Europe

This recently rediscovered portrait of Santi di Tito depicts a Florentine senator, with a letter in his hand indicating that the painting was executed in 1574 when the sitter was 66 years old. On the basis of these clues, it is tempting to view it as a portrait of Bartolomeo Panciatichi, who was painted some thirty years before by Bronzino (1503 - 1572). While the treatment of the hands recalls the Florentine tradition of Mannerist portraits, the comparison with Bronzino's portrait illustrates Santi di Tito's search for greater realism, despite the stereotyped composition. 1. Santi di Tito, Counter-Reformation painter and portraitist Santi di Tito was the great painter of the Florentine Counter-Reformation. He proposed a new artistic language that broke away from Mannerism. Little is known about his training in Florence (perhaps alongside Bronzino or Baccio Bandinelli), but this period of training enabled him to join the Company of Saint Luke, the guild of Florentine painters, in 1554. Between 1560 and 1564, Santi di Tito spent time in Rome, where he frequented the workshop of Taddeo Zuccari. This stay had a fundamental influence on his work, thanks to the discovery of the late work of Raphael, but also his encounters with the painters Francesco Salviati and Federico Barocci. Around 1565, Santi di Tito returned to Florence, where he remained until the end of his life, dividing his talents between the creation of important religious paintings and countless portraits. He became one of the city's leading painters, distinguishing himself, in particular, in the creation of large religious compositions in which the spirit of the Counter-Reformation was reflected. In 1568, Santi di Tito became a member of the Confraternity of Saint Thomas Aquinas...

Antique painting depicting the Face of Christ as Salvator Mundi Flemish painter, 16th-17th century Oil on copper 22 x 18 cm./ framed 42 x ...

This remarkable late 16th-century fragment depicts Saint Madrona, the Patron Saint of Barcelona, Spain, holding a 15th-century carrack and the martyr’s palm frond. She stands before ...

Early Arista y cuenca tile made in Toledo. Tile decorated in renaissance with stylized flowers was probably made between 1550 and 1575.

Rare Large Grape or Cauldron in Solid Bronze, Europe, 16th Century. This is a rare and large museum quality 16th century grape or cauldron or cooking pot in solid bronze. A practi...

Devotional plaque with Saint Jerome. Bronze. Spanish school, 16th century. Rectangular devotional plaque made of bronze, with a frame and a ring at the top and a figurative decorati...

Provenance: Oudenaarde manufacture, Flanders, Mid-16th Century Tapestry wool and silk texture Dimensions 340/330 x 340/338cm Extremely rare piece In good condition Washed and lined It is a typical Flemish tapestry "with large leaves", well preserved, woven with green, yellow and brown yarns whose colors have remained fresh and intense. The market and collectors in recent decades have greatly re-evaluated tapestries with "large leaves", appreciating their high decorative value and ability to blend in with modern furnishings. Our tapestry belongs to a very particular subcategory of the "feuille de...

The relief was probably a door of the Sagrario. The piece follows a customary decoration in the tabernacles of the Renaissance and the Baroque. Compare, for example, with the sevente...

Umbrian-Roman Master (16th-17th century) - Praying Madonna. 84 x 58.5 cm without frame, 96 x 70.5 cm with frame. Antique oil painting on canvas, in wooden frame (not signed) Condi...

Spain / 16th century / cabinet / oak / Rustic / Antique A stunning Spanish antique highboard or cabinet in warm oak wood with two doors from the 16th century. The cabinet has its original keys and offers ample storage space behind the doors. 
This hand carved antique oak cabinet...

Large wedding chest in tinted and gilded walnut, the lid animated with a frieze of pearls, the sides with compartments, the belt decorated with gadroons. It rests on four claw feets.

A very impressive Westphalian Gothic chest or ‚Stollentruhe’, Westphalia, Germany, circa 1500-1550. Wrought iron mounted oak, partially carved. The monumental rectangular standing ch...

