Painted Decorative Objects

A pair of cast metal Sculptures, male and female. The finish is newly painted in black. The pair are heavy and substantial, but we do not believe them to be Bronze. They do make ...

A striking tall mid-century earthenware vase or planter in the Yixing-style, characterized by its hand-applied floral decoration and subdued glaze palette of brown and green tones. T...

Gio Ponti for Ginori athletic dish. Vintage Richard Ginori shaped nut dish/ small saucer from the athletic series designed by Gio Ponti featuring ...

Transform your space with this breathtaking Italian figural standing candelabra floor lamp, a masterpiece of early 20th-century European craftsmanship. Exuding elegance and sophistic...

1940s Art Déco Torino painted and glazed ceramic figurine 'Ambretta Dancer' by Sandro Vaccetti for the firm Essevi, Italy By: Sandro Vaccetti Material: ceramic, paint, enamel, clay ...

Abercrombie & Fitch Mallard Drake Duck Decoy. Shows some wear from light use.

A large pair of Chinese turquoise glazed porcelain roosters with purple combs, circa 1920.

Beautifully gilt and hand painted Royal Crown Derby pair Imari pattern porcelain decorative urns/vases with gilt twin side handles. Each urn features an exterior 22k gold and handpai...

Unique and all handcrafted, practical size antique circular chandelier. Some chances you only get once in your life and that is exactly what we thought when we first saw this unique...

This is a box for the matcha powder using while tea ceremony in Japan. It is called 'Natsume'. It is made with wood. The design is a boat and it is hand painted. The material is with...

Chinese Neolithic Pottery Jar from the Majiayao Culture, specifically the Machang phase, in northwest China, and dating back roughly 4000 yea...

Meticulously enamelled and gilt satsuma box, Meiji Period (1867-1912). Overall very good antique condition, wood base is sculpted wood. Very good antique...

Japanese contemporary porcelain decorative porcelain vase, hand painted in red and blue on a beautifully shaped ovoid porcelain body, a signed piece by widely acclaimed Japanese mast...

17th century Italian silver leaf distressed angel wing with coordinating layers of mica layers creating a 3D effect of the angel wing. The wing sits on a smokey quartz crystal with n...

Introducing a stunning early 20th-century Bavarian porcelain vase by H & Co. of Selb, Bavaria. This large, double-handled vase boasts exquisit...

Colorful French mid-20th Century ceramic vase stamped Saint Clement France. A gorgeous decorative object with a wonderful black background and green over...

