French Collectibles and Curiosities

Visages de la danse indienne. Introduction par Tara Michaël. Mazeran, Alain: Theater, music and dance constituted in ancient India the different aspect...

A French brass fabric scale from the 19th century with wooden base, signed Robert A Vienne. Created in France during the 19th century, this fabric scale, made of brass, is mounted on...

This miniature cast bronze architectural desk thermometer sculpture of a European monument dates to the 19th century to commemorate one of the Grand T...

Antique portolano, nautical map of Port St. Antoine engraved on a copper plate by Antoine Roux, Marseille, France, 1844, from his work Recueil des principaux plans des ports et de Ra...

Cartier folio of photos and floral jewelry designs with 2 original CD's 2005. With 9 loose, large format 16" H x 11" W photos. Accompanied by a breath...

Mobilier Savoyard et Dauphinois by Lucile Olivier. Paris: Èditions Ch. Massin, 1976, French text. First edition hardcover with dust jacket. 80 pp. The book illustrates the beds, seat...

This beautiful hand-colored road map of Paris was published in 1841. The map shows Paris and the surrounding area in a folding pocket map. Organized and detailed for travelers, this ...

Antique portolano, nautical map of Isle De Poro engraved on a copper plate by Antoine Roux, Marseille France 1844, from his work Recueil des principaux plans des ports et de Rades de...

Antique French miniature cabinet with the best patina ever. This beautifully designed and all handcrafted French masterpiece is an absolute joy to own and look at. The stunning and ...

A gilt bronze box or podier by French Jeweler Line Vautrin, in the pattern of "Moise ou la traversee du desert" coric 1940s-1950s. A rare mode in the box, the top surface of the cover illustrates the biblical story of Moses crossing the desert out of Egypt...

Rocking Horse in Painted Wood Keywords: children's accessories, rustic, French country

Stunning pastel portrait representing a young Noble woman wearing a pink silk dress and blue floral corsage. Period gold gilt wooden frame with glass. It is signed *see second image,...

Charles X dance card in mother of pearl and ormolu, embellished with flowers and flowery interlacing. It is engraved with “Souvenir” and decorated with deli...

Midcentury drawings depicting religious biblical events. These interesting pieces of are all titled, signed and dated. Sold with professional g...

Very well drawn piece of art signed Leonce Pelletier, dated 1932. This subtle work depicts the very well known fish market in Nice, France most likely located in or near the Cours S...

This antique ladies dresser set has no maker's marks but presumed to have been made in approximately 1900 in the 'Louis XVI' style. This seven piece...

This 19th century briar wood pipe head takes the form of a horses head. The whole sculpture is finely detailed and it has a great expression.

Portrait of the Duc D'Aumale transatlantic, made with a mixed technique of wash drawing and pastel, signed by A. Jeancolas November 1914. Coeval frame. Very good condition. Measures:...

'Duchesse de Richmond' French Limoges enamel portrait plaque French 19th century Height 22cm, width 16cm, depth 2cm This exquisite Limoges enamel plaque is based on a painting of the Duchess of Richmond by the 17th century French artist, Henri Gascar...

Antique portolano, nautical map of Port De Chichimé Natolie engraved on a copper plate by Antoine Roux, Marseille France 1844, from his work Recueil des principaux plans des ports et...

Mobilier Vendeen Aunis Saintonge by Lucile Olivier. Paris: Èditions Ch. Massin. French text. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. 80 pp. The book illustrates the beds, seating, tables,...

Hand coloured early 19th century map by Giraldon of France titled "Etats Unis et Grandes Antilles" (United States and Greater Antilles).

Christie's: 22 Juin 2005-Collection d'un Grand Amateur Européen. First Edition softcover 175 pp., with 3 fold outs, 177 lots all photographed in color and fully described, with resul...

Antique portolano, nautical map of Plan du Port de Cherfe engraved on a copper plate by Antoine Roux, Marseille France 1844, from his work Recueil des principaux plans des ports et d...

This elegant ladies purse was handwoven in France, circa 1860. The small, antique purse is handmade using colorful Aubusson tapestry. The tapestry features two different scenes. On o...

Antique portolano, nautical map of Golfe De St. Drely engraved on a copper plate by Antoine Roux, Marseille France 1844, from his work Recueil des principaux plans des ports et de Ra...

Wonderful design, great table prop/decor. Signed on top side, Daum, then the Cross of Lorraine symbol, and Nancy and also Signed on the bottom; Daum Nancy France.

