19th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Antique map titled 'Sumatra, Java'. A delicately presented and detailed pair of maps of the two islands. The plate appeared in the part-work "Dispatch Atlas" issued in supplements an...

Antique map Australia titled 'Süd-Ost Australien'. Detailed map of South East Australia. Orginates from 'Stieler's Hand Atlas', published in Germ...

Antique map Africa titled 'Carte de la Haute et de la Basse Guinée'. Map of the Coast of Guinea, Africa. Represents modern day Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea...

English apothecary cabinet dated to the first half of the nineteenth century, mahogany box, brass handle and hinges and complete with key. The cabinet with a rectangular base is form...

This is an antique lithography map of Huntingdonshire. An English, framed atlas engraving of cartographic interest, dating to the mid 19th century and later. Superb lithography of ...

Pair of 12-inch table globes William Harris London, 1832 and 1835 Slight abrasions from use; few cracks lb 11 each (kg 5) The two terrestrial and celestial globes rest in their original Dutch style stands with four supporting turned wood columns. Each one measures 12 in in height x 16.5 in in diameter with the diameter of the spheres measuring approximately 12 in; 48 cm in height x 42 cm in diameter x 31 cm diameter of the spheres. The 12 inch measure was the most frequently used by British manufacturers of globes of this period. Each globe is composed of two series of twelve printed paper gores, aligned and glued onto plaster spheres. The brass circle of the meridian bears engravings...

Miniature "Iron Maiden" in blackened cast metal attached to its original round wood base. The front doors are pin-hinged and open to reveal pointed spikes. At base of doors is printe...

A Napoleon III sword in gilt brass. Handle is decorated with 2 mother of pearl plates. Urn shaped pommel. Knuckle guard transitioning into cross guard. Guard plate with eagle. Black ...

Stunning and perfect running Gothic architectural design bronze wall clock, from circa 1880. If you like rare antiques in general and one of a kind clocks in particular then this handcrafted specimen for wall mounting could be the perfect addition to your collection or Gothic (inspired) interior. This fine quality antique...

Fine quality hand made craftsmanship to this 19th century Victorian walking stick; hand carved of premium hardwood (possibly pecan), with a continuous twist design. The top is decora...

Mannequin Sculpted and carved wood Italy or France, second half of the 19th century. It measures 25.59 x 6.29 x 3.54 in (65.5 x 16 x 9 cm) It weighs 2.2 lb circa (1 kg circa) St...

Antique Rowing Oar, 1899 Balliol College Oxford, Head of the River. The full-length oar is an original traditional presentation rowing oar with gilt calligraphy and Balliol college insignias. The rowing blade...

A very nice early 20th century Austrian jewelers metal anvil. Perfect as a paper weight, gift for a jewelry collector or of course, as a tool. Nice older addition to any collection....

Exquisite 19th-century rosary cross from Jerusalem, crafted from olive wood and adorned with engraved mother-of-pearl plaques. The cross and beads are mad...

Traveler's pocket compass, Victorian-era turned brass, late 19th century England, rose on sixteen-twenty copperplate engraving paper complete with goniometric circle. Conservation s...

Antique map Turkish Emprie titled 'Turquie d'Asie et Perse'. Beautiful map depicting the Turkish Empire and Persia. With vignette depicting Damascus. This map originates from 'Nouvel...

Antique map titled 'France Féodale'. Old map of France with a decorative vignette of Castle de Pierrefonds. This map originates from 'Géographie Universelle Atlas-Migeon' by J. Migeo...

Antique map titled 'Carte de l'Europe'. Two maps of Europe. The upper map depicts Europe in the year 800, the lower map depicts Europe in 1500. This map originates from 'Atlas univer...

Antique Swiss 8 Tune Cylinder Music Box Unsigned C1890 4 3/4" x 14 1/4" x 7 1/8". This antique Swiss music box from circa 1890 features a beautifully crafted wooden case with a subt...

This is a very good quality and complete English handmade hardwood "Weighted" Club Chess Set game of 32 pieces, in the Staunton Fierce Knight pattern, all within a jointed wood box ...

This is a beautiful antique English silver plated pommel walking stick, circa 1880 in date. The striking stick features an ornate silver plated ornate tree trunk pommel having on a...

