15th Century and Earlier Furniture

A massive pottery pair of horses standing on all fours and striding with its right hoof forward. Extended snout ends in parted lips showing teeth beneath in a braying attitude. Low relief bridle on face and well defined eyes. Raised mane down back of the neck A fantastic example of the Wei dynasty horses. Large, exquisite walking Ferghana horses with great attention paid to anatomical detail were the choice of the wealthy. The horse was second only in importance to the dragon. It was supposed to possess magical powers which the early Chinese were eager to explore. It would be the horse that would carry the deceased to the next life and it would be the amount of horses that an individual owned that would guarantee his ongoing status in the hereafter. Thermoluminescence certificate from Madrid Labs included. In southern China, people turned to Daoism, and mingqi, as well as above-ground sculptures, became ever more infused with animal iconography and energized with dynamic lines. The north of China was eventually united by nomadic Tuoba invaders who founded the Northern Wei dynasty...

A beautifully preserved fossilized turtle skull from the Kem Kem fossil formation in Morocco, exhibiting outstanding anatomical detail. The bone structure remains highly intact, with...

MARTIAN STONE - NWA 14713 Lherzolitic shergottite 127 g “This 127-gram fragment of the NWA 14713 meteorite displays a green-black mottled exterior. The rock is a martian shergottite (a basalt) composed mainly of coarse grains of pyroxene as well as calcium-plagioclase glass. This glass, called maskelynite, formed from crystalline plagioclase when the specimen was blasted off the surface of Mars by an energetic collision. There are currently less than 350 known martian meteorites...

Fossilised Skin of a Brachylophosaurus Approx. 80 Million y/o An exceptional specimen of fossilised dinosaur skin, preserving the hexagonal scales of...

8.5" Polymorphopteris Species Natural Tree Fern Fossil Specimen, 305 million yrs old apx. Discovered at Llewellyn Formation (PA) Here is another gorgeous plant fossil specimen that w...

A remarkably fine example of Archaic sculpture.  A figure of a discophoros, or discus bearer, standing with his right leg forward, gripping a discus in his right hand, the left arm raised with an open palm. Described with admiration in Münzen und Medaillen's 1961 auction, "The figure is a masterpiece and illustrates with rare vividness the essence of good Etruscan sculpture...

This huge, Museum-quality Spinosaur tooth is completely in tact with no repairs. This incredible specimen includes a display box for preservation and display purposes. Spinosaurus (m...

Oriented Stone Meteorite Chondrite 5.00 kg Detached from its parent body by a mighty impact, this large, oriented Meteorite travelled over a hu...

Brittle stars, or ophiuroids, are echinoderms in the class Ophiuroidea, closely related to starfish. They crawl across the sea floor using their flexible arms for locomotion. The mos...

A beautiful, fossilized and calcified ammonite shell with an iridescent, opalized shimmer, displaying hints of vibrant red and yellow tones. This specimen displays multiple complete ...

Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa. Cretaceous Age 65 million years Carcharodontosaurus is one of the longest and heavi...

Ancient Roman Stele Relief Fragment Circa 1st Century BCE–1st Century CE This rare marble stele relief fragment is a remarkable artifact of ancient history. Dating to the 1st centur...

This is a Shigaraki ware ceramic piece, crafted in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Shigaraki ware originates from the Shigaraki region and dates back as far as the 8th century. It is one of...

Oligocene Turtle Fossil, South Dakota This exceptional mounted turtle fossil originates from the Oligocene period (approximately 23–34 million years ago) and was unearthed in South D...

A scarce 600 year old (approx) Chinese pottery Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) large glazed earthenware míngqì tomb figure, modeled as horse sculpture with saddle, stirrups, and integral ba...

A stunning grape agate with calcium carbonate arrangement! Origin: Indonesia

Tyrannosaurus Rex Tooth in Fossil Matrix. Late Cretaceous, circa 65 Million years before present. Lance Formation, Marchant Ranch Quarry, Niobrara County, Wy...

Khmer Ekamukhalinga, a sandstone sculpture of a Linga fronted with a small relief face of Siva. The simple phallic form has a square base (Brahma, the creator), an octagonal mid-sect...

