European Decorative Art

Hand carved during the reign of Louis XVI, this linden wood and oak plaque was originally a boiserie panel that would have adorned the wall of a French manor...

A fine mythological etching by the great Italian engraver Antonio Tempesta (Florence, 1555 – Rome, 5 August 1630) printed by François L'Anglois or Langlois (12 May 1589 (baptised) – 13 January 1647),also called F. L. D. Ciartres (" Francois Langlois from Chartres"). Beautiful sheet , very sharp . The dimensions below are inclusive of the frame, the print without the frame measures 27x19 cm Antonio Tempesta, also called il Tempestino (1555 – 5 August 1630), was an Italian painter and engraver, whose art acted as a point of connection between Baroque Rome and the culture of Antwerp. Much of his work depicts major battles and historical figures. He was born and trained in Florence and painted in a variety of styles, influenced to some degree by "Counter-Maniera" or Counter-Mannerism. He enrolled in the Florentine Accademia delle Arti del Disegno in 1576. He was a pupil of Santi di Tito, then of the Flemish painter Joannes Stradanus. He was part of the large team of artists working under Giorgio Vasari on the interior decoration of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. His favourite subjects were battles, cavalcades, and processions. He relocated to Rome, where he associated with artists from the Habsburg Netherlands, which may have led to his facility with landscape painting. Among his followers was Marzio di Colantonio. Tempesta and the Flemish painter Matthijs Bril were commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII to paint wide panoramas of the Procession to Transfer the Relics of St. Gregory of Nazianzus (1572) for the loggias on the third floor of the Vatican Palace. He completed frescoes in the Palazzina Gambara at the Villa Lante in Bagnaia (1578-1609). From 1579–83, Tempesta participated in the decoration of the Villa Farnese in Caprarola, notably of this villa's Scala Regia. He is also known to have collaborated on frescoes in the Villa d'Este at Tivoli and the Palazzina Gamara at Villa Lante, Bagnaia. He painted a series of turbulent and crowded battle scenes for the Medici. He also completed a series of engravings on outdoor courtly hunting scenes. Tempesta painted frescoes for the Palazzos Colonna, the Doria Pamphilj, and for the Marchese Giustiniani in his Roman palace, where Tempesta collaborated with Paul Bril, and at Bassano di Sutri. He painted a Massacre of the Innocents for the church of Santo Stefano Rotondo in Rome. Tempesta is now best known as a printmaker in etching and engraving. He also left numerous etchings, among them: Plates from the Old Testament; twenty-four plates from the Life of St. Anthony; a set of 150 prints from Ovid’s Metamorphoses; 13 plates on The Labours of Hercules and four plates on respectively The ages of man; The entry of Alexander into Babylon; Diana and Actaon, and The crucifixion (1612). In 1612 he engraved a series of plates under the title "Batavorum cum Romanis Bellum" after designs of the Netherlandish artist Otto van Veen, also known as Vaenius (1556-1629) and court painter to Alessandro Farnese. Van Veen was influenced by the Italian mannerists but had developed his own style anticipating the Flemish baroque of his pupil Peter Paul Rubens. The series consists of 36 numbered engraved plates and illustrates the armed struggle between the ancient Dutch tribes and their Roman oppressors as narrated in Tacitus' Histories. Each plate bears at the bottom an engraved legend in Flemish and in Latin while a detailed explanation is printed on the otherwise blank verso. Plate I, signed 'Ant.Tempesta f. Anno 1611', shows 'Roma' and 'Batavia' in battle dress with respective scenic backgrounds, symbolizing the two nations. Fifteen other plates bear Tempesta's monogram. The plates depict heroic events, sieges, and battle scenes. This historicist work was very popular in its time. Tempesta also drew many designs for tapestries. François L’Anglois or Langlois (12 May 1589 (baptised) – 13 January 1647), also called F. L. D. Ciartres ("François Langlois from Chartres"), was a French print publisher, print seller, engraver, bookseller, art dealer, and painter. He is widely considered to have been the first important print publisher in France and to have contributed significantly to spreading awareness of contemporary artists' work throughout Europe. François L’Anglois was born in Chartres and baptised there on 12 May 1589. He visited Italy on several occasions: Rome in 1613 and 1614 and Genoa, Florence, and Rome again in 1621. On these trips he met Anthony van Dyck and Claude Vignon, who both painted his portrait. He also became acquainted with the engravers Stefano della Bella and François Collignon. It was probably around this time that he acquired the nickname of Chartres (Ciartres in Italian). In 1624–1625 he was associated with Vignon as an art dealer (paintings) and acted as a print collector for Thomas Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel, and Charles I of England...

