15th Century and Earlier Decorative Art

Ceramic hand painted large artwork of birds by Catalan artist Diaz Costa, circa 1960. Framed. Signed. In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving ...

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.

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

This outstanding fossilised skeleton is that of the ancestral crocodile species Steneosaurus bollensis that lived during the early Jurassic period. The skeleton, complete with armoured plates, has been exquisitely preserved and recovered from the Holzmaden Oil Shale of south Germany. The crocodile was once buried in fine, muddy sediment 195 million years ago at the bottom of the Tethys Ocean, which once existed between Europe and Africa. The calm, deep water provided a rare anoxic (without oxygen) environment, which prevented the skeleton from any significant decomposition before burial. The mud has since been compressed into oil shale, leaving the immense skeleton completely in-tact. This specimen is one of the few skeletons of Steneosaurus bollensis ever to be discovered. We can deduce much about the life of this reptile from the size and perfect preservation of the piece. Similar to present-day crocodiles, we can see that the two front limbs of the Steneosaurus are much shorter than the back two. This indicates that crocodile ancestors were bipedal; indeed, we believe that crocodiles evolved from the same reptile species as the dinosaurs and airborne pterosaurs. Dinosaurs ruled the lands during the late Triassic and early Jurassic. This made terrestrial life increasingly difficult for ancestral crocodiles, as there were many predators and prey was scarce. However, the seas were rich in fish, shellfish, starfish, crabs, squid… You can even see fossil belemnite guards (bullet shells of squid-like organisms) and the beautiful spiral shells of ammonites preserved around the crocodile skeleton...

A mounted banded fluorite Slab specimen Polished to one side and mounted on a carved wood base imitating a rock formation. Approx. H 6 1/4 in.(16 cm.) x W 8 in.(20.3 cm.) x ...

A collection of three antique textile fragments displayed in various frames from an estate collection in US. It consists of a blue on white woven panel presented in a metal frame. Th...

An important Egyptian sarcophagus mask from the Ptolemaic Period (711–332 B.C.), crafted with remarkable artistry and historical significance. Material: Made from stuccoed linen tex...

Two framed pre-Columbian textile fragments from Chancay culture (1000AD-1470AD) in nowadays Peru. Both panels are of a similar red background and possibly wove...

Two pre-Columbian textile fragments presented in wood frames. Handwoven in colored yarn, possibly camelid fibers, these pieces were from Inca period circa 15-16th century. One panel is a classic Inca weave that was likely part of a mantle or cape. It has a multi-panel design with eight-point stars alternating with stylized animal and homomorphic figures, steps-design and abstract scrolling patterns. The second one features a multiple stripe design also with eight-point star and a mysterious figure sandwiched between stripes of geometrical patterns and plain borders. Presenting in a thin gilt wood and a carved dark wood frame...

12th Century Spanish (Romanesque Period) gold gilded and polychromed carved-wood plaques of the four Evangelists; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the a...

An antique pre-Columbia textile panel from Chancay culture in Central coast of nowadays Peru. Chancay culture thrived in the late Intermediate period/ late Horizon circa AD. 1000-1470. The panel appears to be an intact shawl or head scarf, indicated by the overall integrity with the finished edges. It is a gauze-like linen/cotton open-square woven panel with supplemental embroidered horizontal bands that alternate between hooked diamond motifs and silhouettes of perched seabirds, one of the most favored animal forms in Chancay art. The color is quite vibrant with red contrasted by two shades of yellow on a darker brown background. The scarf such as this is thought to be associated with ceremonies and magic realm of death and burial practice. The textile is displayed on a dark line background under a newly made acrylic shadow box. Reference: For reading on the bird motifs in Chancay textile art, see page 141-183 of the book "Ancient...

This is a so-called hanging Buddha. (Called Kakebutsu in Japan) Kakebutsu is a combination of a circular plate and a Buddha statue, which was hung in shrines and temples. It can be s...

Immerse yourself in the artistic mastery of Catalan artist Diaz Costa with our vintage ceramic hand-painted artwork of a bird, circa 1960. This exquisite piece, framed and signed by ...

This incredible Roman micro-mosaic portrait of a woman shows off a woman warrior in all her glory. Not only interesting because of its age, but the subject...

Two ottoman iznik border tiles, circa 1600, each of rectangular form, the glazed fritware painted in underglaze turquoise, cobalt blue, black and terraco...

A nicely framed fragment of antique Pre-Columbian textile that depicts a stylized figure in a geometrical background. Linen backing. The original is l...

An intact shirt with motif of rows of feathers in several shades of mustard yellow on a red ground, depicted as they would have been attached in rows in an actual feather textile.