carved by a master carver with at...

This is a well relief carved Jewelry box. It was probably made on the west coast of Africa. It looks to depict the heads of 3 Jaguars in relief.

Hand-carved Swiss Black Forest mantle clock. Featuring a large red stag standing on branch and stump natural base with foliage accents, with fence behind. In working condition. Clock face with white roman numerals and brass hands. Circa 1900. 18" x 4" x 22"H Family Owned & Operated Cisco’s Gallery deals in the rare, exceptional, and one-of-a-kind pieces that define the history of America...

Elegant Mid-Century Modern vanity set comprising a silver-plated perfume bottle and a glass bowl with silver plated powder box. The handcrafted Lucite Knob decorate the two pieces. M...

Great decorative Moroccan Berber Tuareg metal brass powder flask. African decorative brass with front richly decorated with Moorish embossed brass ocverlay. Moroccan tribal powder fl...

Depictions of young angelic boys are also known as putti, or putto for a single one. Since the 17th century on they remained popular and are found in various forms. Perhaps the most known version is Cupid. Looking at their attributes time periods can be narrowed down. In this example we see a rose Guirlande and a medaillon which are typical for the late 18th-early 19th century. The Rosso Verona Marble...

Galle Carved Cameo Glass Vase Exquisite cameo glass vase by Émile Gallé (1846–1904), one of the most important figures of the French Art Nouveau movement. Made of multi-layered glass...

Large Japanese Hirado Porcelain Blue & White grouping of Shi Shi dogs playing, Meiji Period Modeled as a pair of shishi playfully wrestling, the grou...

The Khada Totem Sculpture #2 is hand-carved in Southern Africa from sustainable alien timber by a collective of Zimbabwean artisans, who set their own prices, ensuring each piece is ...

English Gothic Revival-style (1st Quarter 20th Century) oak letter box with tracery carved sides and top

This is an unknown Santos de Palos. It depicts a polychromed hand carved wood sculpture of a man wearing a long robe and black boots. He has long hair, moustache and a beard. He is a...

A sculpture of 2 Minogame turtles with their distinctive fan-like tails. The smaller turtle is standing in the she’ll of the larger one. This is an excellent Japanese hardwood carvin...

This carved Tekoteko sculpture is a striking example of traditional carving brought into a contemporary art context. The figure is rendered in warm-toned wood, its surface defined by...

With their right angle bases and descending bobeche display, this pair of Italian giltwood candlesticks make unique light sources. Hand-carved in the late 1700’s, the Baroque period ...

Hand carved in Brazil, this elegant rock crystal bowl features a deeply scalloped form with a beautifully polished surface and luminous natural translucency. The thick crystal body r...

Pair 19th Century Of French Gilt Bronze Female Figures Science & Art Decorative . Early to Mid-19th Century Sculptures of Women in Science / Math and the Art fields raised on sq...

The Predynastic era, spanning approximately 4500 to 3100 BCE, marks the earliest shaping of Egypt’s visual and material identity. It was a formative age when utility, spirituality, a...

Monumental Gothic-style (possible English Aesthetic Movement) (19th Century) painted and decorated carved altar style candlestick.

Chinese soapstone carving running horses, Mid-20th Century. The large magnificent soapstone carving is depicting running horses beautifully carved in the natural soapstone placed on a wooden root branch. Galloping horses in Chinese culture symbolize upwardly movement which could mean a promotion or growth in career Shoushan stone...

French hand made brass jewellery box made 100 years ago with extremely beautiful details and fine decoration especially on the top where a young woman with long hear is carved surrou...

A Pair of Italian Carved Putti Raised on square egg-and-dart carved plinths, each figure carved from walnut, standing in a contrapossto, clad in ...

This is a large hand blown emerald green opaque glass vase with applied open work copper overlay decoration, which is likely to have been manufactured i...

Crafted in Brazil, this elegant hand carved rock crystal bowl features a substantial round form with a deep basin and exceptional clarity. The heavy crystal dish is mounted with a de...

A exquisite pair of art deco style smokey cut rock crystal ball form ornaments. Each ornament consists of a spherical smokey rock crystal ball resting atop a faceted rock crystal bas...

A very beautiful quality 18th century French carved wood column with original polychrome paint. It has lovely carved mistletoe decorati...

A Magnificent Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Hand-Carved Siena Marble Model of a Sarcophagus on a Black Marble Base. This gorgeous grand tour piece is modeled after the Fon...

A sublime Greco-Buddhist stucco head of the Buddha, ancient region of Gandhara, circa 3rd-5th century. A fragment of a larger statue, the Buddha's face...

19th Century (Meiji Period) Japanese hand-carved wood seated monkey. The eyes are inlaid and made of glass. The fur and details are very realistic. The piece is signed on the bottom ...