A fabulous pair of 18th century doors from the Catalan region of Spain. Terrific painted finish and original hardware. Wonderful to build in or as wall mounted artwork.

17th century Italian painting of Jesus and Mary adorned with an 18th century Italian gold leaf pediment and bejeweled with green sapphires, carnelian pebbles, garnet, and fluorite. The painting depicts Christ inside of the Virgin Mary as he is yet to be born while wearing a crown and two angels crown Mary as well. The picture of the Madonna predicting the upcoming birth of Christ is an important work done by an unknown artist. The precious gems perfectly match the colors of the painting. The historic painting...

Large manuscript sheet with Gregorian Chant on parchment "Sacerdos In Eternum" Gregorian Chant composition book sheet as wall decoration, Spain before XVth century...

Beautiful etching representing the classic religious subject of the "Adoration of the Magi" by the Baroque painter and engraver Pietro Testa known as il Lucchesino. The print derives from an oil on canvas of the same name now in Montpelier. Identified by the TPL monogram on the right and the dedication signature. Paolo Bellini in the book "L'opera incisa di Pietro Testa" (The engraving work of Pietro Testa) ,published in 1976 by Neri Pozza in Vicenza, identifies this work as an example of the third state of three since, respect to the second state, the address of Gio Giacomo Rossi is added . In the lower margin there is the dedication in Latin to: Most illustrious and most reverend (cardinal) Gerolamo Bonvisi, Cleric of the Apostolic Chamber, D.D. The star on the left often blushes with the light of evil / Kings live here so that they recognize the Lord, / happy face good star shines benignly./ Petrus Testa Pietro Testa (1611–1650) was an Italian High Baroque artist active in Rome. He is best known as a printmaker and draftsman. He was born in Lucca, and thus is sometimes called il Lucchesino. He moved to Rome early in life. One source states he was ejected from the Cortona studio in 1631, soon after joining the workshop. Others state Testa trained under Pietro Paolini or under Domenichino, for whom he worked under the patronage of Cassiano dal Pozzo. He was friends with Nicolas Poussin and Francesco Mola. Some of his etchings, which often include work in drypoint, have a fantastic quality reminiscent of Jacques Callot, or embellishments of his Genoese contemporary Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione and even presciently suggest William Blake. His Sacrifice of Iphigenia appears to have influenced Tiepolo's rendition at Villa Valmarana Ai Nani in Vicenza. His early prints, from the 1630s, were often religious and were influenced by Federico Barocci...

An antique rectangular mirror inscribed in a Pinewood, gilded frame adorned with water leaves and pearl friezes, in good condition. The mirror is consisting its original mirror glass...

A mid-18th-century Italian terracotta relief of the Virgin & Child appearing to St Philip Neri In a silver filigree, gilt-bronze and gilt-copper-mounted, lapis lazuli and wood frame. Known as the ‘Apostle of Rome’ due to his labours amongst the sick and poor of the city, Philip Neri (1515-1595) became an influential figure of the Counter-Reformation. Many miracles were attributed to him, and he was beatified by Paul V in 1615. His popularity and place in the folklore of Rome created a demand for his depiction within the church. For example, Carlo Maratta’s painting for San Giovanni dei Fiorentini, the preliminary study for which bears relation to the present composition (Royal Collection, inv. 905553). The fresh and freely modeled handling of the present relief is in the tradition of Giovanni Antonio Mazzuoli’s (1644-1706) small-scale modelli for altarpieces (C. Sisi and G. Gentilini, La Scultura : bozzetti in terracotta, piccoli marmi e altre sculture dal XIV al XX secolo, Florence, 1989, nos. 92-95). Additional information: Origin: Italy Period: Circa 1750, 18th Century Style: Religious, The Virgin and...

