18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
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Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Small Cabinet de Curiosites with Marble finishing
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Very elegant cabinet de Curiosites with 6 drawers and nice marble finishing
elegant feet and great patina.
Category
Italian Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Pine
18th Century Terracotta Statue of a Female Figure
Located in Firenze, IT
Terracotta statue depicting a female figure. The statue features glass eyes and original dress. The quality of the face and hands is very refined, Naples, 18th century.
Dimensions...
Category
Italian Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Terracotta
Portrait Miniature Jean-Baptiste Couvelet, French, 1772-1830
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY:
No additional costs will be added to this order.
Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
A girl, head and shoulders, her da...
Category
French Louis XVI Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Oak
American Walnut Satinwood Inlaid Valuables Box with Original Feet, Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Chippendale walnut oval satinwood inlaid valuables box with a carved molded hinged lid revealing an interior till with a secret hidden drawer, e...
Category
American Chippendale Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
Rare English Queen Anne Antique Miniature Salesman Sample Tilt-Top Table
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A RARE AND FINE QUEEN ANNE MAHOGANY MINIATURE SALESMAN'S SAMPLE TILT-TOP CANDLESTAND
England, circa last quarter of the 18th century
Item # 403RPJ02P
An exceedingly fine and rare sa...
Category
English Queen Anne Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Mahogany
Navy Signal Cannon 18th / 19th Century European Brass Barrel And Wood Carriage
Located in Miami, FL
European signal cannon from the late 18th-19th century.
An antique piece made and used in Europe, circa 1800. This kind of small scale toys were made to be used in the navy of some ...
Category
English Arts and Crafts Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Brass
Louis XV Miniature Parquery Armoire, Circa 1760
Located in Spencertown, NY
The Louis XV Provincial Walnut Parquetry Miniature Armoire. Opening to reveal a shelves and drawers.
Category
French Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Ebony, Walnut
Italian Rare Antique Miniature Blanket Chest in Poplar
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare late 17th century Italian rustic miniature blanket chest in solid poplar wood. This miniature blanket chest is ideal for decorating your home and can be used to store your preci...
Category
Italian Renaissance Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Poplar
Pocket Globe, Nicholas Lane, London, post 1779
By Nicholas Lane
Located in Milano, IT
Pocket Globe
Nicholas Lane
London, post 1779
The globe is contained in its original case, which is covered in leather.
The sphere measures 2.75 in (6.9 cm) whereas the case measure...
Category
English Other Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Leather, Wood, Paper
George III Mahogany Miniature Chest Of Drawers
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular with a caddy top over four drawers with bracket feet. These were made by furniture makers for family members and friends. Also used to promote a cabinetmakers skills.
Category
English George III Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Brass
18th century santos figure/capipote
Located in Brecht, BE
a polychromed wooden santos figure/capipote, carved in Italy in the 18th century, these were catholic procession mannequins
Category
Italian Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Pine
Roman Marble Architectural Decoration - 1st / 2nd century AD
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Roman marble architectural Decoration
1st-2nd century AD
14 x 9,5 x 5
on a modern metal stand
Decorated in three sides with vegetal elements, le...
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Marble
Balsamarium shaped as a Bust of a Black Boy - Roman, 1st – 2nd Century AD
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Balsamarium shaped as a Bust of a Black Boy
Bronze, silver inlaid eyes and lips, Roman, 1st – 2nd Century AD
Provenance:
Private London Collection formed 1965-1975
H 10 cm (4 in...
Category
Italian Classical Roman Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Silver, Bronze
Rare 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Miniature Chest
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Delightful And Charming 18th Century Mahogany, George II Period, Miniature Chest Having Superbly Figured Top, Over Unusual Arrangement Of Drawers, Retaining Incredible Original Bra...
