Victorian Folk Art

English Majolica shell butter pat signed Wedgwood, circa 1880.  

A large and detailed, early 20th century portrait painting of a cockerel. Belgium, c.1925 Painted and signed by Paul Henri Schouten, renowned for his finely observed oil studies of ...

19th Century Extra-Long Brass Sleigh Bells on Leather Belt: 39 Jingle Bells, Nearly 8 Feet Long A spectacular and highly authentic set of original 19th-century brass sleigh bells, featuring an impressive 39 hand-cast bells mounted on a nearly 8-foot-long leather strap. This exceptional antique offers not only a beautiful historic presence, but also the perfect traditional “Jingle Bells” sound, bright, rich, and unmistakably festive, just as sleigh bells should be. Each bell is solid brass, tightly fastened and fully functional, producing that magical tone that modern reproductions rarely achieve. The leather strap retains its original metal buckle and remains surprisingly supple and pliable for its age. With simple annual conditioning, it should continue to remain strong and flexible for years to come. The strap appears handmade and hand-stitched, and while there are small areas of thread loss consistent with age, the original workmanship was so solid that these minor imperfections do not compromise the structural integrity of the piece. The leather has developed a beautifully worn patina that speaks to more than a century of use, adding depth and authenticity to its appearance. In the 19th century, long straps of sleigh bells like this were affixed to horse harnesses so travelers could be heard approaching through winter snow, helping prevent collisions on narrow rural roads. Over time, this cheerful sound became woven into the imagery of the holiday season and ultimately inspired the classic Christmas carol, “Jingle Bells.” Today, authentic sets like this capture the warmth and romance of Victorian winter travel and embody the nostalgia of an old-fashioned Christmas. Because of its impressive length, this sleigh bell strap lends itself beautifully to holiday decorating. Many collectors enjoy hanging it on a door so it jingles each time someone enters or exits, while others drape it across a mantel for a warm, traditional seasonal moment. It also looks wonderful wrapped around a staircase railing, stretched along a festive tablescape as a conversation piece, or even displayed on a wall as a piece of functional folk art. However it’s arranged, the authentic sound and historic character bring instant Victorian holiday charm to any space. Original 19th-century sleigh bell straps in this size and condition have become increasingly difficult to find, especially with such a full complement of bells still attached. Modern reproductions, while decorative, seldom replicate the deep, resonant sound of genuine antique brass or the rich patina only time and use can create. For lovers of Americana, equestrian history, Victorian Christmas...

Rare and unusual English 19th century sailors valentines handcrafted with exotic seashells. Two around images with figures and architecture. All under a convex lens. Priced individua...

Antique Englishpainted wood firescreen flower basket dummy board During the 18th and 19th centuries, dummy board fire screens were highly fashionable, esp...

Painting “Venice by Moonlight” by K. Nufer, Munich Late 19th Century Magnificent antique painting in oil on canvas. Painted by K. Nufer Munich in the late 19th century. The painting...

English Majolica shell butter pat signed Wedgwood, circa 1880.  

Collection of 3 Italian 19th century Marionettes A fantastic set of 3 19th century hand crafted marionette puppets. All with original cotton, silk and valour clothing intact, han...

19th century English bread board made from sycamore. the border is hand carved with the word bread and a hand-carved design of oak leaves and acor...

Beautiful, unique Boule ball pair and one target ball, France, late 19th Century. Decorated with the numer "3" on each of the Boule balls. In the 19th century, the manufacture of b...

19th Century Hand Carved Ludovic Gavioli Organ Figure Quite simply, she is beautiful and graceful. This amazing example of a late 19th century hand carved sectioned pine organ figure was produced by the world-renowned Ludovic Gavioli. The detail and expression on her face is what makes this example so delightful, an air of beauty and lifelike appeal in her expression. Personally, we have seen a few figures by Gavioli in the past but this one is special. The detail is of the finest quality and the late 19th century was most certainly when Gavioli produced some of his finest work. Giacomo Gavioli (1786-1875) was considered the greatest of all band organ...

19th century sword cane from England with a metal top, which opens to reveal a snuff compartment. The can itself is made from bamboo. The handle of the cane separates to reveal a...

Wooden Carved Lusterweibchen of a Medieval Noble Lady ca. 1900 An antique lusterweibchen with a hand carved and stained statue of a medieval lady with wine glass. Mounted on a pair ...