A late roman, Byzantine, frieze fragment. Border fragment with carved ledge and D-section rim with carved running guilloche motifs in high relief. Beautiful example of the elegant mi...

Provenance : - Kunsthaus Heinrich Hahn, Frankfurt am Main, sale 16, June 17, 1930, lot 16. - Sotheby's, Amsterdam, Feb. 26, 2006, lot 201. HISTORIC Located between Moselle valley and Meuse valley, framed by the Vosges Mountains on the south side and the duchy of Luxembourg on the north side, the duchy of Lorraine is the result of several partitions. It starts with the 9th century when the Carolingian empire is divided, with Lothar 1st inheriting Lotharingia. In 959 this territory was in turn divided in two; Lower and Upper Lotharingia, the latter being the forebear of the duchy of Lorraine. This duchy was under the rule of the Holy Roman Germanic Empire until 1736 when it was absorbed by the kingdom of France. All along its history the duchy of Lorraine has found itself in the midst of many conflicts. Alliances and feuds marking European history were always particularly sensible in Lorraine where instability was frequent. Because of its geographic position the duchy of Lorraine was also an artistic crossroad. Hence the duchy of Lorraine becomes from the 13th century onwards an important artistic centre where a particular type of Virgin and Child appears. According to professor J. A. Schmoll the characteristics of Lorraine sculpture burgeon around 1280-1300 in the Aube region. It presents “vigorous volumes, restrained movements, rare but solemn gestures and a strong interiorised and stern expression”. Those Virgins look similar with a wide forehead, a shield- or oval-shaped face, large neck, small lips and a cleft chin. This model is particularly in favour during the 13th century because of the revival for Marial worship and for the theme of the Virgin and Child. It bears witness to a new religious sensibility with a more intimate vision of religious practice. DESCRIPTION The important 14th century Virgin we present to you is one of the most beautiful examples of sculptural art from Eastern France, with her fascinating distant gaze. Her contrapposto posture is induced by the weight of the child she carries high on her left side. The child has a chubby face framed by blond hair with well defined curls and he wears a long red V-collared tunic from which emerge his feet. The fabric is animated by long folds. The position of the right foot turned to the back is a detail we can notice on several Virgins from Lorraine. He holds a bird that seems to be pecking his thumb. “The bird /held by the child in his hands/ has been read as a reference to an episode from Christ’s childhood when he has moulded sparrows with clay before giving them life. It appears in the apocryphal gospel of Pseudo-Matthew (ch. 27) and later in the Quran (III, 43, v. 110). However the iconography seems to be more influenced by the concept of Redemption or of Eucharist, the bird symbolising the soul of the Christian about to be redeemed or revitalised.” Mary wears a long dress with two rock crystal cabochons remaining from the original five. She is covered by a red cloak enriched with old-gold motifs draped as an apron falling in long pleats along her left hip. The relief treatment and the volume of the cloak developing a network of concentric pleats contrast with the the flat pleating of her dress. They nevertheless suggest the curve of her bent right leg. She wears a floret crown securing a short thin veil carved in very low relief. From it emerges her blond curled hair characteristic of the 13th century. The large face with almond-shaped eyes, straight nose, small lips and cleft chin casts its gaze afar in a fashion typical of 13th century Virgins. In her right hand she holds a lily flower. In a very refined manner the artist has carved a band on her right ring-finger. In the back, carefully sculpted, spreads the minutely detailed short veil. COMPARATIVE STUDIES This sculpture of great quality presents obvious similarities with Virgins from Lorraine, designated by William Forsythe...

Taino Pre-Columbian Carved Jade Kneeling Figure Zemi Pendant. 2.25" H x 1" W x 1" D. Provenance: From the Upper East Side Apartment of a Former Ambassador.

An exceptionally rare and important 15th century Gothic iron strongbox, weighing approximately 80 kg. This large strongbox retains its original mechanical locking system, which remai...

This vase features a traditional vase coated with a clear and rich green celadon glaze. A fine network of crazing covers the surface. The neck is adorned with raised vine motifs, whi...

