18th Century and Earlier Decorative Art

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...

An impressive early 17th century wood relief carving of the Three Divine Virtues After Jan Pietersz Saenredam and Hendrik Goltzius First quarter of the 17th century; Northern Netherlands Approximate size: 35.5 x 50 cm (without frame); 53 x 67 cm (with frame) The present carving, of Flemish origin and from the first quarter of the 17th century, was executed during the Golden Age of Dutch art. The relief depicts the figures of Pietas, Caritas and Fides: the divine virtues of Hope, Charity and Faith. Each of the Virtues is articulated with exceptional care and the skill of a talented hand. The composition is bursting with energy, emphasized by the active putti surrounding its central protagonist and the emergence of the figures in the foreground, silhouetted against a cityscape with the upper horizon framed by clouds and rays-of-glory. The relief’s design is indebted to late 16th century Mannerist influences shown in the expressive postures of the figures and the billowing hair of Charity. Other Flemish artists approached this theme like the painters, Maarten de Vos, Maarten van Heemskerck, et al. However, our particular carving is an amalgam of three individual compositions engraved by Jan Pietersz Saenredam in 1601, and based on the designs of his mentor and long-time collaborator, Hendrik Goltizius (presumably following inspired Latin prose conceived by the Haarlem Humanist, Cornelis Schonaeus). The relief is set in an elaborate checkered, wood-inlaid frame but its scale and shape suggest it probably once formed part of an elaborate Beeldenkast or impressive Dutch oak cupboard...

Wonderful print of Alexander Selkirk, the so called " Real Robinson Crusoe " Copper-plate engraving Published C.1780 Unframed.     

18th century Italian spolvero fresco pattern printed onto canvas and framed with an antique wood frame. Spolvero is an artistic method of transferring a design from a print to the p...

A superb antique 18th-Century Dutch Delft hand painted tile in a custom mahogany wood frame, circa 1750. This fine tile depicts a biblical figure, Moses with the Ten Commandments, in...

18th century Italian spolvero fresco pattern printed onto canvas and framed with an antique molding frame and citrine crystals. Spolvero is an artisti...

18th century Italian spolvero rococo scroll pattern printed onto canvas and framed with an fragment scroll frame and adorned with polished fossil agate coral. Spolvero is an artist...

18th century Italian spolvero fresco pattern printed onto canvas and framed with a custom frame and citrine crystals. Spolvero is an artistic method of transferring a design from a ...

18th century Italian spolvero fresco pattern printed onto canvas and framed with an antique molding frame and citrine crystals. Spolvero is an artisti...

18th century Italian spolvero "fruit and foliage" fresco pattern printed onto canvas and framed with an antique wood frame. Spolvero is an artistic method of transferring a design f...

Framed Copper Botanical Engraving by Doctor & Botanist Abraham Muntings, Published Lieden & Utrecht, C. 1696

Antique print, titled: 'Niobe in Hortis Mediceis.' - Statue of Niobe in Rome. In Greek mythology, Niobe was a daughter of Tantalus and Dione. From the 1660 Dutch edition of 'Icones ...

18th century Italian gilded church tablet adorned with faceted diamante stones. It reads, "Tabella dei Signori Amministratori del Santissimo Sacramento" which means, "Table of the Lo...

Original antique print of opossums. Originates from Bertuch's 'Bilderbuch für Kinder'. In 1790 Friedrich Justin Bertuch started his biggest book-project ever. Issued in 12 volumes it...

Antique portrait titled 'Thomas Lord Fairfax'. A half length portrait of Thomas Fairfax turned slightly left but looking at the viewer, wearing armour and a white collar, all in a architectural oval with a flag leaning against he left above decorative vignette of a battle scene. Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Baron Fairfax of Cameron (January 17, 1612- November 12,1671), Parliamentary Commander-in-Chief. Perhaps the most accomplished Parliamentarian officer, Fairfax was appointed Lord General of the New Model Army after his victory at Marston Moor, 1644. His decisive string of victories, beginning with the battle of Naseby in 1645, won the Civil War for Parliament. Extremism alarmed him and he refused to serve on the court which tried the King or to lead the army into Scotland in 1650. He retired from public life until 1660, when he supported General Monck...

This 18th-century panel, crafted from nine earthenware tiles, showcases an intriguing depiction of a bird in a cage. The delicate white tiles contrast beautifully against the white b...

Wonderful marine print. Copper-plate engraving Published C.1780 Unframed.     

Antique print titled 'Les Pyramides de l'Egypte'. A vue d'optique of the pyramids of Egypt, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This is an optical print, also called 'vue optiq...

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...

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...

Fine English or American mahogany scalloped wall hanging salt box, having large penny mounting plate over sloped lid, the box with deeply scalloped body and molded base, good old sur...

Nice pastel portrait representing a young woman. Wonderful weathered wooden frame and its old glass, France, 18th century. Weathered, small losses.

Italy, late 18th Century Antique hand-coloured map of Venice. Measures: H 52 x W 59 cm.  

I will do my best to describe this beautiful set accurately! This is a set of 16th and 17th century framed engravings. The engravings are on paper. The plates were from, “Armamentari...

Antique print titled 'De Kerk der Mennonisten die men de Waterlanders noemt' and 'De Kerk der Mennonisten de Son genaemt'. This print depicts two church interiors in Amsterdam, The N...

