Iconic Vintage Rattan Ottoman, Italy, 1950-1960

Griffin head Italy, 16th century On a modern metal stand Measures: 20 x 29 x 21 cm (without the stand) The griffin is a legendary creature with the body of a lion, the head an...

Series of Six Architectural Drawings Italy, '40 - '50 Signed and dated "P. Sinisi" (between 1948 - 1951) Pencil on paper black frame 67 x 52 x 1.2 cm (with frame) 48 x 33.5 ...

Cerberus Black painted stone Italy, 17th century Measures: 80 x 69 x 36cm (one head missing) Cerberus, cruel monster, fierce and strange, Through his wide threefold throat barks as a dog Over the multitude immers'd beneath. His eyes glare crimson, black his unctuous beard, His belly large, and claw'd the hands, with which He tears the spirits, flays them, and their limbs Piecemeal disparts (Dante, Inferno, Canto VI). Cerberus figure seated, in his role of ferocious guardian of the underworld; he shows a nervous musculature, an adherent skin which reveals the ribs, long and robust limbs; his heads are broad and the eyes set well apart. Painted in black to amplify his menacing look, the infernal guardian is depicted with his famous attributes, writhing his heads, growling and barking furiously. Cerberus, in Greek mythology, was the monstrous watchdog of the underworld – also known as the “hound of Hades” – preventing the dead from leaving, and making sure that those who entered never left. A child of Typhon and Echidna, he was part of a monstrous family, which included Orthus, the Lernaean Hydra, and the Chimaera as well. Only on three occasions Cerberus was tricked by visitors of Hades: Heracles did it with his strength, Orpheus with his music. In "The Inferno", Dante places Cerberus as the guardian of the third circle of Hell. With his three mouths, Dante saw Cerberus as a beast that was synonymous with the sin of Gluttony. Virgil gets past the monster by throwing mud in his three mouths, temporarily choking him. Very rare are the representations of Cerberus in ancient statuary...

Wax relief depicting a vase with flowers Italy, mid-19th century Signed "Scot. inv et fecit" Measures: 37 x 44 x 7,5 cm.  

Italian mid-century rattan pouf / ottoman with an open design and rounded shape. (FRANCO ALBINI)

Lovely mid-century round stool in bamboo, rattan and wicker. Franco Albini designed this piece in Italy during the 1960s. This pouf is made in a gorgeous combination of curved bambo...

Gorgeous mid-century round bamboo & wicker stool. Franco Albini designed this piece in Italy during the 1960s. The pouf features a beautiful combination of curved bamboo, rattan a...

Rattan ottoman / pouf with upholstered cushion insert. The ottoman has a wonderful architectural quality to with its array of constrction details. Golden tones to the rattan from age.