A Very Fine German 19th Century Louis XVI Style Burr Walnut Bechstein Concert Grand Piano, Serial No. 5655. The beautifully crafted Grand piano, raised on three tapered barrel shaped legs, with an intricately carved ornate music desk and original keys. Circa: 1872. Length: 80 inches (203.2 cm) Width: 59 inches: (149.9 cm) Height (top closed): 38 5/8 inches (98.1 cm) C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik AG (also known as Bechstein) is a German manufacturer of pianos, established in 1853 by Carl Bechstein. Before Bechstein Young Carl Bechstein studied and worked in France and England as a piano craftsman, before he became an independent piano maker. His first pianos were made for other companies. C. Bechstein C. Bechstein piano factory was founded on 1 October 1853 by Carl Bechstein in Berlin, Germany. Carl Bechstein set out to manufacture a piano able to withstand the great demands imposed on the instrument by the virtuosi of the time, such as Franz Liszt. In 1857, Hans von Bülow (Liszt's son-in-law) gave the first public performance on a Bechstein grand piano by performing Liszt's Piano Sonata in B minor in Berlin By 1870, with endorsements from Franz Liszt and Hans von Bülow, Bechstein pianos had become a staple in many concert halls and private mansions. By that time three piano makers, all of which were founded in 1853, became established as the industry leaders across the world: Bechstein, Blüthner and Steinway & Sons. In 1881 Bechstein began supplying pianos to Queen Victoria. A gilded art-case piano was delivered to Buckingham Palace, followed by several more Bechstein pianos to Windsor Castle and other royal residences. By January 1886 they were among the piano manufacturers holding a Royal Warrant as a supplier to the Queen. Several British embassies across the world acquired Bechstein pianos. In 1885, Bechstein opened a branch in London, that eventually grew to become the largest showroom and dealership in Europe. By 1890 showrooms had been opened in Paris, Vienna, and Saint Petersburg. On 31 May 1901, Bechstein Hall, built at a cost of £100,000, was opened next to the company's London showroom at 36-40 Wigmore Street. Between 1901 and 1914, C. Bechstein was the largest piano dealership in London. At that time, Bechstein was patronized by the tsars of Russia, the royal families of Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Austria and Denmark, and other royalty and aristocracy. The list of royal clients of Bechstein may be found on the soundboard of vintage Bechstein pianos made before the Second World War. The list is part of the original Bechstein trademark logo; it can be seen under the strings in the center of a piano's soundboard. The signature of Carl Bechstein The years from the 1870s through 1914 brought Bechstein their most dramatic increase in sales. In 1880 a second Bechstein factory was opened in Berlin, and the third factory was opened in 1897 in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Production reached 3,700 pianos annually in 1900, and 4,600 in 1910, making Bechstein the largest German manufacturer of high-end pianos. At that time, about three quarters of production went to international markets, especially Britain and the Commonwealth, and Russia. Carl Bechstein died in 1900, and the Bechstein company continued to operate under the management of his sons. Between 1900 and 1914 C. Bechstein was one of the leading piano makers in the world, employing 1,200 craftsmen and workers by 1913 and making five thousand pianos per year. First World War C. Bechstein suffered huge property losses in London, Paris, and St. Petersburg during World War I. The largest loss was in London. Although the company's position in the United Kingdom was initially unaffected, with the company still listed as holding a Royal Warrant in January 1915, Warrants to both King George V, and his wife Queen Mary were cancelled on 13 April 1915. Bechstein was not the only musical concern to be affected by growing anti-German sentiment: there were earlier attempts, led by William Boosey, to boycott German music altogether. In 1915, despite being a Baronet and Privy Counsellor, Sir Edgar Speyer, who was then funding the Proms, was forced to leave the country. Following the passing of the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act 1916 the British arm of the company was wound-up on 5 June 1916, all Bechstein property, including the concert hall and showrooms full of pianos, were seized as "enemy property" and closed. In 1916 the hall was sold as alien property at auction to Debenhams for £56,500. It was renamed Wigmore Hall, and then re-opened under the new name in 1917. All 137 Bechstein pianos at the Bechstein showrooms were confiscated too, and became property of the new owner of the Hall. After a dispute with his brother, Edwin Bechstein left the company and was paid off. Eventually the Bechstein factory resumed full-scale production during the 1920s. At that time, technical innovations and inventions of new materials and tools, as well as improvements in piano design and construction, had allowed Bechstein to become one of the leading piano makers again. The most successful models were the updated "A"-185 and "B"-208 grand pianos. The upright pianos became more popular after the war, and C. Bechstein were successful with its upright pianos Model-8 and Model-9, both of which have been considered the finest upright pianos. As the company was changed into a joint-stock company 1923, Edwin Bechstein and his wife Helene, bought themselves back into the company as shareholders. In 1930 the company collaborated with German electrical goods manufacturer Siemens under Nobel laureate Walther Nernst to produce one of the first electric pianos...

Impressive handmade large and powerfully cast Japanese tripod bronze censer of the 19th century, made during the Meiji period and with mythical animals...

This is an antique French domino game in a wooden box Mid to late 1800s All complete with 28 dominoes The dominoes have a bone front, ebony backings and brass tacks The dominoes a...