Category
English George II Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Louis Seize Miniature Model Chest of Drawers
Located in Münster, DE
Model commode, Louis Seize around 1790, walnut veneered and marquetry, 3 drawers, brass knobs, restored condition, shellac polish
height: 30 cm, width: 40 cm, depth: 24,5 cm
Category
French Louis XVI Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Walnut
Late 18th Century Micromosaic with Parrot on a branch. From a Model by G.Raffael
By Giacomo Raffaelli
Located in Paris, FR
Large micro-mosaic plate representing a parrot on a branch. From a model by Giacomo Raffaelli. The quality and shape of the shards of this micromosai...
Category
Italian Classical Roman Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Art Glass, Cut Glass
Ovale miniature painted on ivory, England end of XVIII century.
Located in Milan, IT
Oval miniature with brass gilt frame, painted watercolour on ivory, depicting a bust of a woman wearing a cap. England end of XVIII century.
(SHIP TO EU ONLY)
Category
English Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Brass
Dutch Silver Miniature Samovar/Coffee Urn - Antique 1722
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This exceptional, fine and impressive antique 18th century miniature silver samovar/coffee urn has a circular baluster shaped form.
The body of this Dutch silver samovar is plain and unembellished, with an applied border to the upper rim.
This antique silver samovar...
Category
Dutch Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Dutch Silver Miniature Kettle - Antique 1706
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This exceptional, fine and impressive antique 18th century Dutch silver miniature tea kettle has a circular baluster shaped form.
The body of this silver kettle is plain and unembellished, with an applied border to the upper rim.
This antique silver kettle is fitted with a push fit domed cover surmounted with a cast silver baluster shaped finial.
The kettle is fitted with a fine and impressive hinged cast scrolling handle.
This exceptional miniature silver tea kettle features a plain cast silver swan-necked spout.
The hallmarks struck to the underside of this Dutch silver kettle include:
National mark: Crowned shield with three Andrew crosses (Amsterdam, minimum of .875 standard)
Date letter: T (1706)
Maker's mark: Untraced
Such period miniature examples of this substantial gauge of silver and quality are rare to the market.
Maker: Unknown
Condition
This 18th century kettle...
Category
Dutch Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Silver
18th Century Terracotta Statue of a Male Figure
Located in Firenze, IT
Terracotta statue depicting a malefigure. The statue features glass eyes and original dress. The quality of the face and hands is very refined, Naples, 18th century.
Dimensions: 1...
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Terracotta
Georgian 18th Century Elm Table Top Bureau
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Extremely Rare Mid 18th Century, George II Period Elm Table Top, Miniature, Bureau Retaining Exceptional Colour And Patina To Figured Timber Throughout, Having Fall Front Enclosin...
Category
English George II Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Elm
Georgian Miniature Mahogany Chest
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Attractive 18th century Georgian, Mahoghany Miniature chest, having two short and three long drawers with original turned wooden knobs, raised on original shaped bracket feet.
Almost certainly made by an apprentice looking to showcase his skills to a prospective employer at an established cabinet making workshop, this georgian miniature chest of drawers has real charm and character to it.
Normally antique miniature furniture...
Category
English Georgian Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Mahogany
Georgian Oak Miniature Chest of Drawers
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An extremely attractive and very good quality late 18th century, Georgian, oak miniature chest, having well figured rectangular top, over two short and three long drawers retaining original turned wooden knobs, flanked by elegant half turned columns, raised on elegant original shaped bracket feet.
A beautifully charming little piece of 18th century miniature furniture, constructed from rich, warm oak timbers which retain an exceptional colour and patina, it boasts original handles and feet. Almost certainly it was made as a sample piece of furniture originally.
There is regular debate over whether miniature furniture was made as an apprentice piece, which is when a craftsmen who was looking for a job at a workshop would create something to showcase their talents. Or whether it was made as a travelling salesman...
Category
English Georgian Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Oak
18th Century Walnut Miniature Bureau
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very attractive and charming 18th century, George II Period, walnut and oak miniature bureau, having elegant inlaid decoration and original brasswea...