A striking and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire style cornucopia vases. Each vase features a gracefully fluted cut crystal horn rising from a finely chased ormolu moun...

Rectangular pocket cigarette case with long rounded sides in 925/1000 sterling silver with red and black fire-enamelled stripes. With button and spring opening. Measurements cm. 10.3...

Indo-Portuguese sculpture "Lady Conception" 17th century, H 147cm. Our Lady Conception Indo-Portuguese teak wood carving from the 17th century. Upholstered and polychrome . T he ...

For your consideration is this signed American studio hand-carved bowl featuring original finish, beautifully figured grain, organic egg-shaped form, rich warm tone, and artist's sig...

Decorate a living room, entryway, or chapel corner with this expressive pair of antique Italian wall-hanging cherub sculptures, carved in Italy circa 1860 and finished in richly burn...

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...

An exceptional Federal cherry tall case clock with a brass eight day works signed Jedediah Weiss Bethlehem, with beautiful inlay including a contrasting fan carving above the waist d...

Medusa's gaze meets timeless elegance in this massive and beautiful statement piece of art. This Female Sculpture is an intricately Carved Stone masterpiece a large Bust of a Woman, Signed by Artist Charles Cutler. Charles Gordon Cutler...

American Country style (mid 20th Cent) carved life-size wood figure of a circus side show clown holding a clock-face hat with a gesso and painted surface (possibly made by Boston Carving...

A tall Stone sculpture hand-carved in Indonesia, mounted on a black metal cube stand. This massive volcanic basalt slate is narrow at the botto...

Ocher color rustic Swedish wooden dug out bowl dating to 19th century. Wood plug repair and remnants of early paint. Note: When shipped, antique wood may shrink and/or split along i...

Vintage Blue Ceramic Ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Handcrafted in Italy "Rimini Blu" enameled terra cotta turquoise blue ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Handcrafted in Italy w...

Stunning and completely original, antique oak grandfather or lantern clock, circa 1750. This very old grandfather clock is one of the tallest w...

Beautiful sculpture designed by Philippe Adamantidis and made in his own atelier in Belgium in 1970. This organic sculpture has an amazing appearance. Attractive from every angle. Th...

Grand vase français en céramique sculpté, figuratif, en très bon état et signé.

19th century hand-carved humidor in the form of a dog's head. The dog is very whimsical with a hat, which lifts to reveal a compartment for storage and finished with a cigar and a bo...

Sculpture of a Buddhist monk made of natural stone, masterfully hand-carved. The calm posture, finely folded robes, and engraved dedication give the figure a distinctive spiritual an...

Each detail tells a story—subtle curves and hand-painted designs resonate with a profound appreciation for nature and life's transient beauty. The warm hues and glossy finish reflect...

Ancient and very large couple of lion sculpture, carved by hand in Vicenza stone, was placed in an entrance to a 19th century villa in Italy. Symbol of strength, the lion is widely u...

An elegant, large-format sculpture carved from white marble depicting an allegorical female figure holding a cornucopia overflowing with fruit, a universal symbol of abundance and pr...

Vintage high tray for fruit, or comfortable little table near an armchair - from Dulang (Indonesia). Very interesting! O/2685.

This stone basin was carved by hand nearly two centuries ago, sculpted from solid limestone with irregular texture and an asymmetrical teardrop shape. A pattern of chiseled grooves a...

An inkwell desk tray designed by John Grinsell & Sons. This is a very elegant desk inkwell tray set created in London England by the silversmith company of John Grinsell & Sons, bac...

The Lagash Vessel draws its name from the ancient Sumerian city of Lagash, one of the earliest centers of urban civilization in southern Mesopotamia nearly five thousand years ago. L...

YELLOW SIENA MARBLE ROUND OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT AMMON 20th Century This roundel is part of a series of roundels inspired by wonderful ancient Greek coins. Freely reproduced from a...

Head of Apollo Lyceus Ancient Roman, Circa 1st Century B.C.-1st Century A.D. 15 cm 11 cm 12 cm 23 cm high (inc base) Provenance: Nicholas Embiricos (1920 - 2011), acquired prior...

This extremely large and substantial Folk Art carved bowl is presumed to have originated from Scandinavia, possibly Sweden, in approximately 1860 in the period country Folk Art style. This bowl is hand crafted from a hardwood and spans two feet across and six inches deep and has a single wooden handle inset on one side of the rim. This antique bowl shows all its original wear and age and was likely crafted originally as a large dough bowl.

English Nautical brass yacht binnacle mounted on a mahogany rope base with an oval glass viewing port, gimballed compass, central carrying ring, and the original brass vented side li...