18th Century and Earlier Collectibles and Curiosities

Indian 18th century Islamic bronze flag Indian, 18th century Measures: Height 54cm, width 20cm, depth 16cm This bronze flag, or alam, was produced ...

Substantial antique Italian bronze mortar and pestle, finely cast with shell and floral band, complete with 12" x 1.5" D pestle. The base of t...

Rare bronze Hanukkah lamp Menorah, Italy, circa 1750. On round decorated base with baluster shape stem. The upper portion constructed with eight semicircle arms support eight oil...

Bronze in its color and gold, lapis lazuli, rock crystal, enamel. In the centre of the work is presented, enthroned, the figure of Mary, with a mantel (fireplace) on her shoulders and hair and holding on her knees the child, who appears addressing one of the angels. The virgin is also sheltered by an ogee arch supported on turned columns, and raised visually by steps. This composition achieves a very striking contrast: the dark bronze figure, in contrast to the lapis lazuli background and the part of the arch and the outside of it, in gilded bronze. Under the steps there is a heraldic enamel shield with a key on an azure background. The angels, kneeling, are flanking this figure, and, appearing in dark bronze, visually share the "category" of religious figures with Mary, while their (lower) position gives more status to both the Mother and Jesus. The rest of the composition is completed with a delicate landscape: constructions and walls on mountains, clouds in the sky, plants, stones, etc. To the outside, another lapis lazuli frame is placed decorated in the corners with appliques, giving way to carved and polychrome wood. The lapis lazuli is a semiprecious stone already known in the seventh millennium BC., found in deposits from the Caucasus to Mauritania. From the end of the middle ages, it increased its export to Europe, its use being more frequent since then both to use it as a pigment in paintings after grinding it (giving rise to the finest and most expensive of the blues, and of the colors in many occasions), as for backgrounds of paintings, incrustations in works of art, jewelry and, a little later, in the well-known "hard stone works". The figure of Mary still shows an influence of Gothic models, although more European than Italian, along with elements that could already show a closeness to the Renaissance: although the nakedness of Jesus is already shown in Gothic works (Madonna with Angels by Fra Angelico ), the creation of space by playing with the cloth in front of Christ can be appreciated in more advanced paintings (Virgin with Child by Domenico Ghirlandaio, National Gallery of London); the presence of a powerful throne can be seen frequently in Italian Madonnas of the Quattrocento (and before), but not quite as presented here. As for the landscape, it is necessary to compare it, for example, with that of the fresco of the Condotiero Guidoriccio de Fogliano (Simone Martini, finished in 1328). This is a work of great technical and aesthetic quality, not to mention the materials chosen for its creation, comparable only to outstanding examples from around the world, such as those preserved in the Palazzo Madama in Torino (Italy), where the coral It also has an important role. It is essential to mention, also, works such as the plate of hard stones (lapis lazuli between them) with a relief of Mary with the Child in...

Antique baroque church liturgical vessel, open Ciborium, sanctuary lamp, Aspersoria. Late 18th century Italian Baroque open Ciborium, Sanctuary lamp ...

Saint Nicholas devotional medal on support. Gilded bronze, textile, metal, 18th century. Golden bronze devotional medal placed on a support by wires that has an oval frame enhanced ...

Decorative and tactile, late 18th century mortar set. Mortars have been used for centuries by private people and by people in certain trades. In the kitche...

Devotional pendant or reliquary. Oil painting on aventurine, enamel, gold. Spain, 17th century. Medallion or devotional pendant or reliquary made of aventurine or aventurine with an octagonal shape and faceted fronts, enhanced with a series of enamels combining black and gold, which protect two oil paintings with a Catholic Christian religious theme, located one on each side of the piece. Protected, you can see a very particular Virgin with Child for being inspired by the Icon of the Madonna del Popolo (Rome, Italy), and a simplified Martyrdom of San Lorenzo (the saint, the grill and an angel with a crown and the palm corresponding to the subject). The edges of the piece have been protected with simple metal elements. The painting of San Lorenzo follows a common composition in the Spanish school, and would recall works such as the painting of the main altar of the Church of San Lorenzo de Huesca, for example, but also others such as the engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi (executed around 1527) in some details. The so-called icon of the Madonna del Popolo was well known for being considered as made by Saint Luke, and was brought to the church of the same denomination by Gregory IX from the Sancta Sanctorum of the Lateran Palace after a flood caused a terrible plague in the city and through a solemn procession with the image of Santa Maria del Popolo. Regarding the material of the piece, a certain type of glass and a type of quartz (which can be green or reddish-brown, and usually has tiny elements of yellow mica that give it golden reflections) is known as aventurine or aventurine. In the first case, it is known that “aventurine” or “stellaria” appears mentioned in the Murano workshops for the first time during the first quarter of the 17th century, in reference to a very complicated production paste (it is said that the name comes from of this circumstance, that is, that its creation was due to luck or luck) that imitates the effects of that stone (from India and Russia at that time) thanks to the inclusion of copper particles, and that it was used as if out of stone (cut) given the complexity of its use in blowing (practically impossible). And, dealing with this material, it is necessary to mention “The Nativity” by Pietro da Cortona, dated around 1656, which is kept in the El Prado...

A large and unusual Himalayan bronze and mixed metal nine prong vajra featuring wrathful faces. In the style of the Tangut (Western Xia) Kingdom (1038 to 1227), but probably later, most likely 15th-16th century. The body of the vajra crafted from a copper alloy, with five wrathful faces on either side and gold and silver inlays to the center. The prongs crafted of iron, with each side having eight prongs arcing outwards around a central prong before coming back to a copper alloy point. The vajra is meditational tool...

SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). The backplate pierced with a vase ...

SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Portrait of a lady, possibly Archduchess Maria Carolina of Austria, Queen of Naples...

Oriental Saber, called Shamshir Ottoman Empire, late 18th century Handle in horn, steel mounted, Damascus blade, scabbard garnished of black leath...

Italian holy water stoup. Second half of the 17th century.

Dating from the late 17th century and done in the Federalist style, this finely detailed and well executed hand painted miniature portrait on bone of a period nobleman can be worn as...

Shamshir Saber Turquey Made of 18-karat gold. Handle garnished of blond horn, All part made of gold. In the middle of the guard, a star inlaid of ruby and diamonds. Dimensions Wh...

A lovely multicolored drop pendant for necklace made from Roman glass (400 AD-500 AD) set within a custom 21-karat gold pendant with gold bead accents and 21-ka...

A spectacular large Nepalese stupa, of cast and repousse gilt bronze or copper alloy, 16th/17th century, Nepal. The magnificent stupa of traditional form, featuring a stylized lotus base supporting a large dome. A square structure, called a harmika, sits upon the dome. Each side of the harmika featuring engraved Buddha Eyes, also called Wisdom Eyes. Torana rise above each of the four sides. A tall spire, known as a yasti, rises from the squareharmika. Attached to the yasti are a set of thirteen graduated discs, known as chatras, giving the spire a tapered form. The chatras represent Bhumi, or the foundations that support the path to enlightenment. The spire is topped by another stylized lotus platform with a rising square pillar topped...

Scandinavian mid-17th century bronze iron, dated 1646.