A rare and very fine bronze corpus of Christ after a model by Michelangelo, cast ca. 1597-1600 by Juan Bautista Franconio and painted in 1600 by Francisco Pacheco in Seville, Spain. The present corpus reproduces a model attributed to Michelangelo. The best known example, lesser in quality, is one on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). The association of this corpus with Michelangelo was first brought to light by Manuel Gomez-Moreno (1930-33) who studied the wider circulated casts identified throughout Spain. The attribution to Michelangelo was subsequently followed by John Goldsmith-Phillips (1937) of the MET and again by Michelangelo expert, Charles de Tolnay (1960). While Michelangelo is best known for his monumental works, there are four documented crucifixes he made. The best known example is the large-scale wooden crucifix for the Church of Santa Maria del Santo Spirito in Florence, made in 1492 as a gift for the Prior, Giovanni di Lap Bicchiellini, for allowing him to study the anatomy of corpses at the hospital there. In 1562, Michelangelo wrote two letters to his nephew, Lionardo, indicating his intention to carve a wooden crucifix for him. In 1563 a letter between Lionardo and the Italian sculptor Tiberio Calcagni, mentions this same crucifix (a sketch of a corpus on the verso of a sheet depicting Michelangelo’s designs for St. Peter’s Basillica [Palais des Beaux-Arts in Lille] may reproduce this). That Michelangelo was working on small corpora in the last years of his life is further evidenced by the small (26.5 cm) unfinished wooden crucifix located at the Casa Buonarroti, considered his last known sculptural undertaking. Michelangelo’s contemporary biographer, Giorgio Vasari additionally cites that Michelangelo, in his later years, made a small crucifix for his friend, Menighella, as a gift. Surviving sketches also indicate Michelangelo’s study of this subject throughout his career, most notably during the end of his life but also during the 1530s-40s as he deepened his spiritual roots. The occasional cameo of crucified Christ’s throughout his sketched oeuvre have made it challenging for scholars to link such sketches to any documented commissions of importance. All the while, in consideration that such objects were made as gifts, it is unlikely they should be linked with commissions. Nonetheless, a number of theories concerning Michelangelo’s sketches of Christ crucified have been proposed and some may regard the origin of the present sculpture. It has been suggested that the corpus could have its impetus with Michelangelo’s work on the Medici Chapel, whose exclusive design was given to the master. It is sensible smaller details, like an altar cross, could have fallen under his responsibility (see for example British Museum, Inv. 1859,0625.552). Others have noted the possibility of an unrealized large marble Crucifixion group which never came to fruition but whose marble blocks had been measured according to a sheet at the Casa Buonarroti. A unique suggestion is that Michelangelo could have made the crucifix for Vittoria Colonna, of whom he was exceedingly fond and with whom he exchanged gifts along with mutual spiritual proclivities. In particular, Vittoria had an interest in the life of St. Bridget, whose vision of Christ closely resembles our sculpture, most notably with Christ’s proper-left leg and foot crossed over his right, an iconography that is incredibly scarce for crucifixes. The suggestion could add sense to Benedetto Varchi’s comment that Michelangelo made a sculpted “nude Christ…he gave to the most divine Marchesa of Pescara (Vittoria Colonna).” Of that same period, two sketches can be visually linked to our sculpture. Tolnay relates it to a sketch of a Crucified Christ at the Teylers Museum (Inv. A034) of which Paul Joannides comments on its quality as suggestive of preparations for a sculptural work. Joannides also calls attention to a related drawing attributed to Raffaello da Montelupo copying what is believed to be a lost sketch by Michelangelo. Its relationship with our sculpture is apparent. Montelupo, a pupil of Michelangelo’s, returned to Rome to serve him in 1541, assisting with the continued work on the tomb of Pope Julius II, suggesting again an origin for the corpus ca. 1540. The earliest firm date that can be given to the present corpus is 1574 where it appears as a rather crudely conceived Crucifixion panel, flanked by two mourners in low-relief and integrally cast for use as the bronze tabernacle door to a ciborium now located at the Church of San Lorenzo in Padula. Etched in wax residue on the back of the door is the date, 27 January 1574, indicating the corpus would have at least been available as a model by late 1573. The Padula tabernacle was completed by Michelangelo’s assistant, Jacopo del Duca and likely has its origins with Michelangelo’s uncompleted tabernacle for the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Rome. The impetus for the Padula tabernacle’s Crucifixion panel begins with a series of late Crucifixion sketches by Michelangelo, depicting a scene of Christ crucified and flanked by two mourners (see British Museum Inv. 1895.0915.510; Ashmolean Museum Inv. 1846.89, KP II 343 recto; Windsor Castle RCIN 912761 recto; and Louvre Inv. 700). A faintly traced block possibly intended for sculpting the sketch of the crucified Christ on its recto was discovered by Tolnay on a version of the composition at Windsor Castle. The Windsor sketch and those related to it appear to have served as preparatory designs for what was probably intended to become the Basilica of St. Mary’s tabernacle door. Vasari documents that the project was to be designed by Michelangelo and cast by his assistant, Jacopo del Duca. Michelangelo died before the commission was complete, though on 15 March 1565, Jacopo writes to Michelangelo’s nephew stating, “I have started making the bronze tabernacle, depending on the model of his that was in Rome, already almost half complete.” Various circumstances interrupted the completion of the tabernacle, though its concept is later revitalized by Jacopo during preparations to sell a tabernacle, after Michelangelo’s designs, to Spain for Madrid’s El Escorial almost a decade later. The El Escorial tabernacle likewise encountered problems and was aborted but Jacopo successfully sold it shortly thereafter to the Carthusians of Padula. An etched date, 30 May 1572, along the base of the Padula tabernacle indicates its framework was already cast by then. A 1573 summary of the tabernacle also describes the original format for the door and relief panels, intended to be square in dimension. However, a last minute decision to heighten them was abruptly made during Jacopo’s negotiations to sell the tabernacle to King Phillip II of Spain. Shortly thereafter the commission was aborted. Philippe Malgouyres notes that the Padula tabernacle’s final state is a mixed product of the original design intended for Spain’s El Escorial, recycling various parts that had already been cast and adding new quickly finished elements for its sale to Padula, explaining its unusually discordant quality, particularly as concerns the crudeness of the door and relief panels which were clearly made later (by January 1574). Apart from his own admission in letters to Spain, it is apparent, however, that Jacopo relied upon his deceased master’s designs while hastily realizing the Padula panels. If Michelangelo had already earlier conceived a crucifix model, and Jacopo had access to that model, its logical he could have hastily employed it for incorporation on the door panel to the tabernacle. It is worth noting some modifications he made to the model, extending Christ’s arms further up in order to fit them into the scale of the panel and further lowering his chin to his chest in order to instill physiognomic congruence. A crude panel of the Deposition also follows after Michelangelo’s late sketches and is likewise known by examples thought to be modifications by Jacopo based upon Michelangelo’s initial sculptural conception (see Malgouyres: La Deposition du Christ de Jacopo del Duca, chef-d’oeuvre posthume de Michel-Ange). Jacopo’s appropriation of an original model by Michelangelo for more than one relief on the Padula tabernacle adds further indication that the crucifix was not an object unique to Jacopo’s hand, as few scholars have posited, but rather belongs to Michelangelo’s original...

