Louis XVI Collectibles and Curiosities

SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Copernican-type planetary globe in cardboard and engraved paper mounted on a blackened wooden stand. France, circa 1810. H. 54 cm Diam. 36 cm Antique armillary spheres...

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...

**Early 20th-Century Brass Guillotine Cigar Cutter** Why settle for a boring cigar cutter when you can channel the drama of the French Revolution every time you light up? This early 20th-century brass guillotine cigar cutter, crafted by masterful French artisans, brings a touch of history and a whole lot of flair to your smoking ritual. Featuring a miniature guillotine...

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 ...

Bronze Mounted Steinway Model M Baby Grand Piano A Model Of Francois Linke Dimensions : Height 43 in., Length 67 in., Width 56.25 in A Gilt-Bronze Mounted Steinway & Sons Baby G...

French Louis XVI-style bronze wall barometer with an urn finial top with a head above the round dial and draped with a ribbon design.

Gorgeous late 19th century gilt wood barometer thermometer made in Italy in the Louis XVI or baroque taste. The large barometer features a large carve...

A gorgeous French 19th century painted and gold gilt barometer with thermometer. The elegantly carved giltwood surrounding the French gray-painted case is in a rococo and laurel leaf...

A spectacular French mid-19th century, circa 1855, Louis XVI st. tulipwood parquetry and ormolu mounted, Model 2 Concert Grand Piano, signed Pleyel...

Rare neoclassical style French giltwood clock and barometer set French, 19th century Measures: Height 90cm, width 38cm, depth 12cm This du...

Shipping policy No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). With hinged gnomon, hour ring and l...

20th century antique reproduction miniature fauteuil made in the French Louis XVI style. The armchair has an oval back carved with ribbon detail and a bowknot at the crest. The arms ...

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...

This is amazing! It is a 19th century French Louis XVI style carved giltwood barometer. The crest appears to be a carved armillary of some sort with cascading laurel leaves and branc...

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...

Shipping policy No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Octagonal brass dial inset compass ...

A gold, large antique French Louis XVI period barometer, signed by Torricelli in gilded wood and of oval shape with original scientific illustrations, in good condition. The detailed wall décor piece is consisting its original glass. Framed with gilt foliate trim and important pediment. Minor fading, due to age. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1750, France. The Italian scientist Evangelista Torricelli...

Rare and unusual 19th century Louis XVI style dog/ doll bed or baby crib. The ultimate in luxury for your little furry friend.

Tall giltwood church torchère with deep foliate carvings, Italy late 18th century. This piece is finely hand carved in precise detail with deep foliate carvings decorated with acanth...

A 18th century set presented in trapezoidal case made of light wood and inlaid with marquetry. The vanity case includes a gold wax case decorated with fl...

Tall giltwood church torchère with deep foliate carvings, Italy late 18th century. This piece is finely hand carved in precise detail with deep foliate carvings decorated with acanth...

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...

A fine Louis XVI style gilt-bronze mounted baby grand Piano by Gaveau à Paris. Serial number 67874. This fine baby grand piano has a quarter-veneered top with a stiff leaf cas...

Decorate an entryway or library with this striking antique French barometer and thermometer, crafted circa 1880. Carved in wood and hand-painted in a vivid palette of faux-malachite,...

This exquisite 18th-century French barometer, crafted in 1778 by Charles Desnioulin (Signed), is a true masterpiece of both science and art. The finely carved wood frame, adorned wi...

French Louis XVI (18th Century) barometer with original scientific illustrations and mercury vial framed with gilt foliate carvings & ebonized ...

A very fine, large fire-gilded bronze church chandelier in Louis XVI style, France, late 18th century. This wonderful piece is finely elaborate in precise detail decorated with elega...

A 19th century Meissen Porcelain Model Of Empress Catherine II Of Russia's Favorite Dog (Russisches Windspiel). This delightful 19th-century Meissen porcelain model depicts Empress C...

A beautifully carved and giltwood 18th century Louis XVI wall barometer having its original mercury tube and mechanism but presently with the mercury missing.    

A stunningly beautiful 18th century French gold gilt barometer is a weather instrument with mercury-filled glass thermometer still in working order...

This Italian 18th century Louis XVI period hand carved and gilt wood architectural fragment probably was the central section of a bigger altar tabernacle that can now be used as a de...

A rare and extraordinary Louis XVI style Walnut Kneeler dating to the mid 1700’s and likely Italian. Monolithic in form, the Cabinet features inset drawer, side and door panels with...

Shipping policy No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Octagonal silver metal dial inset c...

