French 16th Century Gunsmith's Enclume, Anvil

A stunning early 16th century Coffre - Trunk from the Bourgogne region of France. Beautifully constructed from very handsome walnut with lovely linen fold detailing, a beautiful lock...

A stunning 16th century carved panel from the Ariege region of France - Southwestern France. Beautifully sculpted from walnut. Much of the or...

An outstanding late 16th century Torchere, standing lantern from the Avignon region of France. Expertly crafted from hand forged iron. Exceptional pat...

An exceptional Gothic Period French Cadran Solaire - Sundail beautifully carved from stone. Fabulous patina. A perfect accent to any garden.

Exceptional Period Renaissance processional cross early 16th century, France Extremely rare and beautiful processional cross from the early period of the French Renaissance. This ...

Superb Italian Renaissance bronze mortar with his pestle - 16th century Very beautiful model with AN in its center surmounted by a cross below . The mortar is decorated with several...

16th century cast iron mortar with two very beautiful handles Beautiful original object with a great patina and in very good condition.

Portapaz. Silver in its color and gilded. Century XVI. Portapaz made of silver that has a handle (decorated with delicate plant motifs similar to those of the pilasters) and a female and a male bust at the bottom, as well as other architectural elements on the back, and, on the front, an architectural composition classicist basement (with busts flanking a flower and a cross), two pilasters (vegetal decoration and capital recalling the composite order) with entablature (flowers flanking an angel's head; moldings), and a semicircular arch finish with elements veined in relief under cross and flanked by two architectural motifs in the upper part. This composition frames and enhances a gilt silver relief where you can see the Lament or Cry over the Body of Christ, with the Virgin holding the head of Jesus, Saint John at her side, the Magdalene and other characters, a cross following the group and a landscape background with houses and plant elements. This architectural structure mentioned is similar to the one present in other 16th century portapaces, such as that of the Magdalena de Dos Hermanas parish (Hernando de Ballesteros el Mozo, around 1575); or that of the Galaroza parish (same author and date); or that of the portapaz of San Miguel de Jerez de los Caballeros (in some details); etc. As for the relief, it is possible to clearly see a strong Italian influence, and the similarity between it and important pieces such as the Portapaz known as “de Cisneros by Juan de Burgos (1493-1497; MuseoCatedralicio de Alcalá de Henares), as well as in paintings and reliefs. Also noteworthy are both the male and female busts in the lower area and the Maltese cross (or Saint John's) that appears in this area. This symbol was used since the 12th century as an insignia by the Knights Hospitallers of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, also known as the Order of Malta...