15th Century and Earlier Furniture

This pair of straw-glazed pottery figures represents a male and female court attendant, both elegantly attired in period fashion. The female figure wears a flowing robe with draped f...

Antique Sukhothai glazed ceramic fish dish. Age: Thailand, Sukhothai Period, 14th - 16th Century Size: Diameter 23.8 C.M. / Thickness 8.2 C.M. (size...

A wonderful and substantial spherical geode is shown here, with deep purple amethyst crystals enveloping a central calcite. A quintessential geode and a striking display piece. ...

A collection of 4 nice original ancient large bronze Roman coins. Could be emperor Caracalla dating from circa.200-300 AD. Shows nice detail, imagine all the places these coins have ...

This stunning sphere is crafted from Labradorite, a mesmerizing mineral renowned for its remarkable play of colors, known as labradorescence. The sphere predominantly showcases a gre...

Provenance : In the same private collection for several generations, Burgundy. The canonical Gospels describe briefly the episode of the Nativity. It comprises three parts : • The Preludes : the Journey to Bethlehem, the Census • The Nativity • The Announce to the Shepherds and the Adoration of the Magi Only the Gospel according to Matthew (2, 1-12) speaks about the Adoration of the Magi. Staying vague about their number it does say they brought the newborn gold, incense and myrrh. The apocryphals, the fathers of the Church and many other authors have filled in the gaps of the evangelic tale. The sobriety and symbolic of the story have been a huge inspiration to artists. Although one of the oldest depictions of the Adoration of the Magi dates from the 2nd century the theme became very popular in Christian art during the late 14th century. One of the reasons explaining this success is that it celebrates both the Virgin and Christ at the same time. This important walnut panel is carved in a strong relief and depicts the different steps of the story of Jesus’ birth. On the left, the donkey and ox that have accompanied Mary and Joseph from Bethlehem are depicted behind a trough. On the thatch roof appears the star that would guide the magi to the place of birth of Jesus. Mary is wearing a veil and is seating on a bed. She holds her baby at arm’s length to present him to the magi. Saint Joseph is by her side. The old man is holding a cane in his left hand while from the right hand he seems to uncover himself to greet the visitors. A woman assists to the scene. In front of the holy family the three magi stand behind one another to pay their homage to the newborn. The first magi has a pointed beard. He is already kneeling out of deference and has placed his crown to his feet. He gives the baby a hanap filled with gold coins. This is Melchior as the legend describes him with white hair and a long beard. Caspar, the second magi bears a cup of incense. He is looking at the third magi and with his right hand he points to the star that has guided them there. He has a short beard and wears crakow shoes, breeches and a wide sleeved doublet. Finally Balthazar, the elegant last magi proceeds proudly towards the holy family with his one hand on the saber’s hilt and the other holding a cup. He brings the divine child the myrrh. He probably just dismounted as the horse can be seen behind him. The scene is set in a very detailed and narrative decor. In the right part of the panel the shepherd receive the announce of Jesus’ birth. An angel comes down from heaven with a scroll bearing the good news in his hands. The herding dog sleeps peacefully while sheeps graze. At the top of the cliff we notice the gilded sheeps enclosure. The panel’s moulded frame is carved with a foliated decor. In it’s centre appears a coat-of-arms. It is the alliance of the three magi’s arms. Indeed as it was common for legendary figures the three of them received imaginaries coat-of-arms. Thus, on a field of azure stands a star for Melchior, a crescent for Caspar and a pennon for Balthazar. This high-relief panel is undeniably the work of a very skilled and imaginative artist. This key moment in the New Testament is transposed to a contemporary environment thanks to the figures’ clothing and the rural daily life scene. This way the universal dimension of the episode is highlighted allowing a better understanding for the contemporaries. The sculptor has represented the episodes of the Adoration of the Magi and the Announce to the Shepherd with great talent and numerous details giving life to a picturesque and narrative scene. The important traces of polychromy give those already very animated scenes a stronger pictorial power and a rich dynamism. Because of the picturesque and familiar realism so dear to the artists of the late Medieval era, of the didactic function of this type of panel as well as the quality of the sculpture this piece is an astounding example of Burgundian art of the 15th century. Literature Louis Réau, Iconographie de l’Art chrétien...

Pre-Colombian Casas Grande Olla Pot, Arizona, c. 1150-1450 , Zoomorphic Polychrome Decoration. The Casas Olla Pot is made of clay and has a rounded, bulbous shape. It's surface is de...

Presenting a stunning piece of Indian antiquity from the 11th century, namely, a 11C Ambika Buff Sandstone Western India carving. From Western India. ...

Antique Large Solid Stone Ammonite on Handcrafted Iron Stand Featuring Fascinating Ridged Surface Dimensions: 26"W X 5"D X 27.5"H

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...

