Renaissance Models and Miniatures

This rather charming miniature portrait dates to the early 19th century, during the reign of George III. The oil on copper miniature is housed in an ebonised timber frame and is case...

This unmounted cameo was hand carved out of shell in the last quarter of the 19th century. The face and the hairstyle are carved in Roman Revival manne...

J Dauphin Skull and Bone Light Holder, Copper with Blue Crystals, Paris 2008 Description: Skull and bone light holder in copper by J Dauphin, Paris, 2008. Blue crystal embellishments...

Bronze Skull Finial from the Base of a Crucifix. French or German, 17th century. Measurements 3.3 × 3.1 × 2.8 cm Cast in the form of a human skull, this small bronze would origina...

22.9 grams of 18K rose, yellow, green, & white gold, satin finish. 23 points of brown diamonds. 3 points of white diamonds. 5 points of pink sapphires. Size 6. One-of-a-kind. Made in...

THIS IS A SUPERB ANTIQUE AUSTRIAN VIENNA BRONZE OF A CAT OR KITTEN ON A SPOOL OF THREAD. This wonderful antique Austrian Vienna Bronze (Bronze de Vienne, Wiener Bronze, Cold Painted ...

THIS IS A WONDERFUL ANTIQUE 18TH - 19TH CENTURY HAND PAINTED PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF A LADY, A ROYAL WOMAN, WITH EXTRAORDINARY DETAILS AND OF SUPERB QUALITY - RARE!! THE PORTRAIT, WIT...

This oval cameo was carved in the 2nd quarter of the 19th century out of a two layered shell. It shows a profile bust of the great German poet and writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. ...

Four dazzling light pink rubies, eight fresh water pearls, hand carved agate with black enamel. Excellent craftsmanship as this is entirely carved of one piece of agate. Intricate de...

We love our wonderfully esoteric Grotesque man (or "other") crafted by a talented unknown carver in the 19th century from a chunk of the most desirable orange-red toned coral. Connoisseurs of literature or theater or the arts understand the term Grotesque as referring to fantastical, exaggerated or distorted representations, usually of the human face or figure. (The word "grotesque" originates from the Italian "grottesca", meaning of a cave" (grotto = cave in Italian) and refers to doubled, metamorphosed, or altered forms). Originally Italian, the concept of the Grotesque was used in French and German literature as well, and is a an integral part of English literature and theatre (The Theatre of the Grotesque preceded the Theatre of the Absurd) today. We find our Grotesque stickpin guy (gal) to be not grotesque at all but endearing, with his (or her) exaggerated features and droopy skin folds. And as a reference to classic theatre, this coral stickpin...

This is a beautiful scale model of the Ferrai hydroplane, Arno XI, raced by Nando Dell'Orto. Mounted, and of wood construction, with immense detail, varnished and featuring metal det...

This charming miniature has been painted in the last quarter of the 18th century. The painting shows a scene from Greek mythology. Paris is sitting in a garden with a shepherd's staff. He is placing an apple on the top of a column which carries the inscription ' à la plus belle ' ( for the most beautiful). Paris has to decide which of the three goddesses...