Category
English George II Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Walnut
Late 18th Century Neoclassical Maquette Facade of a Palace
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Extraordinary Late 18th Century Neoclassical Maquette Model of a Palais Facade. Original polychrome, Carved Wood. Private Paris Collection. France Circa 1780.
Category
French Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
Wooden 19th Century Polychrome Sculpture Of A Medieval Tower
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An early 19th century hand carved and painted sculpture of a medieval tower in wood.
Category
Belgian Rococo Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Hardwood
18th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Secretaire or Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
An 18th century French Louis XVI marquetry secretaire, or secretary desk with bookcase. Beautifully made with book matched veneer of mahogany and fine inlay of walnut and mahogany. I...
Category
French Louis XVI Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Brass
Commode Minature Long Walnut Maltese Cross Ebonised Fruitwoo
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
An exceptionally rare, museum quality Maltese, Neoclassical walnut chest of drawers with ebonised & fruitwood inlaid maltese cross on the top and drawer fronts
Maltese furniture of this period is exceptional reflecting the status and affluence of the island.
Given the size of the island relatively little Maltese furniture was made in comparison to Europe & American mainland.
Minature furniture is rare made either as a model or an apprentice's piece so it is extremely rare to find a minature piece from Malta bearing the Maltese cross.
This minature commode is highly original with beautiful proportions, ornamentation and patination.
The 'H' shaped top with a large centered inlaid Maltese Cross and a border of stringing. The breakfront fitted with three drawers each with stringing and inlaid six point stars centrally positioned behind the wooden knobs. The uprights with two continuous vertical bands of stringing ebonised and fruitwood from the top to the bottom of the drawers in walnut to match the front of the chest and then reverting to ebonising and fruitwood down the feet. Terminating in tapering feet. The panelled sides with a repeat of the double banding on the uprights and rectangular borders within the panels. The oak lined drawers with the original 18th century blue paper lining.
Measures: length 27 cm 10 1/2", height 24 cm 9 1/2", depth 20 cm 8".
Maltese Cross:
The Maltese cross is a symbol that is most commonly associated with the Knights of Malta (also known as the Knights Hospitallers...
Category
Maltese Neoclassical Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut
18th Century, Architectural Model of Doric Column
Located in London, GB
An extremely rare, exquisite architectural model of a Doric column
England, third quarter of 18th century.
Why we like it
Exquisitely carved and having accents picked out in gold, this extremely rare survivor from the golden era of Classical architecture in Britain was perhaps intended for an architect's office, or for a study of a gentleman architect, such as Lord Burlington (1694–1753), who was famously known as the "Apollo of the Arts" and the "Architect Earl". Such exquisite and decorative objects were copied from ancient Greek and Roman originals, that aspiring architects could see and draw during their 'Grand Tour' in Italy, Greece, Ottoman Empire and etc.
The only other comparable example of such rare objects that we came across was a set of three columns, previously owned by the late Sir Albert Richardson (1880–1964), architect, historian, writer, artist, teacher and sometime President of the Royal Academy – sold by Christie’s London, 19 September...
Category
English George III Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Antique Friezes in the Shape of a Flower
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Pair of antique friezes in wood in the shape of a flower. They bear traces of lacquering, now erased by time. I just had the centrale part redone, to gi...
Category
Italian Baroque Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Fruitwood
Georgian Miniature Oak Kneehole Desk
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Charming and Relatively rare mid 18th century, Georgian, oak miniature kneehole desk, having seven drawers with original turned brass knobs flanking central cupboard door with geometric inlaid decoration.
Often there is debate over miniature furnitures original purpose. Was it was made as an apprentice piece, which is where somebody who is looking for a job in a workshop would create something to showcase their talents, or was it made as a travelling salesman...
Category
English George III Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Oak
Wooden Hand of an Antique Mannequin, Italy, 18 th Century
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Beautiful sculptured hand of a wooden Mannequin,
Italy late 18 th Century mounted on a wooden stand,
very fine sculptured and good, old Patina of the wood,
very beautiful decorati...