Antique 18th Century Diptych Sundial and Compass a portable wooden sundial with compass, of German origin, by David Beringer, Nuremberg, dating back to the 1780 circa, in good age re...

Period late 18th century giltwood barometer. Original gilding. Carved overall with globe, and navigation instruments. Foliate and neoclassical motifs. Maker signed.

Lovely period French Louis XVI giltwood barometer with beautiful patina. This antique French Louis XVI gilt wood barometer will add a touc...

This Early 19th Century pair of magnificent tobacco boxes on stand, beautifully marries functionality and aestetics, showcasing the excellent craftsmanship of Venetian cabinetmakers in theirs refined inlaid of figures of smoking men and women. The body of this rare tobacco boxes, embodies an exquisite inlaid in blondy pearwood, that runs all over the round surface giving a sense of fuidity. The corpus is devided into the boxes, that are the cases containing the tobacco, and the standing base in solid cheer...

Decorate a table or a shelf with this beautiful antique gilt "Reliquaire" mirror. (Reliquary in English). Crafted in Italy circa 1780, the religious item stands on a tripod base endi...

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...

A stunningly beautiful 18th century French gold gilt barometer is a weather instrument with mercury-filled glass thermometer still in working order...

Original 19th Century wall mounted thermometer measuring in centigrade in the Louis XVI style. All bronze and very elegant thermometer attributed to François Linke. All weather m...

This lovely giltwood barometer and thermometer was hand-carved during the Louis XVI period in Paris, France. During the late 1700’s, barometers were typically only owned by wealthy families. Over time, barometers began to be viewed as works of art and could be found in middle class homes throughout Europe. The highly detailed crown of our apparatus depicts a footed vase bursting with a floral display. The garland trails down in an arch shape until it reaches an angular platform adorned with molding and vertical fluting. The flowered swag continues behind the platform, transitioning into a pair of gadrooned leaves. Each gadrooned leaf terminates in a husked cornucopia overflowing with laurel leaves. A large circular barometer dial is positioned in between the cornucopias. Under the barometer is a looping lambrequin that borders the top half of the thermometer. A pair of gadrooned leaves runs behind and through the lambrequin, flanking the lower half of the thermometer. A fluted base beneath the thermometer sits in a gadrooned cup. The detail of the carvings on this late 18th century Parisian...

Christ , 18th century. Crucifix, Christ, beautiful carved and gilded wood frame, 18th century. Dimensions: H: 61cm, W: 39cm, D: 7cm.

Elegant Louis XVI style set comprising a thermometer and a perpetual calendar attributed to F. Linke. Each consisting of a metal plaque, painted with floral motifs on a beige backgro...

18th century French neoclassical barometer from the Louis XVI period. Now strictly a stunning decorative object with great style. It is no long...

This French Louis XVI style barometer and thermometer features an exquisite carved giltwood crest with delicate foliage motifs. Below the crest, the thermometer, encompassed in a black painted body, sits atop the round barometer...

Pair of French Louis XVI-style (Mid-19th Century) ormolu wall clock and barometer set each of banjo form with Apollo mask above putti and ...

19th century French Louis XVI style gilt and painted wood barometer. While not in working order, barometer has that wonderful old 'chippy' peeling patina. The carved wood frame and g...

18th century carved & painted symbolic Christian plaque will make a unique and special addition to your devotional display! Hand-carved from fruitwood around the time of the founding...

A Louis XVI Period Barometer & Thermometer Combination, originating in France & dating from the last quarter of the 18th century. The workings enclosed by a gilt-wood case with carve...

A companion pair of Louis XVI style barometer and thermometer finely decorated with gilt bronze acanthus leaves and seeds on green velvet, each with a polychrome decorated enamel pla...

Wonderful antique French mercury barometer. Louis XVI ormolu style with elaborate cast bronze leaves and polychrome paint. Features a large squirrel tail thermometer and decorative 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...

Decorate a wall with this elegant, antique barometer with attached thermometer. Crafted in Paris, France, circa 1760 and hexagonal in shape, the scientific instrument features its or...

Set of a barometer and a clock, 19th century Set of a barometer and a clock in carved wood, from the 19th century, Louis XVI style, Napoleon III period, great decoration. The mechanism of the clock is missing, but it is possible on request to put an old clock...

A very handsome and decorative French late 19th century Louis XVI st. giltwood barometer. Fine carvings of scrolls and foliate throughout with a lyre shape above the painted barometer...

Store your jewelry in style in this intricately carved antique miniature commode. Crafted in France circa 1850, and built of oak, the elegant...

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 ...