Granite Folk Art

This 19th-century Japanese carved granite weight is a stunning piece of history repurposed for modern use. Originally crafted to weigh specific measurements of grains or other goods ...

This 19th-century Japanese carved granite weight is a stunning piece of history repurposed for modern use. Originally crafted to weigh specific measurements of grains or other goods ...

The XIX Dynasty of Ancient Egypt was part of the Egyptian New Kingdom and was founded by Vizier Ramasses I, whom Pharaoh Horemheb chose as his successor to the throne. The XIX Dynasty is best remembered for its military conquests in the lands of Canaan. The relative peace of the XVIII Dynasty gave way to a century of wars, which produced art that attempted to maintain ancestral traditions in order to claim its dynastic lineage and succession to the throne.This large serpentine statue tells of the prominence of administrative art during this period. The figure is an ushabti, a funerary statue that would have been placed in a tomb among the grave goods of the inhabitant, intended to act as a servant for the deceased in the afterlife. The ushabtis would be called upon to perform their menial tasks, each figure's purpose is often attested to by objects in their hands, such as bread-baker holding grain or farmer holding a scythe, and they would be donated by the workers of the deceased to fulfill their roles for them in death. Hieroglyphics could often also be found running the length of their legs giving further clues to their roles and stating whom they intended to work for. These inscriptions were called answers and asserted the figures readiness to be summoned to the gods work The practice of placing ushabtis inside tombs originated in the Old Kingdom, with the earliest evidence from the middle of the third millennium B.C. when they buried next to mummies[2]. They are normally miniature in size, of hard stones such as limestone, granite or serpentine (and occasionally of faience or bronze), and produced in multiples to provide the important deceased with an army of workers. Sometimes so many were produced that they world cover the entire surface floor of a tomb. Due to this commonness, many extant examples survive, in varying qualities, and as a collection of artifacts they provide a unique insight in to the fascinating death customs of the Ancient Egyptians, highlighting their very real belief in an eternal afterlife.This beautifully carved statue holds hoes and a seed sack, indicating they were destined for manual toil in the eternal afterlife amongst the fields growing grain to produce food for the interred. Another agricultural implement with crisscrossing ropes is tucked in to the back of the figure's kilt, making sure he is ready for any farming situation necessary. He wears a long-sleeved shirt with a long pleated kilt, which has a large over-fold and broad beaded collar. He also wears a double wig composed of zig-zags and echeloned curls, and his face has a slightly aquiline nose, with almond-shaped eyes a fixed, determined gaze.A column running the length of his over-fold contains five lines of hieroglyphic inscription that name the owner of the worker (Kenj), and recite chapter VI from the Ancient Egyptian Book of...

Sculpture "Tactile Monolith no 3" by Stine Mikkelsen Dimensions: Height 52 cm Width 74 cm Depth 23 cm Materials: Composite and granite Tactile Monoliths is a minimal collect...

Sculpture "Tactile Monolith no 3" by Stine Mikkelsen Dimensions: 60 x 108 x 18 cm Materials: Composite and granite Tactile Monoliths is a minimal collection of objects created b...

Midcentury carved red marble kiwi bird sculpture. Stylized marble sculpture of a kiwi bird. (Australian bird). Signed.

Carved granite folk-art bust of a man (Signed). This lotis a unique mid-20th century carved granite Folk Art bust of a man on a separate granite base. T...

A beautiful small bronze abstract sculpture by Jorge Castillo with granite cube base, circa 1970. Signed and numbered. Measures: Height 7.75", width 3.75...

A good opportunity to acquire a hard to find antique Japanese hand-carved stone turtle "kame", and dating to the Taisho period, 1915. Look at the supe...

A good pair of Elegantly crafted Native American, Northern Plains Mocassins, 19th century Fine bead work in red, blue, green, and white colors. Patina from appropriate age. Dimen...

An extraordinary sculpture in granite, signed by Francisco Pazos Martinez, well know Spanish artist. Unique piece.With signature

Here's one of the only hand-carved antique granite stone pigs we have had the pleasure of owning- a rare and superb garden treasure from Korea's Joseon kingdom, early 20th century. ...