Attributed to Henry Dasson (d. 1896) Origin: French Date: circa 1885-q890 Dimension: (H) 35 1/4 in x (W) 54 in x (W) 78 in. Provenance: Acquired by Dr. J. T Nieto-Gomez from fi...

Christie's Important Mobilier et Objets d’Art, Orfèvrerie, Ceramiques Européennes, Arts d’Asie, Juin 2003. Christie's Paris, 2003. 1st Ed softcover with results. This sale also inclu...

Mobillier de Haute Normandie by Édith Mannoni. Paris: Èditions Ch. Massin. French text. First Editon hardcover with dust jacket. 93 pp. The book illustrat...

This silver hallmarked Art Deco cigarette case is in black enamel with red and green geometrical typical design from the Art Deco period.   

These exquisite portrait plaques were made in the French town of Limoges, which is renowned for the fine quality of its enamel wares. The panels have been painted with oval, half-length portraits of British Tudor monarchs...

Rare 19th century bisq sculpture of Saint Vincent. Sculptures of Saint Vincent de Paul are very hard to find anywhere in the world and for us to have ...

A 19th century oil painting with original silver frame. Most probably representing the big river Garonne in Toulouse, France. Garonne was famous for its intense traffic of steamboat...

Door lock, large decoration, 19th century, with key Measures: H 17 cm, W 11 cm, P 3 cm.

French Modernist Art Deco piano and bench by Pierre-Paul Montagnac, a variant of the model used in one of the luxe apartments, the Caen, on the great French oceanliner Normandie in 1935. Created in rosewood and sycamore, and carefully and correctly restored, including the fine Erard (#127208) instrument. 56” wide x 60” deep. Documented in numerous sources, including the July 1935 issue of Art et Decoration. Pierre-Paul Montagnac (1883-1961) Born in Saint-Denis, France on 9 May 1883, Pierre-Paul Montagnac was equally talented as a fine artist and a decorative artist. He was educated in both disciplines, studying with Eugene Carriére as well as at the Académie de la Grande Chaumiére, both in Paris. His inaugural exhibition was at the 1912 Salons – and at the 1920 Salon d’Automne he received a traveling scholarship. In 1918 he began working in the firm of André Mare and from 1922 collaborated with Maurice Dufrene at La Maîtrise, the famous design studio of Galeries Lafayette. From 1921 he exhibited at the Salons of la Société des Artistes Décorateurs, Salon des Architectes Modernes, and internationally, in Barcelona and Leipzig. He designed suites on the grand French oceanliners, l’Atlantique, Normandie and Pasteur. At the 1925 Paris International Exposition his work was in a standout class. At the 1937 Exhibition he organized the pavillion of the Artistes Decorateurs and personally won a Grand Prix. For the New York Exhibition in 1938, he was a member of the international jury, organized the group of Decorators, and, as architect, organized the exhibitions of jewelry and perfumes. He became a member of the Society of Modern Architects and executed important and numerous architecture and decorating projects including the luxury apartments on the great French oceanliners l’Atlantique, Pasteur, and Normandie. Vice President and then President of the Societe des Artistes Decorateurs from 1930-1938, he was also President of the Salon d’Automne and Vice President of the Committee of the Exhibition of Arts and Embellishments of Life; member of the steering committee of C.T.I. and Artistic Property, member of the Board of Directors of the Central Union of Decorative Arts. He was also an Officer of the Legion of Honor and received the Cross of War. MONTAGNAC was the son of an engineer and he had a taste for geometry and science that predisposed him to the rigors of architectural laws. Multi-talented, he worked independently as a painter – who had paintings acquired by the French government – while also working in the related fields of architecture and decoration. His work included homes, apartments, galleries, luxury shops, banks and the aforesaid oceanliners. As a designer/decorater, Montagnac had the taste for quality, luxurious furniture, using precious woods, bronze extensions, ivory inlays, mother-of-pearl, metal and coral. He advocated for a resolutely modern style and, free of all pastiches, focused on beautiful cabinetry, the challenges of furniture design, particularly from 1940 to 1945, captured all his attention. The tireless activity of Montagnac, whose varied works are represented in official museums and residences, was also recognized from a professional and social point of view. He was a remarkable organizer, devoted to the cause of art, to the defense of the trade and his colleagues. It was Montagnac who, in 1939, with Anatole de Monzie, took the initiative to found the ENTRAIDE to Artists (which provides support to talented young French artists). MOBILIER ET DECORATION, September/October 1953 ERARD An illustrious piano manufacturer, Sebastien Erard began building superior harpsichords in Paris in the mid-1700s, produced pianos for the French Court, and received a multitude of patents, many of which are still in use in piano manufacturing. Erard pianos were marketed as the finest pianos in the world and were owned by Queen Victoria, Franz Liszt, Chopin, Verdi, Ravel, and Felix Mendelssohn among many others. They continued to enjoy international success well into the 20th century. They were known for their unique sound quality, similar to the American square grand piano...

