A mid-17th century silver crucifix devotional pendant

A 17th century Roman altar cross after Guglielmo della Porta Approximate size: 67 x 27 cm The present altar cross, likely of Italian Roman origin, reprod...

An impressive early 17th century wood relief carving of the Three Divine Virtues After Jan Pietersz Saenredam and Hendrik Goltzius First quarter of the 17th century; Northern Netherlands Approximate size: 35.5 x 50 cm (without frame); 53 x 67 cm (with frame) The present carving, of Flemish origin and from the first quarter of the 17th century, was executed during the Golden Age of Dutch art. The relief depicts the figures of Pietas, Caritas and Fides: the divine virtues of Hope, Charity and Faith. Each of the Virtues is articulated with exceptional care and the skill of a talented hand. The composition is bursting with energy, emphasized by the active putti surrounding its central protagonist and the emergence of the figures in the foreground, silhouetted against a cityscape with the upper horizon framed by clouds and rays-of-glory. The relief’s design is indebted to late 16th century Mannerist influences shown in the expressive postures of the figures and the billowing hair of Charity. Other Flemish artists approached this theme like the painters, Maarten de Vos, Maarten van Heemskerck, et al. However, our particular carving is an amalgam of three individual compositions engraved by Jan Pietersz Saenredam in 1601, and based on the designs of his mentor and long-time collaborator, Hendrik Goltizius (presumably following inspired Latin prose conceived by the Haarlem Humanist, Cornelis Schonaeus). The relief is set in an elaborate checkered, wood-inlaid frame but its scale and shape suggest it probably once formed part of an elaborate Beeldenkast or impressive Dutch oak cupboard...

Anonymous Second half of the 15th century; Northern Italy, possibly Milan Gilt bronze Approximate size: 17.2 x 13 cm The present pax probably derives from a finer original realized in more precious materials. For example, the vigor of its central motif is carved in such a way as to suggest the original artwork was conceived in carved stone or perhaps mother-of-pearl. The intricacy of its frame suggests a separate master adept in silverwork. Overall, this bronze pax...

A beautifully aged pair of 17th century Baroque Italian Floral Still Life Paintings School or influence of Orsola Maddalena Caccia ...

The present pair of late 17th century or early 18th century Spanish Baroque giltwood architectural elements may have once formed part of an altarpiece environment. Their decorative p...

Anonymous, school of Donatello Second half of the 15th century; Northern Italy Approximate size: 13 x 7.6 cm The present relief of the Virgin and Child is largely considered derive...

Devotional medal, Santiago Apóstol. Ormolu, 17th century. Openwork devotional medal with the image of Santiago Apóstol in the center, on a pedestal and holding a staff and a book, surrounded by a crown of leaves knotted with two loops above and below. Copies similar to the present one are found in the Museum of Pilgrimages in Santiago de Compostela...

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...

One of its fronts presents a textile background under a transparent glass, space that was surely designed to contain relics. The other side has a brightly colored enamel with the Vir...

Devotional plaque, Immaculate Conception. Bronze. Spanish school, 17th century. Bronze devotional plate with washer at the top that presents a relief on the front. In this you can s...

Devotional plaque, Ecce Homo. Bronze. Spanish school, 17th century. Bronze devotional plate with an oval shape and a washer at the top that presents a relief within a frame of smoot...

Devotional plaque, Adoration of the Three Wise Men. Bronze. Spanish school, 17th century. Rectangular devotional plaque made of bronze, which presents the scene of the Birth of Jesu...