A Renaissance Bed Valance Spain or Italy 16th century From a set of bed hangings originally part of the decor from a castle in France A long impressive ...

These beautiful wall candle holders come from a private castle that was decorated in the style of the Gdansk Baroque. The candlesticks were bought in the 1960s in a Gdansk candlestic...

An extraordinarily rare and visually striking 16th-century Venetian iron treasure coffer, showcasing the height of Renaissance artistry and engineering. Crafted in the early to mid-1...

Elizabethan , Joined Oak , Court Cupboard Circa 1600 . Elizabethan carved cup and cover columns , original candle shelf , two upper doors and central panel beautifully inlaid with ho...

This Italian walnut chest called « cassone » is shaped as an antic sarcophagus. The beautiful patina and the plain lid bring to the fore the facade richly ornated with vegetal motifs...

16th Century Oil Painting of Holy Roman Emperor Frederic III, Antique Religious Oil Painting, Antique Royal King Oil Painting, Hans Burgkmair the older. 16th Century Oil Painting on board of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederic III by circle or school of Hans Burgkmair the older (1473 - 1531). Portrait of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederic III. (1415 – 1493). Oil on wooden panel. Described top right. In later attractive European gilt frame with black & gilt inner decoration, circa 18th Century. Hans Burgkmair was a German woodcut...

This pair of important Italian Renaissance marble baths belonged to the Warrior Pope Julius II, one of the most powerful and influential Pop...

School of Antonio Allegri, known as Correggio (Correggio c. 1489 - 1534) Attributable to Pomponio Allegri (Correggio, 1522 - Parma, 1593) Madonna and Child, Two Angels and John the B...

Rare carved Renaissance cabinet Period : 2nd half 16th century, ca. 1570 Origin : France, Burgundy or Languedoc This cabinet embody the produ...

Tudor table cut diamond ring. Set with a rectangular table cut old mine diamond in a closed back rubover setting with an approximate weight of 0...

Zeno Veronese (or Zeno from Verona) (Verona, 1484 - Salò (Bs) after 1542-before 1554) San Sebastiano and San Cristoforo Oils on canvases, 173 x 55 cm This pendant of works h...

This remarkable 16th-century Spanish altar cross is a stunning example of ecclesiastical silverwork. Crafted from solid silver, the cross features the traditional depiction of Christ...

In Medieval Europe and even more during the early 16th century fantastic beasts could be found in Bestiaries, a literary genre close to poetry. A bestiary used the characteristics of...

Rare early 16th century Mudejar tile of the so-called ‘Aristo’ or 'cuerda secca' technique Geometric design with a central intertwining cords. Very ornate decoration. This type of...

Portrait Of Lorenzo Suarez, 5th Count Of Corona, 16th Century School of Antonis Mor (1517-1577) Large Spanish School Old Master portrait of Lorenzo Suarez, Count of Corona, oil on ...

This magnificent drawing from the Venetian Renaissance intrigues us in many ways. It depicts an allegorical composition whose meaning partly escapes us: a veiled figure seated on a stone bench (which we have identified as Chastity), seems to be turning away from a woman's bust beside her, below which are two rabbits, a traditional allegory of fertility, but also sometimes of lust. This drawing, executed on blue paper, undoubtedly belongs to the Venetian Renaissance. The inscriptions on the back of the old mounting board indicate the various attributions considered by its last owner, the British painter and art historian Sir Lawrence Gowing. We have retained the attribution to Giuseppe Porta proposed by art historian John Arthur Gere as the most relevant. We were incredibly fortunate to find a hexagonal frame of a very similar format for this drawing, the upper corners of which were formerly cut (irregularly). This 17th-century Dutch frame comes from an aristocratic collection in Lombardy, and creates a kind of fascinating chase around this Venetian drawing...

Saint Michael the Archangel victorious over the Devil Tuscany - 16th century Oil on canvas 68 x 52 cm. - In frame 97 x 78 cm. Of great character is this interesting St. Michael the...