An antique rectangular mirror inscribed in a Pinewwood frame, gilded, the pediment formed by an openwork flower basket spilling sinuous gar...

" Ceres and Phytalus" To left, Phytalus, kneeling, receives the fig tree from the goddess Ceres, standing to right, as a reward for his hospitality. Etching and drypoint, circa 1662...

18th Century front panel of an altar. This panel is originally from the private chapel of an important house in Montelimar. With beautiful decorative stitched floral design with fl...

Fabulous handwritten and illuminated book page. Beautiful period piece with gorgeous faded colors and typical gilded Gothic initials, France, 15th ce...

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original 17th century Dutch, oil on canvas painting of a noble gentleman. The condition of the oil is very good, the frame is distr...

17th century, Roman School Mystical marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria Oil on canvas, 32 x 23 cm Frame cm 45 x 36 The saint is depicted in front of the Virgin holding th...

George Edwards Set of Twelve Parrot Engravings with chinoiserie Frames, Natural History of Birds, Engraved by Georg Dionysius Ehret, Mid-18th cent...

A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian rectangular wall mirror with its original mirror glass and blue color paint, made of handcrafted gilded Pinewood, in good condition. The wall decor ...

Architectural Capriccio of Roman Ancient Ruins with Figures. Italian, 18th century large painting in oil on canvas is from the school of Giovan...

"Arch dedicated to Hercules" and "Arch dedicated to Bellerophon" Splendid and very rare etchings belonging to a suite of subjects executed for the preparations of the "Celebrations for the entry into Antwerp of the Cardinal-Infante Ferdinando of Habsburg-Spain on 17 April 1635". The sketches for the decorations were all drawn by Sir Peter Paul Rubens and the execution of the etchings was entrusted to Van Thulden. Bottom left: P.P. Rubens. Bottom right: G. Gervatius (who was commissioned to bring together the illustrations of the arches in a special volume) and Van Thulden. Laid paper with watermark - copper imprint - margins - excellent condition. At the end of 1634 Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) was invited to make a series of drawings to decorate the city of Antwerp on the occasion of the solemn entry of the infant cardinal Ferdinand of Habsburg (1609-1641) who, after his death of Archduchess Isabella Clara Eugenia (1633), Spanish governor of the southern Netherlands, had been elected as his successor. Generally in these circumstances, the itinerary was articulated through a series of stations and the city - in its main urban hubs - was adorned with decorations and ephemeral apparatuses which, without solution of continuity, covered the facades of the palaces, churches and convents facing the parade axis of the celebratory itinerary, testifying to the participatory role of the various public and private institutions that took part in the feast1. As had happened for the entrances of Charles V in 1520, of Philip II in 1549 and of the archdukes Albert and Isabella in 1599, also in this case, on 17 April 1635, the most important streets and squares of Antwerp were enriched with arrangements: temporary altars, four scenarios, a portico and large triumphal arches built in wood, over twenty meters height, decorated with paintings, sculptures and allegorical scenes. The references to the ancient alluded in this case to the greatness of the Habsburgs and to the merits of Ferdinand for the victory obtained over the Protestant armies of Sweden and their German allies. The choice to use the triumphal arch has its roots in the "city of the popes" and must be read as a connection with the triumphal and modern arches, with Rome and with the "possession" ceremony, placing the emphasis on its centuries-old use . In the elaboration of the drawings and sketches Rubens proved to be a true connoisseur of architecture, but what is most surprising about the artist is the casual use of architectural language and fidelity to sixteenth-century Roman models. In order for the memory of these works to be perpetuated over time, some artists were commissioned to etch the ephemeral apparatuses and, under the guidance of the painter Theodor van Thulden...