A monumental antique Victorian Gothic Revival carved oak church altar / synagogue lectern / book stand podium. Hand-crafted in the 19th century, having a sloped book-rest to the top...

John and William Cary Updated by George and John Cary Terrestrial Globe London, 1840 lb 22 (kg 10) Slight surface abrasions due to use. A small crack on the horizon circle. The globe rests in its original Dutch style stand with four supporting turned wood columns. It measures 26 in in height x 23.6 in in diameter with the diameter of the sphere measuring 18 in; 66 cm in height x 60 cm in diameter with the diameter of the sphere measuring 45.72 cm. The 18 inch...

Charming jewelry box or case. The box has a compartment for rings and 3 compartments for earrings, necklaces, bracelets, stones. Very interesting opening mechanism with pusher syst...

An early 19th century brass surveyor's level with telescope, compass and spirit level. With original brass mounted pine case. Telescope length: 18 1/4 inches. - 46.5 cm. Fitting for tripod mount, now re-mounted on a modern brass plate for desk top display.

18th-Century Dutch Garden Design by Gijsbert van Laar – Magazijn van tuin-sieraaden, 1802 This exquisite hand-colored engraving is from the renowned work 'Magazijn van tuin-sieraa...

A strikingly bound first edition set of the poetical works of Alfred Lord Tennyson, a lovely set of the popular Victorian's works. A striking uniformly bound set of the poetical wor...

Unused Antique Gutty Golf Ball. An exceptional example of a moulded mesh patterned Victorian gutta percha golf ball. The ball is in mint condition and is with the classic mesh patter...

This is a beautiful antique Victorian silver plated child's walking stick, circa 1890 in date The striking stick features an ornate silver crutch handle having a profusely embossed ...

Large oak dinner gong the arch top with lion mask head, and suspended ring, surrounded by carved scrolls and foliage, above two figures supporting the original brass gong. All raised...

Atelier mannequin graven and carved stone pine wood Italy, late 19th century Measures: H 102 cm x 25 cm x 14 cm H 40.15 in x 9.84 in x 5.51 in Weight: circa kg 4 State of conse...

McKenney, Thomas L. (1785-1859) and James Hall (1793-1868) History of the Indian Tribes of North America; With Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of the Principal Chiefs, Embellished with One Hundred and Twenty Portraits, from the Indian Gallery...

A beautiful and exceptionally bright leather set of these collected major works of William Hickling Prescott. Complete in twelve volumes. A set of the major works of William H. Pr...

'Horses and Dogs' by O. Eerelman. With descriptive text, translated from the Dutch by Clara Bell. With 15 full page illustrations, frontispiece and numerous...

A very rare Scottish Mauchline wooden postal ruler and paper folder decorated with a scene of the beach & cliffs in cromer, norfolk and probably dating from the mid 19th century. While originally made as souvenir items this ruler also provides a real insight to postal history. The ruler is of flat shape with rounded ends and a smooth edge and is decorated with scroll work designs to either end and on both sides and the main side is printed POSTAL RULER AND PAPER FOLDER with a printed section titled THE PARCELS POST providing instructions and costs of sending parcels and on the opposite side titled BILL STAMPS with a list of values and costs. The ruler also has a printed 8” (20cm) measuring edge both top and bottom, one titled English Inches and the other French Centimetres. On the opposite side the ruler has a central transfer scene titled THE BEACH & CLIFFS, CROMER with a four sections the first titled LETTER POST...

Antique 19th Century Russian solid silver book cover, featuring velvet and leather. The front is adorned with burgundy velvet and intricate silver de...

Perfect size and shape church bench. This very well crafted, solid oak bench is a perfect example of quality made European furniture from the late 1900's. We felt very fortunate to ...

Black Forest taxidermy, antique deer, 1888 Georgen, Juli 1888, good condition.

Scrimshaw of an engraved whale's tooth, depicting on one side, truncated pyramid cippus culminating with a half sphere and surmounted at the top by a six-pointed star, symbolism trac...

A five volume leather bound set titled "Beacon Lights of History" by John Lord published in New York in 1884 by Fords, Howard and Hulbert profiling various historical luminaries from...

Italian Medieval / Renaissance-style (19th Century) metal life size suit of armor with fluted breast plate on a square wooden base. Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use...

Good size, finest quality and superb condition antique wall crucifix. This antique work of religious art consists of a top quality carved, oakwooden cross and a superbly hand-crafted bronze corpus of Christ with a beautiful patina. The rare wooden cross comes with superbly hand carved 'fleur de lis' symbols on all ends which makes us believe that this ecclesiastical antique in the Renaissance Style originates from France. This bronze sculpture of Christ clearly depicts Jesus just shortly after the suffering has ended and His body could no longer hold on to life. People think of different things when looking at Christ who died on the cross, but no matter what you think of most, this antique crucifix...