Category
Italian Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Fruitwood
Georgian Mahogany Miniature Chest
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A late 18th century mahogany miniature chest retaining good colour throughout, with rectangular top over four well figured long drawers having...
Category
English Hepplewhite Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Indo-Portuguese Table Cabinet
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Exceptional Indo-Portuguese table cabinet from the 17 th Century,
the rare Cabinet is in a very good condition, has a hinged front and has 8 drawers, b...
Category
Indian Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Rosewood
18th Century Altar Modell, South Germany, with Original Painting, Wood
Located in Epfach, DE
18th century Altar Modell, South Germany, with original painting, wood
A rare altar model with original painting, in the middle Jesus Christus and on the top God the father
and two...
Category
German Louis XVI Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
18th Century Italian Table Top Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
An Italian miniature table top commode chest with exotic inlaid woods.
Circa 1780-1800. Very fine French polish.
Category
Italian Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
Georgian Oak Childs Chest of Drawers
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very attractive George III period oak childs chest having well
Figured and crossbanded top above two short and three long
Drawers flanked by curved corners raised on replaced bracket
Feet
(This charming little childs chest is the perfect size to use as a coffee
table, or to Stand a lamp on and has a large amount of character and
charm. It is a good weight which highlights the solid construction from
high grade oak and is certainly robust. It has various minor old marks,
scuffs and scratches but these all add to the character of the piece.
Children’s furniture...
Category
English Georgian Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Oak
Miniature George III Oak Coffer
Located in Essex, MA
Simple piece with hinged lid opening to a storage compartment over a drawer, bracket feet.
Category
English George III Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Oak
Dutch Rococo Marquetry Miniature Desk
Located in Essex, MA
With curved lid opening to a fitted interior with three drawers below and bracket feet. Beautifully crafted in a bombe form. Much time and skill went into making this piece. Sometime...
Category
Dutch Rococo Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Walnut
Gold and Agate Snuff Box Belonging to Anne, First Duchess of Buccleuch
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
This oval gold snuff box is inscribed with a crest of ‘a stag trippant’ within mantling of upright ostrich plumes tied with a bow, all below a ducal coronet and above a cypher of the entwined initials ‘B.A.B.’ for Anne of Buccleuch. English, circa 1670.
Provenance: Anne, 1st Duchess of Buccleuch
Anne Scott, 1st Duchess of Buccleuch (1651-1732) was a wealthy Scottish peeress. After her father died when she was a few months old, and her sisters by the time she was 10, she inherited the family’s titles. She was married, at 12 years old, to James, 1st Duke of Monmouth, the eldest illegitimate son of Charles II, then 14. Following the king’s death in February 1685, James spearheaded an anti-Catholic revolt to depose the new king, James II, and claim the throne from his uncle. The brief Monmouth Rebellion ended in defeat and James, by then Duke of Monmouth and Buccleuch, was executed for treason. The Duchess had six children by Monmouth, and a further three by her second husband, Charles, 3rd Baron Cornwallis, whom she married in 1688. She died in 1732 and was succeeded by her grandson, Francis, Earl of Dalkeith.
The style of chasing used on this box is very reminiscent of a signed piece in the Gilbert...
Category
English Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Agate, Gold
18th Century miniature bronze gilt cabinet
Located in Delft, NL
18th Century miniature bronze gilt cabinet
18th Century gilt Bronze Miniature, Gold Sewing tools Cabinet
A 18th Century bronze gilded miniature cabinet, sewing cabinet with painted ...
Category
European Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Bronze, Gold
Georgian Yew Wood Miniature Chest of Drawers
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A charming and rare 18th century Georgian yew
wood miniature chest having four long drawers
with original brass knobs raised on original
shaped bracket feet.