Late 18th Century, an antique Louis Seize period mirror in carved wood with gilded accents and foliage motifs, consisting its original mirror glass in good condition. Created in Fran...

Manner of Titian (Tiziano Vecelli - Italian, 1485-1576) An Oil on Canvas "Sleeping Cupid" within a gilt and black decorated gesso frame. A label on reve...

First used about 450-500 years ago to reflect and disperse heat from a fire, firebacks were often cast with themes specific to the homeowner. Sometimes the iron would feature a familial coat of arms, or in the case of this 17th century semis de fleur de lys fireback, decorative motifs would represent the owner. The rectangular fireback has an arched top and a thick multi-layered molding along all edges. In the center is a raised heraldic shield with multiple fleur de lys charges, arranged in a pattern known as semis. A crinkled ribbon transverses the top edge, beneath a papal mitre and crozier topped with a volute leaf, indicating that the original owner was possibly a member of the church, possibly even a bishop. The iron has developed a fascinating chalky gray patina and can still be used functionally in a traditional fireplace...

Interesting Flemish painting representing a characteristic tavern interior scene with characters intent on playing cards. Oil on canvas in a round shape. The frame is an original gil...

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...

Allegorical scenes with ebonized frames.

A wonderful set of four antique Dutch ‘Delft’ style manganese tiles hand decorated with biblical scenes probably originating from Rotterdam and dating f...

A rare find this 18th century Spanish altar front, original gilt on chestnut, hand painted, highly decorative wall art, different, genuine, love t...

Views of the Veneto Venetian school of the XVll century with original frames. Not relining. Inventory labels on the rack.

18th Century Dutch Delft Manganese Tiles Pictures of Rearing Horses, Rotterdam, Circa 1780 The pair of framed manganese six-tile pictures each depict a...

A very fine Italian 17th century oval oil on canvas "Head of Christ Crowned with Thorns" Circle of Pierre Mignard (French, 1612-1695) within...

Roman School, 17th century Angelica and Medoro engrave their names on the bark of a tree Oil on canvas, 65 x 48.5 cm The canvas depicts one of the most famous episodes of O...

Roman school of the 17th century Landscape with bridge - Christ and the Samaritan woman at the well Oil on canvas, cm 42 x 59,5 - With frame, cm 54, 5 x 71 cm The small canvas portrays a broad view of the city surrounded by a bucolic and lush landscape, probably a reinterpretation of the Roman countryside or the Agro. The fulcrum of the canvas is the bridge consisting of several bays beyond which stands a village. In the distance the landscape made of green mountains opens into what looks like a lake crossed by boats. The landscape is animated by the human presence; not only small and fleeting figurines intent on walking along earthy paths but also the representation, in the foreground, of an Gospel episode, that of Christ and the Samaritan woman at the well. The landscape can be clearly traced back to a painter trained on the examples of the great seventeenth-century Roman baroque landscape that sees in the Lunette Aldobrandini by Annibale Carracci but also in Claude Lorrain, Nicolas Poussin and Gaspar Doghet are its greatest achievers. If in the past, therefore, the landscape was considered the scenic background on which to project the representation of divine or human characters, in the seventeenth century it became an autonomous and codified pictorial genre. With Carracci comes the so-called ideal landscape: a mental reconstruction of a peaceful and harmonious nature in which the dream of a perfect communion with man is realized. In the wake of Hannibal, as mentioned, during the seventeenth century the "classic" Roman landscape knows a long and happy season by artists such as Domenichino, and the French Claude Lorrain, Nicolas Poussin and Gaspar Dughet. Lorrain investigates the Roman countryside in all its aspects, studying the variations in the different hours of the day, the seasons or weather conditions, but always nourished by a sense of bucolic Virgilian. With Poussin the approach becomes intellectual elaboration and sophisticated rational construction. From the examples of the great masters, the Roman Baroque season, from the middle of the century, saw the flourishing of several personalities who, with shots, but also important personal reworkings, led to further spread the genre. Among the personalities that can be compared to the work in question we cannot fail to mention Crescenzio Onofri (1634-1714), defined by Salerno as the only true pupil of Dughet, who then spread in Florence the taste of the Baroque landscape influencing Tuscan painters such as Panfi and Peruzzini. His paintings are in various Roman collections; such as, for example, the landscapes from the Sacchetti Collection and today at the Pinacoteca Capitolina. and those in the Almagià collection in Rome, others in the Palazzo di Montecitorio, but the most conspicuous group is in the Galleria Doria. In comparison we can mention the two passages of the National Gallery in London, the landscape with a bridge over the Antiquarian Market but also the design of the National Gallery of Art in Washington. In the work you can also find the influences of the art of Giovanni Francesco Grimaldi...