The Gigantas Pendant, an important late 16th century Renaissance baroque pearl, gold and enamelled pendant, with later alterations, depicting...

16th century, by Raffaello Sanzio (Urbino, 1483 - Rome, 1520) Madonna of the Carnations Measures: Oil on canvas 38 x 30 - with frame 59 x 52.5 cm The Madonna dei Garofani made b...

Beautiful primitive medieval stone panel, depicting a Madonna with child France before 1600 Weathered and small losses

Paolo di Giovanni Sogliani (Florence 1455-1522) Processional Cross Florence, around 1515 Enameled, chiseled, engraved, stippled, and gilded copper; wooden core ; Inscription: "OPA...

500-600 year old sandstone carving. The sculpture is depicting 'Two demons riding on elephants'. From Buddha pagoda / temple in Arakan, Burma, 1400-1500. Untouched and in original condition with great patina. Mounted on light sandstone plinth...

An antique 16th century style carved oak architectural panel with gothic tracery. Dating to circa 1560, this Tudor panel is original of the period, offeri...

Renaissance cabinet from Burgundy Or Lyon Region Origin : Burgundy Or Lyon, France Period : Second Half 16th Century, C. 1580 Height : 209cm Length : 184cm Depth : 71cm Good condition Walnut wood, original keys and keyholes Around the middle of the 16th century the conception and ornamentation of French furniture evolves. The start of major building projects, such as the castle of Fontainebleau, gives artists a new impulse. Inventive and rich formulas are developed there, before spreading to all of Europe thanks to engravings and printed leaflets. Furthermore, Italian artists working on such construction sites bring French artists and patrons a renewed taste for the Antique. Regarding the art of furnitures, the most complex scenes and figures are drawn from illustrated books, ornament and emblem compendiums and engraving compilations. Rather than copying those images the artisans feed their inspiration and decline the motifs in numerous variations. The ornamental grammar marks a return to the Antique : palm leaf, acanthus, egg-and-dart, greek, scroll, fluted pilaster… It is in Primaticcio’s and Il Rosso’s stuccos made around 1540-1550 that we have to look for the origin of leather cut-outs, masks, chimaeras, harpies, sheathed figures, fruit and flower garlands that soon enrich every pieces of French furniture. The structure of the pieces of furniture also evolve thanks to the re discovery of Antique architectures, rigorously used as a model. This cabinet presents an imposing structure and a rich and original decor exemplifying the production of the late 16th century, infused with Italian, Antique and Fontainebleau influences. It stands on a moulded base ornate with palm leaves. It opens with four door-leaves and two drawers in the belt. Six whimsical terms divide the facade. The lower body is horizontally divided by three sheathed female terms. The two standing on the lateral posts are topped with fruits while the body is covered by acanthus leaves carved with precision, belted at the waist. The term standing on the central door-jamb is crowned with laurel leaves and is draped in the Antique fashion. A wincing mask hides the key hole. The two door-leaves are centred by a beautiful mask carved in a strong relief. They wear stylised feathered headdress and are set on draperies. Straps, leather scrolls, acanthus leaves and a shell are spread around the masks. The recessed panels are secured in frames ornate with acanthus leaves. The belt is flanked by two large mouldings enriched with variations of acanthus leaves. The drawers are carved with choux bourguignons and palm leaf motifs minutely executed. The consoles between each drawer bear tormented wincing masks, showing horns as if they were fauns or imps. The upper body is framed by two male terms characterised by a strong and nervous musculature, their manhood hidden by drapes secured thanks to a winged lion head. The term on the left appears to be younger and is wincing while the one on the right has a beard. The central female term brings contrast with her youth and sensuality. As it is the case on the lower body, the key hole is hidden behind the mouth of a faun’s mask placed on the drapes barely covering the intimacy of the caryatid. The panels of the upper body present an idealised architecture comprising pilasters and sinuous broken pediments. The pilasters are flanked by two satyrs with goat legs. In the centre appears an important lion mask. The terms of the upper body support the cornice. The entablature carries palm leaves and roses alternating as well as an egg-and-dart frieze. The cornice is adorned with acanthus motifs. On the sides, the carving is executed flat. A central rose is surrounded by scrolls, flowers and choux bourguignons. We can admire the variety of the elements employed. The artist vary with great genius many different ornamental motifs : palm leaf, egg-and-dart, laurel leaf, roses, scrolls … But the artist went even further as each profile and each face is individualised and presents different features. You can take a look at the faces of the satyrs flanking the upper body’s panels. The talent of the artist is undeniable. It makes no doubt the patron who commissioned this cabinet was an aesthete looking for the greatest quality. The artist who authored this cabinet had a great mastery of composition both in the general design and in the individual panels. They probably drew inspiration from engravings and drawings made especially for the making of this piece of furniture or not. They seem to be familiar with the style of Jacques Androuet du Cerceau. Indeed, we can find in Du Cerceau’s engravings the same juxtapositions of leather cut-outs, masks and fruits. The terms and caryatids used on the facade could very well be inspired by his work as well. The cabinet-maker was also undoubtedly observant of Hugues Sambin, the most famous cabinet-maker and sculptor in the Burgundy of the time. Like Du Cerceau, Sambin left an important ensemble of models particularly useful for the design of cabinets. His publication De l’Oeuvre de la diversité des termes dont on use en architecture (1572) was an essential book for every artisan. All the motifs testify of the artisan’s high knowledge of forms as well as the precision of their tools : super imposition of ornamental elements, foliages, architectural cut-outs, flat and high reliefs alternating, palm leaves inscribed in circular spaces, wincing faces. It is also a testimony of the artisan’s familiarity with Italian and Fontainebleau productions. Because of the proficiency of the cabinet-maker in so many different models, this cabinet truly is a master-piece authored by the hand of an authentic master. The generous carvings executed with great rigour and virtuosity evoke an origin close to Burgundy and Lyon workshops. This cabinet was made by a master of the region during the Second French Renaissance. Literature BOCCADOR Jacqueline, Le mobilier français du Moyen-Âge à la Renaissance, Édition d’art Morelle Mayot, 1996 BOS Agnès (dir.), Mobilier du Moyen âge et de la Renaissance, La collection du musée du Louvre, Louvre éditions...