This Paradoxides trilobite specimen presented as-unearthed in matrix dates back over 499 million years to the Middle Cambrian Epoch. Paradoxides is one of the earliest known genus of...

A stunning amethyst formation formed of a three quarter geode with cut window, revealing deep purple amethyst crystals, with a beautiful central calcite coated in black goethite and ...

Genuine Spinosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth. Spinosaurus (meaning "spine lizard") is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in what now is North Africa, during the upper Albian to upper T...

Ptychopariida is a large, heterogeneous order of trilobite containing some of the most primitive species known. The earliest species occurred in the second half of the Lower Cambrian...

Unclassified Meteorite Stone Height: 36.83 cm 42.5 kg A dramatic extraterrestrial sculpture, of monolithic form, covered in a thick grey-brown fusion crust and with areas of sandy deposits from untold years spent on the desert floor. Formed in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter during the formation of our solar system, some 4.55 billion years ago, this large stone would have been separated from its parent body by an enormous impact before journeying through interplanetary space and eventually reaching Earth. Upon atmospheric entry it would have reached cosmic velocity, heating the surrounding air to 1700°C and producing a large ball of fire. The heat was sufficient to melt the outer surface of the stone, exposing a new surface which in turn also melted away, losing as much as 95% of its initial mass before reaching the ground. The last molten layer to form as it collided with the Earth covered the stone in a layer of fusion crust, evidence of the incredible impact force delivered by this extraordinary specimen. “This unclassified stone meteorite was found in Northwest Africa. It has a relatively smooth, dark brown, slightly weathered fusion crust; some small melt veins are visible on the surface. Due to the near-absence of terrestrial rocks in this region of the Sahara, meteorite hunting in this area has yielded many notable discoveries.” Dr Alan E. Rubin, PhD Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences...

This genuine Carcharodontosaurus tooth is a prehistoric treasure from one of the most fearsome predators of the Cretaceous period. With its razor-sharp serrations and blade-like shap...

China, Ancient Bronze “Money Tree” Yaoqian Shu with original pottery base, Han dynasty (25 BCE – 220 CE) Dimensions: 155cm, 62 inches high A sculpted terracotta pottery base in the form of a tortoise with attendants and inserted with five individual bronze pole segments with twenty four individual hanging bronze open work money “branches” attached in tiers, four per tier and topped with a figure of a bronze phoenix as apex most bearing varying degrees of malachite and azurite encrustation from ancient burial. Important Description Details: Pottery "tortoise" base: 14.5" high and 11" wide Bronze sections: 7pcs pole bronze sections approximately 8" length each 1pc top "phoenix" bronze section approximately 7" high and 6" wide 20 pcs long bronze hanging wings approximately 10" long and 5" wide each 4 pcs short bronze hanging wings (near top) approximately 7" long and 4" wide each Total 32 pcs with ancient green and blue azurite patina. Catalog reference: Schneible Fine arts catalog - 35 Years Collecting Treasures- Number 11p. 28 (see photos) Provenance: Provenance: Private family collection formerly exhibited “Asia Week” New York City, Fuller Building, Zabriskie Gallery, 2008. History of money trees: In the late Han Dynasty tombs...

A beautiful, fossilized and calcified ammonite shell with an iridescent, opalized shimmer, displaying hints of vibrant red and yellow tones. This specimen displays multiple complete ...

Saint Nazaire Sword, Late Bronze Age, circa 800-900 B.C. An exceptionally well preserved Bronze Age sword, with elegant, finely incised decorations,...

NWA 12759 Stone, Chondrite - L5 18.3 KG “This specimen of the NWA 12759 L5 chondrite has a smooth posterior fusion crust where meteoritic melt pooled as the rock descended through the atmosphere and was heated by friction with molecules of air. The meteorite is from the L-chondrite asteroid that was destroyed by an energetic collision 470 million years ago.” Dr Alan E. Rubin, PhD Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, UCLA Detached from its parent body by a mighty impact, this large, oriented meteorite travelled over a hundred million miles through space before falling to Earth in the North African desert. Beautiful regmaglypts radiate from the apex of its cone shaped nose. These elongated dimples formed when streaks of superheated molten rock streamed off the meteor’s surface as it blazed through the atmosphere. The entire piece is coated in a glossy, umber-coloured fusion crust and close examination reveals remnants of encrusted, orange dirt. Whilst most meteors tumble as they travel through the Earth’s atmosphere, oriented meteorites...