A stoneware art deco vase with beautiful brown glaze. Foot and mouth detailed in gold. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for ALP (Lidköpings Porslinsfabrik), Sweden, 1930s. Excellent condit...

A monumental terra cotta swan from Italy. The piece is a wonderful addition to the garden or lanai. Made of dense material and able to withstand the elements. Works well as a centerpiece as well. The 15"x15"x8deep vessel on top easily holds flower, plants or floating flowers - could also work to hold magazines or craft supplies...

Born in 1992 in Macerata in the Marche region, the Italian artist carried out a path that between studies of Surveyor and Architecture led him to a long collaboration with a craft co...

A large and highly decorative French Aesthetic Movement ormolu-mounted barbotine majolica vase, Choisy-le-Roi, circa 1890. The vase is richly ...

Indulge in the splendor of the Meiji period with this remarkable pair of antique porcelain lidded jars, crafted circa 1885. Standing at an impressive 20 inches tall with a diameter o...

An impressive and richly carved giltwood frame executed in the Baroque style, dating from the 17th century. The frame features exuberant scrolling acanthus leaves, volutes, and carto...

- Hand built decorative cat sculpture - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made b...

Four crystal glass bottles painted from the inside featuring artworks in style of Qi Bai Shi, the renowned early 20th century artist who's known for his black and white Chinese ink p...

This vase is a perfume bottle, that can be used with the cap, as it, or as a vase if we put off the cap. The painting is handmade, it is a gold 24-karat painting. This is a productio...

Rare Venetian 16th century Italian traveling jewelry chest profusely decorated in Arabesque black and gilt decoration featuring rare specimen stone drawer fronts in a Palladian archi...

Here is a charming terracotta cat figure by Alfaraz Studio / Workshop of Madrid, Spain. From the 1960s, this striking fellow is handprinted in rich, golden yellow with contrasting bl...

Sphere table cigarette lighter in 925/1000 gold-plated sterling silver and translucent fire enamel on guilloché, in a modern contemporary style. Piezoelectric mechanism. Dimensions d...

This is a pair of Japanese Satsuma Kutani porcelain Foo Dogs. They are hand painted white and adorned with gilt and silver suns, flowers and scrolls. Bo...

Very large, handmade and hand painted, museum quality porcelain from Sitzendorf Porcelain Manufactory in Thuringia, Germany depicts one of the most famous religious scenes in all of ...

Hand-painted Royal Delft candlesticks by De Porceleyne Fles decorated in classic blue and white and offered as a pair with original Delft boxes. This rare and elegant pair of Royal ...

A stunning French Art Deco mantel clock , circa 1920s featuring the iconic theatrical lovers Pierrot and Pierrette in a sculptural group atop a beautifully patterned marble base, att...

Post Modern Display Mannequin from a Japanese store formerly located on Madison Ave, NY. Articulated fiberglass mannequin body has screws at join...