A pair of 19th century Victorian folk art naval full-length portraits, executed in oil on wood panels, depict two individuals dressed in sailor suits. The sides of the panels bear pa...

Sailor's Flag of Nations Woolwork with Heart Valentine and Flag Surround, Circa 1880 The distinctive British sailor's woolwork or woolie showcases a flag designed in a patriotic sty...

Rare 19th century fairground Bayol carousel horse Dimensions: H 47” x W 29” x D 9” Weight: 20kg Date: Late 19th Century Origin: EU Material: Pine and metal Info: This item does no...

Early 20th century English Hand Painted “HELL” Sign Originally this sign was reclaimed from a shoe shop named “Shellington Shoes” in Essex. Most of the sign was damaged but we luck...

Fine quality late 19th century "straight stick" mahogany cane with a "sterling" silver mark at the base of the highly repoussed and chased collar; with a floral geometric design at ...

Antique English wood and cork Mallard drake decoy with original paint. Hand crafted in England. Lightweight, with impressionistic shape and form. Circa early 20th century. Tip of...

Beautiful, unique Boule ball, France, late 19th Century. In the 19th century, the manufacture of boules balls underwent significant development in France as the game of boules, part...

Beautiful, unique Boule ball, France, late 19th Century. In the 19th century, the manufacture of boules balls underwent significant development in France as the game of boules, particularly the pétanque variant, gained in popularity. The manufacture of boules balls during this period was a manual process that required expertise, precision and love to detail. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in rural areas of France and other Mediterranean regions, olive wood was a commonly used source of material for making boules balls. This was not only due to the availability of the material, but also to the outstanding properties of olive wood, which was characterized by hardness, strength and a rich grain. First, the olive wood was carefully selected and shaped into raw balls, which were then sanded to the desired size and shape. The nails were then hammered into the balls one by one, making sure that they were evenly distributed and firmly anchored. Finally, the spheres were polished and coated with a protective varnish to enhance their natural beauty and protect them from the elements. The use of nails to decorate and reinforce olive wood boules was a traditional practice that not only gave the ball a rustic aesthetic, but also improved its durability and contributed to customization. Many balls were made according to the specific requirements and preferences of the players. Nails were driven at regular intervals around the ball, with each nail hole precisely placed so as not to affect the balance and weight distribution of the ball. These nails not only served as a decorative element, but also helped to strengthen the structure of the ball and make it more resistant to the hard knocks and wear and tear during play. Individual engravings or decorations were often applied to the balls to make them unique and identify the player. Antique boules...

Beautiful, unique Boule ball pair and one target ball, France, late 19th Century. In the 19th century, the manufacture of boules balls underwent significant development in France as...

American Victorian decorative hand fan The right fan guard has loss and cracks to its white lacquer finish. Light fraying of silk.

American Victorian beige silk painted decorative hand fan

A charming oil on board painting of a pondering dog in a country house kitchen. Age related craquelure to the painted surface, the odd knock and abrasion to the gilt gesso frame. But...

Large antique 19th century Genre Portrait of a boy by listed artist Adolf Heller, (German , 1874 -1914) A beautifully executed portrait that captures the ...

This is a large antique ammonite specimen, African in origin and mounted during the late Victorian period, circa 1890. A magnificent example of natural history, set upon a fine mahog...

Rare Early 20th Century Hand Carved Fairground Dragon Ride Fragment A highly decorative and delightful object of an early 20th Century fairground dragon ride fragment panel. Would l...

This is a rare and original '9 Spot' Dominoe game of 55 individual dominoes, coming complete with its jointed wooden box or case. Dominoe sets are normally six-spot sets giving a to...

Antique Barber Chair for Children, Germany ca. 1920s An antique barber shop children chair. With rotatable height adjustment and a wooden h...

This late 19th century miniature 3-drawer dresser with original mirror mounted above, was likely used as a salesman's sample by an itinerant sales person who traveled the countryside promoting his articles, usually by seeking out merchants to take orders based on this scaled down miniature bureau, or by leaving it on display in a merchant's establishment to take orders from that merchant's customers. This American bureau...

American Victorian decorative hand fan with mother of pearl and silk painted scene Antique condition: The front guard is broken

The Holy Bible With An Abridgement Of The Commentaries Of Scott And Henry Bound in full navy Morocco with the covers displaying open-tooled bordering details, an indented central ti...