Large white crystal quartz geode with a large naturally forming baroque pearl. 28lbs. Geodes are formed as gas bubbles within volcanic lava. Over time, the lava flow weathers away to leave the quartz geode buried deep in the Moroccan desert. This was dug by hand and includes druzy white crystal formations. This is a large geode specimen...

Elegant old cedar wood sweet large Egyptian mummy mask, 13 Inches high. Soft weathered surface and great expression. Areas of chips, erosion and li...

This is an extraordinarily complete geode, split in two and mounted atop a custom metal Stand. This piece celebrates the visual phenomenon of the geode in its entirety, with some par...

This authentic raptor rib fossil, preserved in its original matrix, hails from the iconic Lance Formation of Wyoming, a site renowned for its cache of Late Cretaceous dinosaur remain...

This remarkable windlass crossbow, dating from the late 15th to early 16th century, is a striking example of early European military craftsmanship, originating from Germany. Measurin...

An earthenware pottery bowl in conical shape supported by a short foot ring covered in white slip and decorated with black slip paint of calligraphy in Kufic script. This type of bowl is identified as Nishapur ware circa 10-11th century (in nowadays Iran). It was made either in Samanid Dynasty (819–999) or the successive Ghaznavid Empire (977–1186) before the Mongol invasion. The white glaze on the vessel's exterior was thinly applied, resulting in areas with streaks of opaque yellowing. The black slip paint was used to decorate the bowl in flowing Kufic script before a transparent top glaze was applied. The writing, consisting of cursive strokes in bell shape, is likely an Arabic Maxim. Under UV examination, the bowl shows some professionally restoration as described in condition. It comes with a custom-made acrylic stand as shown. Provenance: From an American collection, thereby descent. Purchased from Yacobs Gallery, London England, July 1998. Two digital copy the original hand-written documents...

Nice Self-Standing Ammonite Fossil, & Other Fossils, Emerging from Matrix. This intriquing specimen is about 95 million years old and was discovered / collected 50+ years ago in Fran...

A gorgeous slab of vibrant lapis lazuli. Lapis lazuli inclides lazurite (intense blue), calcite (white veins) and pyrite (gold flecks). Prized since ancient times, this is a wonder...

This double-spouted vessel originates from the Peru and is distinguished by its sculptural anthropomorphic design. One of the chambers is shaped as a human figure with a triangular f...

Alethopteris & Neuropteris Natural Tree Fern Fossil Specimen, 300 - 360 years old apx. Discovered in Pennsylvania. Colors occurred naturally over time through the mineralization pro...

A piece of finely woven textile fragment from Chancay culture circa 10th-15th century, which thrived in the Central coast of nowadays Peru until it was incorporated in Chimu culture,...

China, a fine archaic conjoined bust sculpture of a male and female hand carved from a granular medium to dark gray stone. Neolithic period, Hongshan culture (circa 4700-2900 BC) Likely a fertility - progeny sculpture. Please note the pecked surfaces and the stone carved hair line particularly on the back head area. Quality: Fine original condition, no repairs, as collected. Dark varied patina from appropriate age. This is likely a unique carving. Dimensions: 12.25 inches tall and 4.25 inches width. About Hongshan Culture: The Hongshan culture was a Neolithic culture in northeastern China. Hongshan sites have been found in an area stretching from Inner Mongolia to Liaoning, and dated from about 4700-2900 BC. The culture is named after Hongshanhou, a site in Hongshan District, Chifeng. The Hongshanhou site was discovered by the Japanese archaeologist Torii Ryuzo in 1908 and extensively excavated in 1935 by Kosaku Hamada and Mizuno Seiichi. Provenance: Our private collection and accompanied by our Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity. Originally collected in the area of Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia. In addition, our Hongshan stone effigy...