This elegant pair of pink opaline glass vases is a charming example of late 19th century French decorative art, distinguished by their luminous colour, refined hand-painted details, ...

Limited edition High Porcelain sculpture of a Spanish pure breed horse carrying out a dressage exercise. Spanish Pure Breed - Haute École is a porcelain sculpture in a limited editio...

Charming folk art 19th-century country English pine blanket chest or box featuring a Georgian manor house facade on the outside. The storage box has a hinged top and handles on each ...

Finest quality, vintage retired, handmade and hand painted in Germany, Rosenthal porcelain German Shepherd dog figurine by artist Theodor Kar...

Early 20th-century Modernist figural black cat doorstop, manufactured by the renowned Hubley Manufacturing Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, circa 1920–1930. Highly celebrated fo...

Josef Lorenzl Art Deco bronze sculpture. Size: Height 33cm. The cold painted bronze sculpture is mounted on a Brazilian green onyx plinth. All in an o...

Faience figure "Dachshund", Royal Belvedere, sculptor: Rudolf Chocholka, Austria, Vienna, 1920s - 1930s Additional Information: Materials: faience, underglaze hand painting Vint...

Sculpture gilded peacock handmade in precious porcelain one by one, feather by feather. Each feather is unique. Made with shiny porcelain, hand-painted ...

A very fine Austrian Bronze  animalier bronze study of a standing blackbird with excellent naturalistic cold painted colours and fine intricate detail, signed with the Bergman ‘B’ in...

Very attractive painting of Maria with the baby Jesus. Painted on metal. France circa 1800-1850 Weathered and small losses.

French Sèvres turquoise-ground porcelain two-handled footed covered decorative urn / potpourri , dating to the mid 19th century. Executed in a refined classical form, the piece featu...

A large Thai hand-painted blue and white porcelain bowl from the 20th century with floral motifs. Created in Thailand, this porcelain bowl features a circular tapering silhouette wit...

Large Moroccan glazed ceramic urn with lid from Fez. Moorish style ceramic handcrafted and hand painted with Arabic calligraphy writing. This kind of Art Writing looks calligraphic...

Vintage ceramic or pottery vase features hand-thrown body with distinct, sculptural foot and wide free form flared rim. The vase is decorated with salt glaze with drip glaze accents...

Gio Ponti rare large vase designed in 1929-30. Glazed maiolica. Painted designer's and manufacturer's marks. This exquisite piece showcases the artistry of glazed maiolica, combinin...

A naturalistic shaped and fine detailed elephant figurine from the Art Nouve era dating to around 1910. The elephant is marked with a green unidetified manufacturer's mark.

Italian ceramic, perfect condition, produced in 1960s. Signed Made in Italy. We have also another big cats for sale, check our products. Only one unique piece available.

Exquisite contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand painted in various shades of blue on an elegantly shaped body, a signed piece by master porcelain artist f...

This Dutch Gouda pottery vase in the Rhodian pattern dates to the 1930s and presents a striking example of Art Nouveau-inspired decorative earthenw...

This is a large ironstone pottery Footed Punch Bowl in the rare Mogul chinoiserie people pattern produced by the Mason's factory at Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, during the lat...

Rare and very difficult to find MCM kinetic painted steel mobile by C. Jere for Artisian House, circa 1987. The piece is in good vintage condition and can fluctuate in size based on...

Vintage ceramic or pottery vase features traditional rounded body with elongated bulbous neck with flared rim; the shoulder is accented with textured band of abstract graphic element...

A wonderful, original Mid-Century Madoura pottery vase by renowned Spanish artist Pablo Picasso titled "Chouetton (Young Wood Owl)". The work, which features two distinct owl faces,...

Presenting a set high-end and important Japanese dolls of Musha Ningyo Samurai Dolls containing Takenouchi No Sukune,Grandson,Bannerman on two wooden stands from the Edo period, a traditional Japanese warrior doll...

Sculpture parrot couple made in solid porcelain, hand-painted finish, on solid bronze and porcelain base.

Stunning and vibrant, 27 cm high, vase with sgrafitto and hand-painted colored glossy pattern of stylised women. On the base is painted Italy 7862 I have also a smaller and a large o...