Elm Collectibles and Curiosities

Polena policroma ornamentale spagnola del XIX sec. si tratta di una scultura raffigurante figura femminile in legno di olmo con sottofondo di gesso e finitura ad olio, manifattura spagnola della fine del XIX secolo. Altezza cm 110- inch. 43.3 larghezza cm 27 – inch. 10.6, profondità cm 37- inch. 14.55. Buono stato, restauro conservativo. La polena è una decorazione lignea, spesso figura femminile o di animale, che si trovava sulla prua delle navi dal XVI al XIX secolo. La pratica fu introdotta inizialmente nei galeoni, ma anche navi più antiche avevano spesso alcune decorazioni nella prua. Come molte delle austere decorazioni del tempo la polena aveva lo scopo di indicare il nome della nave che la ospitava a persone che non sapevano inoltre avevano lo scopo di mostrare la ricchezza e la forza del proprietario. Durante il periodo Barocco alcune navi vantavano polene gigantesche, pesanti molte tonnellate e talvolta ne portavano persino due, una per ogni lato dell'albero di trinchetto. Le grosse polene, essendo intagliate nel legno massiccio ed essendo poste sulla punta dello scafo, influivano negativamente sulle capacità di navigazione delle navi. Questo, e gli alti costi di realizzazione, portarono nel XVIII secolo a fare polene molto più piccole e addirittura ad eliminarle nel secolo successivo. Dopo le guerre napoleoniche si ricominciò a produrre qualche polena, ma raffiguravano solo piccoli mezzibusti e non le grosse figure utilizzate in passato. I clipper degli anni 1850 e 1860 erano in genere dotati di polene a figura intera, ma queste erano relativamente piccole e leggere. La polena in quanto tale morì con la fine dell'utilizzo della propulsione a vela in larga scala. I primi piroscafi avevano delle strutture che ricordavano le polene...

Antique Chinese Hand Painted Elm Ancestral Shrine This hand carved and crafted Antique Chinese Hand Painted Elm Ancestral Shrine is used to place fruits and flowers offerings, usua...

A scarce fine quality surveyor's / engineer's transit theodolite scientific instrument by Fuji Surveying Instrument Co. Ginza, Tokyo for Ishikura & Co. Fukuoka, Japan. circa 1950s Constructed in brass and black enameled metal, having a 15cm polished brass telescope with tubular bubble level and optional lacquered sunshade, large six spoke vertical meridian circle with vernier scale readout, mounted by stylized horseshoe U-frame Altazimuth mount apparatus comprising circular horizontal black enamel platform signed Fuji, Tokyo, having inset compass center with beveled glass face and white dial that reads No.5211041, flanked by a pair of silvered vernier scales and opposing bubble levels, over elaborate silver and brass tribrach with level screw adjustments, rising on a sturdy rectangular wooden base, includes original highly figured Keyaki elm case with rich warm color, visible box finger joinery, two-tone carry handle, fitted interior, retaining original paper labels to door interior. Operational. A rare museum quality example, with it's rich contrasting colors and metalic tones, distinctive sculptural form, and interesting scientific history, it makes for a fascinating decorative object / industrial decor...

Model of an antique Swedish foot stool from the mid-19th century. Most likely made for a sales man of furniture to show the customer a smaller versi...

A superb antique English elm walking stick with sterling silver handle by James Barber, York, dated 1851. Hallmarks on handle. This fine walking st...

French barometer of elm wood signed Leroy Optician Paris, first half of the 19th century. Complete with reading vernier for the variation of atmospheric pressure and two thermometers...

Along with paper, ink, and inkstone, the brush was among the four treasures found in a traditional scholar’s studio. The brush served as a direct link to the artist’s creative spirit...

Hand-carved from elmwood, this 19th-century shuttle fits wonderfully in the hand. Beautifully worn from years of use, it was likely used in a workshop in southern China, carrying wef...

Lavishly pigmented and carved with intricate detail, these petite mythical figurines were originally decorative elements from an ornate 19th century bed surround. Each gilt figure de...

Along with paper, ink, and inkstone, the brush was part of the Four Treasures found in a scholar’s studio. Arguably the most important tool, the brush served as a direct link to the ...

This is a superb antique elm and brass set ships wheel, circa 1880 in date. This exceptional nautical collectable features six elegant turn king cylindrical spokes ending in handles, and a wonderful brass centre cap. It is in truly excellent condition and highly decorative, making it perfect as a sumptuous home wall decor. Add this wonderful maritime collectors wheel to your collection. Condition: In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 56 x width 56 x depth 8 Dimensions in inches: Height 22.0 x width 22.0 x depth 3.1 Elms are deciduous and semi-deciduous trees comprising the flowering plant genus Ulmus in the plant family Ulmaceae. The genus first appeared in the Miocene geological period about 20 million years ago, originating in what is now central Asia. These trees flourished and spread over most of the Northern Hemisphere, inhabiting the temperate and tropical-montane regions of North America and Eurasia, presently ranging southward across the Equator into Indonesia. Elms are components of many kinds of natural forests. Moreover, during the 19th and early 20th centuries many species and cultivars were also planted as ornamental street, garden, and park trees in Europe, North America, and parts of the Southern Hemisphere, notably Australasia. Some individual elms reached great size and age. However, in recent decades, most mature elms of European or North American origin have died from Dutch elm disease, caused by a micro fungus dispersed by bark beetles. In response, disease-resistant cultivars have been developed, capable of restoring the elm to forestry and landscaping. Elmwood is valued for its interlocking grain, and consequent resistance to splitting, with significant uses in wagon wheel hubs, chair seats and coffins. The bodies of Japanese Taiko drums...

Ancestor worship is an aspect of the traditional Chinese religion which revolves around the ritual celebration of deified ancestors. Families pay continued obeisance to their ancestors at structures like these by making important announcements before them and by offering food and drink. This ancestral shrine...