(There is often debate as to whether miniature furniture was
made as an apprentice piece, which is when a craftsmen who
is looking for a job at a workshop would create something to
showcase their talents, or whether it was made as a travelling
salesman's sample piece, which is when a few articles were
made as scale models in advance of a road trip during which a
salesman would travel the country showing prospective clients
the kind of items they could produce back at the workshop and
take orders from. This particular example doesn't really appear
to quite fit either of those briefs however and may well have just
been made as an individual, one off piece in a provincial workshop.
One of the reasons for this is the construction from solid yewwood
which is a rarely used material in items any larger than this as the
trunks generally don't grow large enough. The overall quality is
excellent and clearly somebody has spent many, many hours
producing this wonderful piece. A really quite charming piece of
antique miniature furniture...
Category
English Georgian Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Yew
Diorama Showing Ten Gun Royal Navy Vessel "Entreprenante"
Located in Norwell, MA
Clear water diorama showing the Ten Gun Royal Navy Cutter, Entreprenante Circa 1790. The model is built to a scale of one sixteenth inch equals one foot. The vessel appears to be sai...
Category
English Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
18th / Early 19th Century Miniature Painting
Located in Delft, NL
An 18th / early 19th century miniature painting
An 18th / early 19th century miniature painting painted on glass and framed.
The copper framed miniature painting in another copp...
Category
European Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Copper
2 Iron-Red and Gilt Chinese Miniature Porcelain Vases, Kangxi
Located in Delft, NL
2 iron-red and gilt Chinese miniature porcelain Vases, Kangxi
Kangxi (1662-1722)
The bottles has minuscule chips
The measurements are 4 cm high and 2.7 cm diagonal
The weight i...
Category
Chinese Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Porcelain
Lead Pidgin, 18th Century Swedish
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare lead pidgin that was used as a counterweight when hanging chandeliers. The pidgin was above the chandelier or lantern towards the roof. When candles were to be changed you pul...
Category
Swedish Gustavian Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Lead
Small Box Alp, folk art , Trunk
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Small box alp, folk art , trunk.
Category
European Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
Fine American 18th Century Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fine American 18th century portrait miniature of a gentleman, of a distinguished gentleman in a blue coat, with white silk scarf, measures 2" wide x 2.5" high. Framed in a later (19th Century) elaborate carved giltwood oval frame...
Category
American American Classical Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Glass, Giltwood
2 Baroque 18th Century Carved Polychrome Decorated Wooden Continental Figurines
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of 18th century carved wooden figurines
Likely Central European originating somewhere in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or Northern Italy.
Both figurines depict a gallant gentleman in period dress holding a basket replete with fruit or flowers.
Each is mounted on an integral wooden base with a rocaille base.
These figures are rare and are a fine addition to any period room...
Category
European Baroque Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Wooden and Paper Model of York Minster
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century wooden and paper model of York Minster. Housed within its original mahogany and glass case on stand, English, circa 1835.
Category
British Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Rare Anthropological Diorama of Carib Indigenous by Hendrik Schouten
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Hendrik Samuel Schouten (1785-1840)
A unique diorama depicting Carib Indigenous at the river side
Wood, paint on paper, twigs and dried moss
Measures: H. 51 x W. 69.5 x D. 20 cm
Note:
This is the only known diorama by Hendrik Schouten. He became a planter and inherited the Jagtlust plantation from his grandfather Samuel Loske. His older brother Gerrit Schouten...
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Twig, Wood, Giltwood, Paint, Paper
Rare 18th century Micromosaic Plate
Located in Paris, FR
Rare micromosaic plaque depicting an idyllic Roman landscape. The main subject of this micromosaic is the representation of buildings surrounded by cypresses and trees. Two figures i...
Category
French Greco Roman Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Cut Glass
Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Miniature Tripod Table
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A superb quality 18th century mahogany George II
Period miniature table having well figured circular
Tilting top over vase turned central stem with
Elegant bold tripod legs terminating on
Pointed pad feet
(Almost certainly made as a travelling salesman...