This is an outstanding and extremely rare hand crafted, solid sterling silver Mezuzah in the original leather and dark purple velvet box. It was made in Vienna, Austria between 1890 ...

Geometrical and Graphical Essays [and] Plates to the Geometrical and Graphical Essays.; By the late George Adams, Mathematical Instrument Maker to his Majesty, & c. London: W. & S. Jones, 1813. Fourth Edition. Two volumes, 8vo, 9 x 5 3/4 in. (228 x 145 mm). Text volume: pp. frontispiece, xii, 534, [16] ads; Plates vol.: pp. title page and 34 folding plates. Previous owner's name penned on the first free flyleaf. Uniform contemporary paper-covered boards, untrimmed, housed in a felt-lined custom clamshell box, 9 x 5 1/2 in. Occasional browning to the edges of some of the plates in Vol. 2, 1/2 inch tear to fold of Pl. VIII and 1 inch tear to the edge of Pl XIV, none of these minor flaws affecting the images. Frontispiece "The Great Theodolite, by Ramsden, Used by the late Gen.l Roy &c. in the great English Trigonometrical Operations." This is the "Fourth Edition, corrected and enlarged by William Jones, F. Am. P. S. [ESTC T88416, 1791 edition]. The last chapter of these fascinating volumes includes conversion tables to various standard national measure ranging from the Paris foot to the Russian archine, to the Venice braccio, the Egyptian stadium to 'The mathematical foot of China'. GEORGE ADAMS the younger (1750–1795) was an English scientist, optician and scientific writer. In politics Adams was a Tory, and as such was received with favour at court by George III, who made him his official mathematical instrument maker, succeeding his father George Adams in the post. George III was personally interested in instruments and had Adams produce items for him exclusively, many in silver. These instruments now form a collection which is housed in London's Science Museum Royal collection Adams was also known for making globes, and for inventing the lucernal microscope, a type of projection microscope where the image is projected on a screen by a large oil lamp...

An antique pike in a display case A taxidermy pike on a sandy black surface. In a beautifully finished display cabinet. The pike measures 68 cm and...

The Comedy, by Dante Alighieri, with the unpublished commentary by S. Talice da Ricaldone. First Edition commissioned by King Umberto I. Publisher Vincenzo Bona. Turin, 1886 Ori...

Miniature Wunderkammer Grand Tour architectural model, entirely handmade, in balsa wood and brass, depicting the Tower of Pisa. The bells made of brass are inserted in the final part...

AUTHOR: SHELLEY, Mary. TITLE: Lodore. PUBLISHER: New York: Wallis & Newell, 1835. DESCRIPTION: FIRST AMERICAN EDITION. 1 vol., 7-11/16" x 4-3/4", 228pp., bound in contemporary (o...

Symbolic and meaningful work of religious art with original label on the back. Framed oil on wooden panel, Madonna and child, after Italian Nicolo Barabino (1833-1891). The original...

Antique map of part of the United States of America including Lower California, Arizona and part of Mexico. This map was part of a set of six individual sheets with maps of the Unite...

19th-Century English Barometer & Fahrenheit Thermometer in Mahogany Case Barometer in a mahogany case, dated to the 1st half of the 19th century, featuring a Fahrenheit thermometer,...

The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments, Translated out of the Original Tongues: And with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised, by His Majesty’s Spec...

Antique Map of the European Turkey, Greece & Ionian Islands – Stieler, c.1860 Original antique map titled *Die Europaeische Türkei, Griechenland und die ...

This is a truly magnificent and rare antique French sterling silver mounted walking cane, Circa 1880 in date. This superb decorative walking cane has a splendid chased silver handl...

AUTHOR: DODGSON, Charles Lutwidge: (Lewis Carroll). TITLE: Through The Looking-Glass And What Alice Found There. PUBLISHER: London: Macmillan & Co., 1872. DESCRIPTION: PRE-...

This exquisite Biedermeier porcelain bathing doll, dating back to around 1820, is a fascinating piece of early toy history. During the 19th century, these dolls were used as floating...

19th century Spanish Colonial shrine for a Santos or statue of the Virgin Mary in the form of a church likely from New Mexico. Topped with three crosses with traces of gilding, two c...

Italian Renaissance style rass filigree religious book stand with Star of David and 7 candleholders (19th Cent.)

Elegant cigarette case in silver from Birmingham, England in 1899. Beautifully decorated with leaves and gilding on the inside. Wear consistent with age and use.

Scrimshaw is the art of carving bone, ivory, or other materials. It was a popular pastime for whalers in the 19th century, who created decorative and utilitarian objects. This very u...

A beautiful cigar cutter, showing a dancing lady. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of silver-plate metal. Marked Germany it the base. A beautiful nice collecti...