This rare and evocative Medieval Gothic box contains a powerful combination of Salomon’s Kabbalistic seals, a sacred ex libris dedicated to God, and a Star of David inscribed with He...

This stunning piece of Pyrite from Peru, often referred to as "Fool's Gold," is a remarkable example of nature's craftsmanship. The specimen features a unique triangular shape that e...

This fascinating section of basalt perfectly illustrates how the precious amethyst appears in the tunnels of the underground mines of Artigas. Glistening deep purple crystals jump ...

Pre columbian Lamabayeque wood figure Peru Circa 750 to 1375 AD A rare standing figure of a deity with triangular tear drop shaped eyes holding a child, Carved in very dense heavy hard wood Measures: Height 14 inches, 36 cm weight, 1.5 kg approx Ex collection of a Oxford Academic, reputed to have came from Pit rivers...

A marble portrait head of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (r. 161-180 A.D.), in his fourth and final portrait type. Known as the Capitoline Imperatori 38 type, after the most famou...

A superb collection of naturally-occurring minerals, curated from private British collections to create a unique set. This varied group showcases nine individual small cabinet speci...

A mesmerizing Gupta Empire (mid-3rd century BCE - 543 AD) mounted terracotta torso of a standing Vishnu. Vishnu is the preserver god, which means he p...

A likely 12-14th Century Northern Indian temple fragment of a female figure or consort known as an Apsaras. Carved in Red Sandstone, the female figure is appropriately attired in bel...

This large fossil plate is incredibly unique, featuring a long Diplomystus dentatus along with two Cockerellites (Priscacara) liops, fossilized in its natural matrix. The entire piec...

A large freestanding statue of the ancient Egyptian god Bes in his canonical form as a stocky dwarf. His face is highly expressive, with large, teardrop-shaped eyebrows drawn into an...

Behold the dazzling beauty of this multi-colored fluorite specimen from the USA, featuring a rich palette of violet hues interspersed with transparent areas and edges adorned with a ...

Rock crystal vessels were highly demanded and valuable in Medieval times. Inventories from European royal houses and the highest aristocratic families detail the important and sophisticated collections of ewers and bowls. Rock crystal has also been used extensively in religious art. Fine European reliquaries were also made of Rock Crystal including gems, enamel and other precious materials. The work of rock crystal is very ancient. The materials has been worked and valued for its solidity and its purity: it has been believed to be water ice permanently frozen. Our superb example is a gold-mounted rock crystal bowl with enamel. The items origin is not clear and various features and characteristics may lead us to think of different origins and periods of creation. A single piece of stone mounted with gold could be a Milanese work. Although the cut could be French as similar pieces belonged to the French royalty (especially the art lover Duc de Berry, (1340-1416)). French and Italian crystal cutters have been active at the same time and it is often difficult to differentiate their works. Islamic art also influenced European artists. The famous Fatimid treasury provided examples of their sophistication and quality. The seven ewers carved for the Fatimid Imans (known as "The Magnificent Seven") display impressive quality of both rock crystal and enamelled mounts. Even though not identical to works by French silversmith Jean-Valentin Morel who was appointed goldsmith to Queen Victoria in 1852 or Reinhold Vasters (1927-1909) another renown German goldsmith who embellished older rock crystal items, there are similarities between these works. Both reduce their use of colour to black and white on pure gold mounts. Moreover the black enamel design is quite similar. Also, no gems are included and no human figure is represented. Sotherby's described our bowl as a "German Rock crystal bowl with later gold mounts, 15th century." Other items from the period from Germany or Austria are usually silver mounted and the decorations are more colourful and include gems or human figures but they have in common enamel motifs. In our case, the gold foot, handles and rim could date from the 1900s. An expert has established the foot, handles and rim are pure gold. The goldsmith responsible for the improvement of the bowl is possibly the most famous Reinhold Vasters whose work has been displayed in the greatest museums such as the V&A in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The Rock Crystal bowl we have is gold mounted. The gold shows in enamelled details that are black and white. The gold handles are also enamelled with black acanthus-like leaves. The enamelling method could be "champleve" or "painting metal". The metal that is usually preferred is copper but these techniques are also applied to gold. The bowl itself could be from the 14th century. It's cut reminds of an estimated 14th century rock crystal ball bearing the Buoncompagni family arms...