A rare antique finely worked French barometer with lyre shaped crest thermometer above a large hexagonal framed barometer. The Parisian décor piece is m...

18th century Italian hand painted on Alabaster and framed landscape painting.

A gold, antique Swedish Gustavian pair of wall mirrors made of hand crafted gilded wood with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. The Scandinavian wall décor...

An Italian carved and gilt wood wall plaque from the 18th century. This antique wall ornament from Italy is a nicely sized piece at roughly four ...

Framed 18th century Italian gold leaf angel head 'putto' wall relief sculpture with burgundy velvet and adorned with rubies and garnets. There is ...

Antique Dutch delft ceramic tile - hand crafted - hand painted cobalt blue glaze - unsigned - Holland / Netherlands - 17th century. Contained in a professional contemporary metal ...

A French carved-wood panel from the 18th century. This antique wall decoration from France has a primarily rectangular shape, with raised carvi...

17th century, Tuscan school Madonna and Child Oil on canvas, 31 x 21 cm With frame, cm 37,5 x 27,5 The pearly incarnations and the thoughtful play of looks between the Virgin, turned to the Son, and Questi, warmly open to the viewer, pour out the present painting with compositional perfection. Virginal fabrics become mottled at the folds, wrapping the Madonna in a thin vitreous mantle. The pastel colors, shining on the pink robe just tightened at the waist by a gold cord, enliven the faces of the divine couple in correspondence of the cheeks, lit by an orange warmth. Even the left hand of the Virgin, composed in perfect classical pose (Botticelli, Madonna with Child, 1467, Musée du Petit Palais, Avignon), is sprinkled with warmth thanks to the immediate touch with Christ. From the nimbus of the Mother a delicate luminous disk is effused, which takes back, in the most distant rays, the colour of the hair of the Son, from the tones of the sun. The Child Jesus is represented intent in a tender gesture of invitation with the right hand, while with the other he offers a universal blessing: with his hand he retracts the index and annular palms, extending the remaining three fingers, symbol of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The painting welcomes and re-elaborates that typically Tuscan formalism that boasted in the rest of Italy the constant appreciation by the most up-to-date artists and collectors. Arrangement, composition and mixing of colors place the canvas in the middle between the changing mannerist and the sculptural figures of Michelangelo, essential yardstick of comparison in terms of anatomical and expressionistic rendering. In the present, silvery and pinkish powders act as three-dimensional inducers to the Child’s mentioned musculature and to the vivid folds of the clothes, expertly deposited on the lunar whiteness of the skins. While these colours recall the equally brilliantly transparent colours of Pier Francesco Foschi...

18th century dark wax butter mold with habsburg imperial coat of arms, diameter 20 cm with engraved inscription IG S and M S 1737. Good age related condition, this lovely Mittle-...