Tang Dynasty Terracotta sculpture of a fat lady This stunning lady wears her hair in an elaborately styled coiffure. A remarkable amount of the original pigm...

Tang Dynasty painted terracotta fat lady tomb figure China. Tang Dynasty Circa 618-907 Modelled in the form of a classically dressed fat lady, this terraco...

This is a very old excavated pottery made around the Tang Dynasty in China. During the Tang Dynasty, colored pottery called Sancai appeared. There are various colors such as yellow,...

Victorian mahogany gentleman's breakfront wardrobe This wardrobe stands upon a plinth base The central section having an arrangement of 2 over 2 mahogany lined drawers, the section a...

A massive Ban Chiang culture painted pottery vessel, circa 300 BC, Thailand. The large storage jar painted with a bold spiral pattern in red ochre on a b...

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...

Pre-Columbian, Northern Mexico, Chihuahua region, Casas Grandes, Ramos Polychrome type, ca. 1150 to 1450 CE. A hand-built and stone-burnished pottery olla jar of a globular form with...

Impressive 15th-century sculpture of Christ on the Cross, featuring a wooden crucifix and a polychrome Christ figure. The piece has been remarkably preserved, maintaining its origina...

Magnificent fossil, ammonite, France, Prehistoric, approximately 335 million years of existence. Height 55 cm, width 58 cm.

A magnificent pair of large one-of-a-kind medieval Italian armorial shield church architectural elements. Dating to around the late 15th century, hand-crafted in Italy, most impressive size, standing over 6-feet tall, bow front shaped shield form, polychrome painted Memento Mori - The Wars of the...

Italian Renaissance wedding cassone Origin : Northern Italy, Between Milan And Bologne Period : 15th Century Height : 55 cm Width : 156.5 cm D...

Han Dynasty Earthenware Vase

Large Pre Columbian  INCA / Early Colonial period  Wood Kero    A superb Large Inca Kero cup profusely carved in the mosaic style with a image of the Inca or...

In 2016, large masses of the Sericho pallasite meteorite were acquired from villagers in Isiolo County, Kenya, marking its formal discovery. The olivine crystals range in colour from...

An exquisite deep purple amethyst cluster with stalactite formation. This natural piece is surrounded and adorned with a beautiful polished frame, where it is possible to see the min...

Tourmaline on Lepidolite Aricanga mine, São José da Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil 11.5 cm tall x 12 cm wide Large "rocket-like" crystals burst forth from a lavender lepidolite matrix...

Chinese Neolithic Ovoid Pottery Jar from the Majiayao Culture, specifically the Machang phase, in northwest China, and dating back roughly 4000 years. Ja...

Unearthed in the continental intercalaire, a significant 105mm Spinosaurus tooth highlights 19 million years of evolutionary prowess. Known for its sail-like dorsal fin, potent jaws,...

Roman Marble Head of Sophocles Circa 1st-2nd Century Marble This fine Roman marble head preserves the proper left side of the face of a middle-aged man, with broad nose, soft lips, and bearded chin. The short beard and sideburns have been finely carved with a flat chisel, to render the soft, wavy strands of hair. The cheekbone, undereye, and nasolabial folds have been delicately modelled in the marble by a skilled hand. In a letter from 1975, the former director of Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen, suggested that the head could depict the Ancient Greek tragedian Sophocles. Few figures in the Classical world stand aside Sophocles (c. 496-406 BC), inarguably the best known of the Athenian tragedians, in terms of the impact his works have had on the history of art and literature. The psychological depth he achieves in the seven of the 123 of his plays that have survived to the present day - most notably the three Theban plays: Antigone, Oedipus the King, and Oedipus at Colonus - not only inspired the Athenians, among whom Sophocles was honoured as a hero long after his death, but in our own time, have provoked landmark works on phychoanalysis and literary criticism, by thinkers like René Girard and, most famously, Sigmund Freud. In its masterful treatment of the marble this fragment sensitively captures the features of one of the most important playwrights of all time. Height on stand: 7.9 inches (20 cm). Provenance: Collection of Danish sculptor Jens Adolf Jerichau...

An impressive, large single crystal point of smoky quartz with pleasing facets. The interior of the quartz crystal is interspersed with gorgeous black tourmaline in a variety of orie...

This gorgeous large quartz crystal sits on a bed of rough crystalline matrix. A large piece is wonderfully sculptural. This piece was legally and ethically sourced. Place of ori...

Ancient Egyptian kohl vessel set, dating to the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1295 B.C.), includes a wooden container for storing kohl, a black cosmetic used for eye adornment and protection,...

A half polished geode with a thick agatised border. The inside covered by deep purple amethyst crystals and 2 beautiful calcite formations at the centre, one of them covered with a b...