POLYCHROME CARVED WOOD VIRGIN AND CHILD FROM THE 15TH CENTURY   ORIGIN: SOUTH GERMANY, SWABIA, NUREMBERG REGION PERIOD: 15th CENTURY   Height: 94,6cm Width : 28 cm Depth : 18 cm   Lime wood Original Polychromy Good state of conservation     From 1430 onwards, sculpture underwent a profound stylistic renewal which continued until 1530, the so-called late Gothic period. In the Germanic countries, original sculptures flourished in an expressive and sensitive vein.
This renewal was inspired by the art of Nicholas of Leiden, who was active in Strasbourg in the 1460's. His style broke with the refined and delicate art of the international Gothic style in force throughout Europe around 1400. The figures became more authentic and realistic. The bodies became denser. Clothes are animated by deep, broken folds, the fabrics are heavy and have a great decorative value. In addition, the polychromy is intended to be illusionistic. The painting makes it possible to restore the texture of the materials, the richness of the textiles and the natural skin tone of the characters.   The dissemination of images through engraving and the great mobility of the artists led to the success of this style, which conquered the Upper Rhine, Swabian, Tyrolean and Franconian regions, contributing to the formation of a common stylistic identity in these regions. The economic boom in the flourishing German cities was conducive to the development of original production. Attracted by this prosperity, numerous workshops were set up in order to meet the orders of religious communities, the Church and the laity, including a clientele of middle-class rockers.      This precious Virgin and Child is depicted standing on a crescent moon, her head encircled by a crown of tall flowers. Her long wavy hair spreads over her shoulders, framing her beautiful oval face. Under fine eyebrows drawn with a brushstroke, her almond-shaped, slightly drooping eyes look at the Child with infinite softness. She is dressed in a long red dress with a rounded neckline, belted under the chest. The heavy fabric of her dress spreads out in broken folds at her feet. On her shoulders she wears a golden cloak. The drapery has deep folds. She holds out her right hand while she holds the Christ Child with her left.   Christ, with his well-defined hair, is naked. His cheeks are highlighted with red, he holds an apple in his left hand and with the other hand makes a sign of blessing towards the faithful.   Virgins with Child on a crescent moon were very popular in the second half of the 15th century, especially as the central subject of altarpieces in southern Germany and Austria. The crescent moon on which Mary is standing is reminiscent of the Woman of the Apocalypse. Often equated with the Virgin Mary.    This episode is taken from the Book of Revelation (12:1-6)   1 Then a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. ; 2 She was pregnant, and she cried out because she was in labor, in pain from giving birth. ; 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: it was a great fiery red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads. ; 4 His tail swept down a third of heaven's stars and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth so that when she gave birth, he might devour her child. ; 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child who is to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was snatched up to God and his throne. ; 6 Then the woman fled into the desert, where God has prepared a place for her. There she will be taken care of for one thousand two hundred sixty days.   Some theologians see in this woman a reference to the Virgin Mary and in the child, Jesus.    
This remarkable work is a very fine example of sculpture from Swabian workshops in the last decades of the 15th century. It presents all the characteristic stylistic elements: a highly girdled silhouette, an abundant drapery with angular folds, but also a great physical presence accentuated by the polychromy that restores the anatomical details. This group is made of a wooden log. The deep folds of the drapery highlight the movement of the Virgin holding the child.       Bibliography :   Sophie Guillot de Suduiraut, Dévotion et Séduction, Sculptures souabes des musées de France, vers 1460-1530, Paris musée du Louvre-Éditions somogy, 2015   “Revelation 12 -   Common English Bible...

Large Ammonite, Rare Pachylytoceras Dilicidum Species, 190-200 Million Years Old apx. This is a beautiful, multicolor fossil specimen, probably found in France. The leafy patterns an...

Chinese pottery Hu jar decorated with bands of raised lines and a pair of monster masks on the shoulder. Age: China, Han Dynasty, 206 B.C. - A.D.220 Size: h...