A beautiful pair of burin engravings depicting "Saint Bernardo degli Uberti" and "Saint Hilary of Poitiers" two of the patron saints of the city included in the base of the cupola ( dome ) of Parma cathedral frescoed by Antonio Allegri known as Correggio (Correggio, August 1489-Correggio 5 March 1534) between 1524 and 1530. Admirable work by the great master in which his genius as a forerunner of the Baroque is fully seen. In 1642 Giovanni Battista Vanni etched a series of fifteen plates from Correggio's frescoes. Giovanni Battista Vanni was born in Pisa around 1599; he studied successively under Jacopo da Empoli, Aurelio Lomi, and Matteo Rosselli, and then became a disciple of Cristofano Allori. He is better known as an engraver than as a painter. From 1624 to 1632, he lived in Rome, then returning to Florence after visiting Venice. In addition to the series of prints...

Holy wall font. Bronze. Spain, 17th Century. Small font for holy water designed to be placed on a wall, which has a container decorated with moldings and architectural elements and...

18th Century Spanish hand-painted glazed ceramic plate from Triana.

A fine example of a mid-17th century steel halberd with pole arm, with a diamond shape thrusting point, axe blade with shallow concave cutting edge featuring ...

A pair of 18th century Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette Commemorative Pewter Plates This rare pair of 18th-century French pewter plates have been ...

This beautiful wood and leather gold floral on red screen has an English style with an Asian influence. Stunning!

18th Century Italian hand painted on alabaster and framed landscape painting.

Label on verso. From Grosser Atlas. The name Belgium comes from the ancient designation "Gallis Belgica". Figural decoration upper left. M. Seutter was a famed German mapmaker in the...

18th century Italian hand painted on Alabaster and framed landscape painting.

18th Century Italian hand-painted on alabaster and framed landscape painting.

Two antique clock hands from a German clock or bell tower. Gilded tin mounted on iron arms, all original and in great condition. Germany end of 18th century.

18th Century French faience Nevers plate. 2 birds on the center with a flowers border.

The Engravings are showing The Old town of Paris and Neuilly at the beginning. the condition of the Frames is good, and the Paper is in fair condition. You can see on the paper whic...

17th Century Italian Architectural Drawing of a Palazzo which has been done with pen and ink with a grey wash. Signed on reverse by Bart...

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of original copper plate prints dating to 1719 by Bernard De Montfauucon of Paris. Dom Bernard de Montfaucon, O.S.B. (French: [d? m?~fok?~]; 13 January 1655 – 21 December 1741) was a French Benedictine monk of the Congregation of Saint Maur. He was an astute scholar who founded the discipline of palaeography, as well as being an editor of works of the Fathers of the Church. He is regarded as one of the founders of the modern discipline of archaeology Montfaucon was born on 13 January 1655 in the Castle of Soulatgé, a small village in the southern town of Corbières, then in the ancient Province of Languedoc, now in the modern Department of Aude. Other sources claimed his birth date is in 16 January, the most accepted date. After one year he was moved to the Castle of Roquetaillade, residence of his family. When he was seven, he was sent to Limoux, to the college run by the Fathers of Christian Doctrine Montfaucon served in the French army as a volunteer and participated in the Franco-Dutch War of 1673. He was a captain of grenadiers and made two campaigns under the command of Marshall Turenne, participated in the Battle of Herbsthausen and fell ill in Saverne in Alsace. Because of his infectious illness he made a vow to Our Lady of Marceille to give one hundred livres to her sanctuary in Limoux and to become a monk, if he was able to return to his country as a result of her intervention. After the death of Montfaucon's father at the Château de Roquetaillade, in 1675 he entered the novitiate of the Benedictine monastery of Bream in Toulouse. There he learned several ancient languages: Greek, Hebrew, Chaldean, Syriac, and Coptic. In 1687 Montfaucon was called to the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and he started to work on an edition of the works of the Greek Church...

A set of 4 polychrome Dutch Delft tiles with ornamental design. Made in Haarlem, The Netherlands. Circa 1625 - 1650. The Netherlands Haarlem ...

A light-brown, green antique Austrian Baroque oil on canvas painting by Franz Xaver Hornöck in a hand crafted original black, partly gilded wooden frame, in good condition. The vinta...

Niche. Gilded and polychrome pine wood. Spain, 17th century. Niche made of carved and gilded pine wood, decorated with moldings, a venerated shape and plant elements in the upper p...