Antique Vienna Bronce Bear on a Crystal Rock Item e7254 A beautiful small bronze statue of a wandering bear mounted on a crystal rock. A magnificent, realistic example of the famous ...

19th Century Japanese Meiji Iki mask A Japanese Meiji period Iki mask dated from the late 19th Century, depicting a dynamic expressive human face, with glass eyes and hair and a burn...

Late 19th century hand made and decoratively painted game board, circa 1890s to 1910, a checker or chess board with squares individually hand painted with miniature watercolor portra...

American Victorian needlepoint embroidered bell pull with leaf design and brass ball pull.

Early 20th century pair of Fairground Figures Dimensions: H 63” x W 19” x D 1” Weight: 8kg the pair Date: Circa 1920 - 1940 Origin: Unknown Material: Pine Info: These figures do n...

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Circa 1900 Austrian Vienna cold paint bronze Statue / Watch holder by the wonder that is Franz Bergman. Fully stamped to ...

Antique Lusterweibchen of a Patrician Lady ca. 1900 An antique lusterweibchen chandelier of a medieval patrician lady holding a heraldig blazon which features the bavarian colors an...

English Sailor's Woolwork of a Battleship, Circa 1865-75. The sailor's woolie depicts a starboard side view of a second rate battleship flying the White ensign under sail. White se...

A beautiful, fully restored Victorian rocking horse complete with a studded leather saddle, blue saddle blanket and leather reins and stirrups....

This is an antique wool winder stand. An English, walnut adjustable yarn swift, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Fascinating ear...

Early 20th century double sided English chemist sign Made from double sided glass with reflective silver illuminated text, this early 20th century example of an English chemist tra...

Vintage Barber Chair for Children, Germany ca. 1950s A vintage barber shop children chair. With rotatable height adjustment and a wooden ho...

19th century English bone shoe horn and button hook most likely for high button shoes in the Victorian period. There is a monogram which appears to be the letters S H. Wonderful de...

We are delighted to offer for sale this original Victorian games compendium with a complete suite of games This is a very well made and c...

19th Century French folk-art militaria painting 19th Century piece of French folk-art militaria art, gouache on paper in its original frame still with vibrant colours and detail as ...

A pair of French 19th century ebonized oak candlesticks. Skillfully turned in a faux bamboe.

Erwin Kettemann Landscape in the Tyrolean Alps, Oil on Canvas ca. 1930 An original antique painting showing alpine meadows with moutains in ...

Ludwig Sellmayr, Deer with Doe and Fawn in the Forest, ca. 1880 A naturalistic oil painting depicting a deer family in the forest. Oil on canvas by Lu...

Antique map of Long Island, Southold, Shelter Island, Orient, Great details, Names of homes, Roads and Businesses in 1870. Unframed. This is...

Early 20th Century Rare Chicken Fairground Target Panel from Paris Made from pine and papier Mache with hand painted detail. Known as a Passé Boule in France these fairground amusem...

English Country style Victorian diorama in oak case of sail/steam ship with small lighthouse.  

Nice antique onion lantern, unknown maker. A wonderful rustic decor for tabletop or hanging. Sold as a prop for decor only, the function of the o...

This is a rare and original '9 Spot' Dominoe game of 55 individual dominoes, coming complete with its jointed wooden box or case. Dominoe sets are normally six-spot sets giving a to...

Very attractive and well-made decorative and colorful Staffordshire porcelain money box or savings bank; made in England, indicative of the style potters from that region employed, circa 1880. Nicely detailed with green floral facie, orange double pane windows and front door, and a white painted cottage with brown steps and green fauna at entry. There were no "coin traps" or provisions for coin removal so banks such as these are rare since smashing or breaking the bank was the only method by which the money could be retrieved. The bank is in very good all original condition with only a minor "hairline" repair to one of the chimney stacks (see image). It is very sound and done a long time ago and is hardly noticeable. Being a cross collectible, this would be a very unique addition for a Staffordshire collector indeed (the subject being a money box), or a welcome compliment to any still bank...

3 English Victorian-style wooden right handed glove forms with articulated fingers on goose-neck chrome supports on round bases (PRICED EACH)

Stylized Bear Sculpture by Richard Lindh for Arabia Finland Item e7279 A vintage ceramic statue depicting a bear. Made by Arabia Finland and de...

This antique mast figure is French and as the story goes salvaged off a French Ship damaged in the Anglo-French War (1803–1815). The one side shows fire damage and is burned in charc...