The Judgement of Paris Fontainebleau School, circa 1580 *see notes below oil painting on canvas, framed framed: 30 x 40 inches canvas: 27 x 37 inches Provenance: private collection, ...

Inkwell Calamelli workshop (attr.). Faenza, second half of the 16th century Height 4.33 in; length 8.07 in; depth 2.95 in (11 cm; 20.5 cm; 7.5 cm) Weight: 0.800 lb (363 g) State of conservation: some chipping to the top of the mask around the mouth. Handle glued, without any restorations; minor chips in some raised areas. This object has the shape of a foot wearing Greek-style footwear, as can be seen in some raised areas. The foot is anatomically modeled with bare toes, while the ankle is partially covered by the footwear. On the heel, there is a small circular handle to support the object. The mouth of the container is shaped like a mask. The interior, completely enameled, suggests that the piece was intended to be used as an inkwell or to contain some other liquid. The base, however, is not enamelled. The painted decoration, scant and brief, consists of rapid cobalt blue shading between the toes of the foot, with more precise emphasis on the nails. It is accompanied by yellow citrine accents to enhance the forms. The mask is painted with the tip of the brush, to accentuate the tense nature of the eyes and to accentuate their outline. Thin strokes of yellow-orange line the interior of the mouth. Since the Renaissance, this decoration has been referred to as "compendiaria" and it characterizes the period of production extending from the mid-16th century to approximately the middle of the following century. It significantly influenced tastes at the time. It evolved from the polychrome style "istoriato" and transformed into a new style that "summarized" (compendia), or condensed, the ornamentation of the works into a few colors, placing greater prominence on the shapes. It was often inspired by metal specimens. Since the Renaissance, this decoration has been referred to as "compendiaria" and it characterizes the period of production extending from the mid-16th century to approximately the middle of the following century. It significantly influenced tastes at the time. It evolved from the polychrome style "istoriato" and transformed into a new style that "summarized" (compendia), or condensed, the ornamentation of the works into a few colors, placing greater prominence on the shapes. It was often inspired by metal specimens. This artwork finds parallels in similar objects all characterized by this refined style and produced in the city of Faenza and other Italian centers starting from the mid-16th century. The closest comparable example in majolica is a foot acquired by the British Museum in 2011 (inv. 2011, 8008.1). This was previously published by Carmen Ravanelli Guidotti in 1996 and later by Dora Thornton in 2016 during the conference on Renaissance ceramics...