Early 19th Century silver plated putti on a modern star shaped Lucite base.

Very rare and beautiful life-size French Siegel plaster mannequin from the 1930s. His has blue glass eyes. The arms are articulated. The hands and the head are removable. His paint...

Very elegant shop display of a bottle of Champagne, Ruinart.

PRESENTING A LOVELY late 19C Bronze Sculpture of Napoleon Crossing the Alps. 19th Century Bronze of Napoleon on Horseback in Battle, with c...

The leg of a wooden mannequin with a man's button-up shoe from the Victorian Era mounted on a metal base. The five button shoe is of finely stitched black...

Lovely putto sculpture in typical Baroque Style. This beautiful and chubby putto sculpture was probably part of a larger Church ornament/sculpture or ...

The designer of these amazing vintage French lucite modernist chess players from the 1970s are by Renee Dumas who is related to the Hermes family. They a...

This mid-1800s child is a “mix” between an early articulated artist model and a lay figure mannequin. It must have been made by special request be...

Louis XVI carved giltwood and painted mercury wheel barometer. Eight inch circular painted wood register dial with central rosette within the scale calibrated from 27-28-29 and ...

18th century carved bone walking stick head on ebony base The head is highly engraved with acanthus leaves, head of a lion and an angel and with ...

The Venodi 043 is a bespoke road bike built with a vintage light aluminum Cervelo frame and upcycled with our studio's artisan know-hows, new components, and quality materials. All ...

Rare, one of a kind. This unique Art Nouveau bronze inkwell, signed by Cuzin, circa 1918 representing USA President Tommy Wilson (28th USA President from 1913-1921). This i...

A beautiful antique knife sharpener from the 19th century, comes from France, from a mansion near to Paris. A real unique item.

Stunning and amazingly sculptural Gothic Art chandelier. If you are an antique collector with an eye for the extra special then this four light bronze chandelier could be right up y...

A fine Venus de Milo bronze after Sauvage. In an diminutive size that is perfect for the desk, mantel or vitrine. Simply a wonderful little...

Mobilier Louis XVI by Monica Burckhardt. Editions Charles Massin, Paris, 1976. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. 80p of interior full color photos of period antique furniture of the...

One of the most amazing timepieces we have ever acquired that offers far more than meets the eye, this incredible work of art blends the beauty of a painting with the mechanical complexities of both a cylinder music box and an automaton. While it is clear to see the integrated clock residing within the arched giltwood and gesso frame, when activated, this painting quite literally comes alive. As the cylinder mechanism within plays its lovely tune, every character in the farrier's shop becomes animated – from the group of farrier's toiling away at the forge and anvil forming the horseshoes, to the wagging of the charming terrier's tale. This musical automaton picture clock is attributed to Xavier Tharin of Paris who was the preeminent creator of this fantastical "moving pictures", especially this particular farrier scene. His process mixed oil painting and hand-colored lithograph images that were layered starting from the back, middle and foreground to craft the complex series of movements throughout the painting. A look inside this particular work reveals the complex mechanism (with the three gongs, pendulum and cylinder components immediately visible) which must run the timepiece, the cylinder musical component plus the multitude of moving elements in the painting...a truly incredible feat considering the technical prowess to create just one of these devices. Musical picture clocks...

20th century brass enamel chain and monogrammed black cloth regalia was worn by the Knights Templar of the Masonic fraternity for ceremonial meetings. Offered with a pewter and glass...

Meubles Usuels: Louis XVI by Jacques Mottheau. Libraire Centrale Des Beaux-arts, Paris, France. 36 B&W plates all printed on one sided heavy stock. On...

Siegel Paris, small mannequin in composite material on its metal base, original wig, circa 1950-1960.

A delightful later 19th century toy horse constructed from painted metal. A charming accent piece for any living area.

A beautifully engraved gilded and silvered copper religious memorial easel with Madonna & Child. It was made by F. Biscay & Cie of Paris, France. It features an easel back leg for st...