Category
English George II Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Mahogany
Louis XIII Walnut Miniature Armchair
Located in Essex, MA
With fine needlepoint upholstery and a nicely carved frame.
Category
French Louis XIII Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Walnut
Palladian Georgian Architectural Cabinet
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rare early 18th century walnut Palladian diminutive cabinet of architectural form having a pedimented top over pair of pilasters flanking a single a...
Category
European Palladian Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Louis XVI Serinette in the Form of a Miniature Commode by Richard, Paris, 1775
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A very rare Louis XVI period serinette or bird organ in the form of a transitional style gilt bronze mounted and marquetry inlaid miniature commode in the manner of gilbert, by Robert Richard, Paris.
With a label for ' RICHARD - maitre facteur d’orgues et mécanicien / Rue de richelieu à la bibliothèque Du Roy / Paris 1775'.
This rare Serinette or Bird Organ has a wooden cylinder barrel mounted by twelve pins and linked to twelve sound pipes. A crank attached to the front panel controls the bellows that activates the mechanism.
The exceptional marquetry inlaid case is in the form of a gilt bronze mounted transitional style miniature commode. The top of the commode is inlaid with a landscape scene with buildings, opening to an interior with an allegory of Love Conquering All, represented by two doves perching on a bow and quiver. The front of the commode depicts two obelisks centred by a Fine musical trophy and each side is inlaid with panels depicting the Medici Vase. The back of the commode is decorated with floral marquetry.
A closely related Serinette dating from circa 1770, also in the form of a miniature commode, with the marquetry case stamped by the master marqueteur Leonard Boudin, is in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.
The term serinette is derived from serine, French for finch. The instrument worked like a small barrel organ with a barbed cylinder, wind box and lead pipes and produced a high, thin sound in imitation of birds. Other versions included a merline, which copied blackbirds and a turlutaine, which copied curlews. Used to teach caged birds to sing tunes, different barrels could be inserted to train different birds. It first appeared in France circa 1730 and became a popular drawing-room toy for fashionable women. An interesting painting commissioned in 1751 for Louis XV by Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin and now in the collection of the Louvre, depicts a refined lady seated in her salon playing a bird organ to encourage her bird to sing.
Robert Richard
Robert Richard was a Parisian organ and harpsichord maker and the mécanicien du roi to Louis XV and Louis XVI and was based in the Bibliothèque du Roi in rue de Richelieu.
Initially working alongside the Cliquot family who acted as 'facteur d'orgue du Roi', he is recorded as building an organ for the church of Notre-Dame de Quebec, in Montreal in 1753 (destroyed in 1759) and as the inventor of a mechanical concert shown in an engraving by d'Eisen in 1769.
Canon Jean Marie De La Corne described Robert Richard as : ''Le plus habile ouvrier de paris, fameux mechanitien et Homme de probité''.
French, Dated 1775.
Literature:
Pierre Kjellberg, The French Furniture of the 17th century, The Editions of the Amateur, 2008
Count Francois de Salverte, Cabinetmakers of the 18th century, Editions of Art and History, 1934
Raymond Russell, Victoria and Albert Museum Catalogue of Musical Instruments, Volume I - Keyboard Instruments,(London, 1968; p. 69.)
Elizabeth Miller...
Category
French Louis XVI Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
Lignum Vitae Treen Vices Pair of Minature Tree of Life
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
- Collector's specimens
- Lignum vitae is sought after for the beauty of its grain, coloring, patina, density and toughness
Translated from Latin, vignum vitae means “wood of lif...
Category
English George II Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
Chinese Ming Dynasty Period Green Glazed Miniature Armoire with Bracket Feet
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty period miniature terracotta armoire with green glazed finish and bracket feet. Created in China during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), this miniature terracott...
Category
Chinese Ming Antique 18th Century and Earlier Models and Miniatures
Materials
Terracotta
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