A quite large 16th century Italian so called 'coffre fort' . Coffers or chest like these were specifically made for cities or large villages to safegueard the gold and valuables. The...

A late 16th century oil on copper painting by Nicolò Cercignani, an Italian Old Masters artist of the late-Renaissance or Mannerist period, depicting the Raphaelesque transfiguration...

Elevate your collection with this breathtaking oil painting, "Adoration of the Magi," skillfully rendered on a magnificent 51x40 cm Cotognino Alabaster panel. This extraordinary piec...

Antique Religious Relief Sculpture, Poor Souls in Purgatory Sculpture, Sinners in Hell Sculpture, Antique Religious Carving, Antique Church Plaque, Antique Religious Panel, Antique P...

The Finding of Baby Moses Fontainebleau School, circa 1580's period oil painting on thick wood (walnut wood) panel, framed framed: 32.5 x 27 inches wood: 25 x 30 inches provenance: p...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, very large, Exhibition / Museum quality, hand carved 16th Century southern Italian...

Antique map titled 'Daniae Regni Typus' and 'Oldenburg Comit'. A nice example of Ortelius maps of Denmark and Oldenburg, which first appeared in the 1584 edition of his Theatrum Orbi...

SPANISH CHEST WITH ARCADE DESIGN ORIGIN: SPAIN PERIOD: LATE 15TH – EARLY 16TH CENTURY DIMENSIONS: Height: 61 cm
 Length: 135 cm
 Depth: 48 cm Chestnut wood 
Good condition This H...

Portrait of Henry IV, King of England (1367-1413), 16th Century English School Portrait - Early Oil On Panel Large 16th Century court portrait of Henry IV, King Of England (1367-14...

A RARE RENAISSANCE WALNUT CABINET WITH ITS FREESTANDING CARVED COLUMNS ORIGIN : FRANCE, BURGUNDY PERIOD : 16th CENTURY Height : 218 cm Length : 152 cm Depth : 67.5 cm Walnut Thi...

Oil on oak panel Image size: 20 1/2 x 23 1/2 inches (52 x 60 cm) Hand made frame Herri Met de Bles, also known as Henri Blès, Herri de Dinant and Herry de ...

Portrait Of Lucas Cranach The Elder (1472-1553), 16th Century German Renaissance School Large 16th Century German School portrait identified as Lucas Cranach The Elder, oil on canv...

XVI Century, Italian Renaissance wood chest. This important noble chest of the Tuscan Renaissance was built towards the end of the sixteenth centur...

A large fragment of Venetian Silk Velvet Dating from late 16th Century One silk selvage edge present Study / document piece. Historic time worn appeal. Please study photographs ...

Discover the beauty of this antique Indian wooden temple fragment, a remarkable 16th-17th century artifact showcasing traditional craftsmanship. Carved from solid wood, this exquisit...