Pair of framed antique 17th century Roman Catholic antiphonal music sheets, hand drawn on vellum with illuminated capitals. Measures: 28.25” x 1.75” ...

Antique portrait titled 'Serenissim, ac Potentissum, princeps Ludovicus XIII (..)'. Portrait of Louis XIII, King of France. Bust length with curled hair, moustache, lace collar, armo...

"Pablo Picasso Wall Rug For Desso" Carpet made by Dutch brand Desso under license from the estate of Pablo Picasso. It is edition 147 of 500. Made of wool. Depicts the 1964 pain...

Collection of nine 18th Century coral engravings. Mounted then framed in Italian wooden frames. Circa 1780.

Antique print titled 'De Banck van Leeningh'. View of the City Bank of Loan in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Also known as the Lombard, located on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal of Amsterda...

A charming petit-point needlework picture of floral design, in its original convex moulding frame. English, late 18th century.

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...

Set of 5 original antique botany prints from the work 'Botanica Pharmaceutica exhibens plantas officinalis quarum nomina indispensatoris recentur, cum Iconibus (..)' by A. Happe. The...

Antique print titled 'la petite Beccassine'. Hand colored engraving of a small snipe. This print originates from 'Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux' by Francois Nicolas Martinet, one of France’s foremost bird illustrators of the 18th century. Published in Paris from 1770 to 1786. It was a monumental effort to catalog 1035 known ornithological species of birds. A staff of 70 people, feverishly worked for an astounding 13 years to complete this amazing work by Francois Martinet and George LeClerc...

Set of 2 original antique botany prints from the work 'Botanica Pharmaceutica exhibens plantas officinalis quarum nomina indispensatoris recentur, cum Iconibus (..)' by A. Happe. The...

Rare Mid-1800s Antique Flemish Tapestry Fine Wool & Silk Green/Blue 5'2' x 5'3" 158cm x 160cm Circa 1790 "This is a very fine Authentic Antique Flemish Tapestry in Wool & Silk ...

Antique print titled 'Conterseytsel vande Oude Onder-Koning'. Old print depicting the ancient Viceroy of Guangdong. This print originates from 'Het gezantschap der Neêrlandtsche Oost...

Antique print titled 'Coupe sur la longueur d'une Maison d'Hiver (..)'. Copper engraving of a house in Greenland. This print originates from volume 18 of 'Histoire generale des voyag...

An exceptional high relief Renaissance Revival carved black Pietra Serena panel. The right facing profile bust of a lady in front of a garland of flowers and leaves suspended above ...

Antique print titled 'Les Murailles de Babylone'. A vue d'optique of the ancient city of Babylon. This is an optical print, also called 'vue optique' or 'vue d'optique', which were m...

Antique print titled 'Phare de l'Egypte'. A vue d'optique of the lighthouse of Alexandria. Also called Pharos of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the most famous...

Original antique print of a bison. This print originates from 'Boeken op Google Play Beschryving van den Amerikaanschen gebulten stier, genaamd...

Antique print titled 'Het Slot te Heusden, op de linker syde en van achteren'. View of Heusden Castle, the Netherlands. Source unknown, to be determined. Published circa 1730. Art...

This print originates from ‘Biblia Sacra, dat is, de H. Schriftuer van het Oude, en het Nieuwe Testament, naer de laetste Roomsche keure der gemeine Latijnsche overzettinge, in neder...

Antique print titled 'Orchis antropomorphos (..)'. Old botany print depicting white stonecrop and other plants. Originates from the first Dutch editon of an interesting travel accoun...

Pair of hand colored engravings by Jacques Grasset de Sainte-Sauveur, 1797 Paris publication, 'Costumes de Different Pays', (Costumes of Different Countries). This pair depicting two...

A regence boulle marquetry ormolu-mounted bracket clock Our violin-shaped cartel is decorated with a marquetry Boulle with engraved brass decorated with windings, florets, cartridge...

Antique print titled 'Grotte remplie d'Idoles'. Copper engraving of the cave filled with idols on the banks of the Yenisei river. This print originates from volume 18 of 'Histoire ge...

Magnificent 18th century oval painting representing a lovely milk girl.

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...

Antique print titled 'Illyricus magno veles irae fluctuat cestu (..)'. Mezzotint of travellers being robbed by bandits. Artists and Engravers: Made by Georg Philipp Rugendas (166...

Set of 2 original antique botany prints from the work 'Botanica Pharmaceutica exhibens plantas officinalis quarum nomina indispensatoris recentur, cum Iconibus (..)' by A. Happe. The...

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...

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.

Tab LXX: This antique print shows various dog breeds. This print originates from: 'Historiae Naturalis De Quadrupetibus Libri I' by John Johnston, published ...

Antique print titled 'Leoena - Leo'. Original antique print of a lion and lioness. This print originates from 'Historiae Naturalis De Quadrupetibus Libri I' by John Johnston, published by Matthias Merian in 1657. John Johnston (or Johnstone, 1603-1675) was a descendant of a Scottish family...

Antique print titled 'Vue et Description du Cap de Bonne Esperance'. Striking view of the Cape of Good Hope, with Dutch ships in the harbor and Table Mountain in the background. A ni...

Antique print titled 'Nymphe de la Chasse'. Old print of a sculpture of Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Garden), Paris. It shows a hunting nymph. Source unknown, to be determined. ...