A fantastic and powerful pair of Chinese Tang Dynasty three-color (sancai) glazed zhenmushou, tomb guardian figures, late 7th or early 8th century. TL t...

Mosasaurus was a carnivore. It lived in the Cretaceous period and existed from Upper Cretaceous Epoch to 61.7 million years ago. It lived in a terrestrial habitat like grasslands, fo...

Fully terminated transparent gem quality spodumene var. kunzite with intense vibrant pink color all throughout the crystals. The crystal faces are deeply striated with a glassy luste...

Canopus Jar "Asmet", With certificate of authenticity. 1069 - 664 B.C, Egypt. Good condition. Egyptian culture are "Canopus jars". These were vessels ...

The Shang Dynasty Bronze Bell is an ancient artifact, intricately engraved with mask designs that reflect the artistry and cultural significance o...

Large South Pacific Tridacna Gigas Clam shell The shell is in very good condition and with a beautiful pink tint.  

Covered with a fine bluish glaze, the body entirely decorated with an incised decoration of elegant leafy scrolls and blooming lotuses. "Yuhuchunping" translates to 'spring wine bott...

The crane, a traditional symbol of longevity and auspiciousness, is prominently placed at the center, creating a harmonious and aesthetically balanced effect. The border of the dish ...

Chinese, Tang Dynasty (618 AD to 906 AD) TL tested A pair of semi-human earth spirit figures seated on their haunches with cloven hooves planted firmly on...

Spectacular large terracota vessel with bulbous body and a flat vase. A large frieze od dark-painted geometric and floral decorations features on the top half of the vessel. This is ...

SUISEKI, KAMUY KOTAN STONE – Kamuy kotan stone from the canyon called ‘Kamuy-kotan’ (‘Whereabouts of God’ in the Ainu language) in the western part of Asahikawa city in Hokkaido, Jap...

12th century extremely rare romanesque wood sculpture of the Virgin Mary. Magnificent wood hand carved sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding a book to her chest. It is an extremely rare survivor of the 12th century. The style is European, possibly French or English. This statue is a testimony to beautiful religious art from about 1150. A truly rare Romanesque sculpture...

Rare and exceptional 14th century oak chest from Saxony. With double quatrefoil decoration to the top, this piece is most likely from the Luneberger Moor region of Lower Saxony, Germ...

Burmese pottery standing Buddha. Age: Burma, Ava Period, 15th Century Size: Height 13.4 C.M. / Width 6.2 C.M. / Length 10.7 C.M. Condition: Nice c...

Rare and Large Imperial Black Porphyry architectural fragment partially polished, 23,5 x 15 x 12 cm Porfido Nero is a rare Black Variety of Imperial Porphyry from Gebel Dokhan (th...

Possibly a Noblewoman Elegant stone sculpture from 14th-century Gothic France, possibly representing a noble lady. The bust features finely carved details in the attire, with attent...

A marble statue of a youth in contrapposto position. The torso is idealised but has only softly suggested muscles, giving the impression of youth. The beginnings of the slender arms ...

Madagascar Jurassic - Cretaceous Period, 200 - 145 million years old Dimensions: 12.75 x 11 x 2.25 in. / 32 x 28 x 6 cm Weight: 12 lbs 14 oz/ 5.85 kg In this example, the complex...

Pre-Columbian Redware Ceramic Flask Vessel – 15 x 13 x 5 cm This striking Pre-Columbian redware ceramic vessel showcases the sophisticated artistry and utilitarian craftsmanship of ...

A wonderful example of a Cretaceous mosasaur. The original Halisaurus arambourgi mosasaur mandibles and vertebrae, measuring 2.9ft, include a well-preserved, near-complete skull, low...

Feast your eyes on this breathtaking polished citrine from Brazil, a true marvel of natural artistry. This stunning specimen boasts remarkable transparency, allowing the rich brownis...

Ancient Carved Stone Buddha Head Sculpture, Provenance Royal-Athena Galleries NY Offered for sale is an ancient carved stone Buddha head sculpture which was acquired at Royal-Athena...

A very fine late Yuan to early Ming Chinese terracotta gilt and polychrome painted Buddha figure, he is dressed in thick robes, his hair arranged in ty...

Ancient Holy Land Iron Age Pottery Jug c.1000 BC. Fine large pottery footed jug with loop type handle, etched lines at shoulder. Iron Age from the time o...

A striking and monumental crystal rock cluster sourced from Brazil, mounted on a custom black metal and stone base. This extraordinary specimen features dozens of pristine, elongate...

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...

Genuine, museum-quality, Ophiuroidea Brittle Star Fossil. Ophiura ophiura or the serpent star is a species of brittle star in the order Ophiurida. This type of species is known for i...