Original lock and key This piece of furniture shows no recess on its upper part. It opens with four folding-doors and two drawers within the belt. The key bears the date 1524 above cross motifs. Burgundy and Lyon regions subordinated themselves to architecture in a different manner than the other french schools. Rather than using particularly columns and pediments pieces of furniture from Lyon borrow architecture’s organization principles and rigorous designs. On the upper body a strong feeling of balance and symmetry appears with the folding doors reliefs. Swags of flowers and fruits held with knot cloth centered by a man seating on his arms. Here profiles, masks and chou de Bourgogne mingle with the structuring scrolls. The two lateral terms wear draperies and the goddess Diana in the center wears a belt of fruits similar to Hugue Sambin’s designs (Termes de Diane et de Venus, 1554, BNF). The two palm-leaves enriched drawers and the alternating scrolls belt balance the weight of the cornice with its alternatings consoles and tops. The lower body is also adorned by three terms with a feminine one in the center, all three are wearing fruits on their heads. The folding doors are centered upon a motif of cut cuirs by a mask in high relief. Wearing a feathered tiara...

A rare carved walnut wardrobe opening with four door-leaves and two drawers in the lower part. The doors bear architectural views in low reliefs, fluted pilasters and Ionic capitals. Upper Body Two door-leaves with carved architectural perspectives open the wardrobe framed by three fluted pilasters with Ionic capitals. Each door-leaf depict two semi-circular arcades whose cornice and base shows a central vanishing point. Likewise the pavement’s lines act for the artisan as a way to create depth. The vaulting instead leads us to think the vanishing point has to be situated where the handle is, between the two complementaries reliefs. The elegant moulded belt hides an internal secret space, accessible through a moveable plank in the upper body. Lower Body Two door-leaves identical to those of the upper body framed by three fluted pilasters with Doric capitals. The base of the wardrobe opens with two large drawers. The sides also bear panels depicting architectural perspectives. The external pilasters share their Ionic capital with the facade’s pilasters. Thus we can observe on the wardrobe’s sides the capital’s lateral parts with the elegant volute specific to the Ionic order. This palace wardrobe is topped by an overlapping cornice standing on three consoles for the facade and two consoles on each sides. Placed right above the pilasters each console are adorned by fully expanded leaves. During the 15th century a major interest for architecture and perspective studies arises and influences patrons tastes. The work of great theorists such as Leon Battista Alberti...

An Unusual and Rare English ‘Memento Mori’ Carved Shrine with Two Human Skulls to the underside, a carved ‘Dragonfly’ Marble 16th / 17th Century England Size: 36cm high, 28cm w...

Tudor gold spinel set ring. Set to centre with a rectangular table cut red spinel in a closed back rubover setting with an approximate weight of 1.00 carats...

After Raphael Conestabile Madonna 1483 - 1520 Oil on canvas Image size: 8 x 8 inches (20.5 x 20.5 cm) Original ornate hand carved gilt frame Conestabile Madonna Made in compositiona...

The African Kuba Bwoom tribal mask is the oldest known mask, the Kuba bwoom mask. The materials used for the realization of the Mask are: Wood, colors and vibrates plants, caures, beads, animal hair. In dance it expresses exuberance and joy. The style is similar to that of the middle Kasai. This mask is a helmet with animal hair, carved with a very wide forehead and hollow cheeks that are announced by motifs or dashes and beads. The mouth of the mask is very pronounced carved in wood and then applied on the mask. To distinguish the forehead in different areas are used black and white beads to draw attention to other aspects of the face such as the nose and chin. The entire edge of the chin is surrounded by beads of various colors. The person wearing the mask cannot look because there are no holes for the eyes present; the mask must create the feeling of being blind. Some masks similar to the bwoom mask include the funny mask, the ram mask and initiation masks such as Nnup. The real Kuba masks...

Early Arista y cuenca tiles made in Toledo. Tile decorated in renaissance with stylized flowers, probably made between 1550 and 1575. I have four of them available, please reach o...