Europe

This Dutch table cabinet, also known as a cross-legged cabinet, is made of oak and has a deep, almost black finish, which suggests a traditional treatment such as ebonized stain or dark varnish. The cabinet stands on a distinctive base with four turned and faceted legs, connected by an elegantly curved stretcher and ending in ball feet. This type of base is characteristic of cross-legged cabinets. The upper section features two doors with molded panels and a cornice with a clean yet subtle profile. The gilded hardware on the drawers and doors adds a stately and luxurious appearance. The cabinet is removable, making transport and installation significantly easier. Additionally, its design makes it particularly suitable for housing a television. Thanks to the special hinges and their strategic placement, the doors can be fully opened without obstructing the view. Inside, there is space for a television with a maximum width of 48.2 inches and a height of 27 inches. The interior is finished in the same deep, dark color as the exterior, ensuring a uniform and elegant appearance. This cabinet was crafted in the Dutch Baroque style and is likely from the period between 1680 and 1720. The Dutch Baroque style is characterized by a restrained yet elegant design, where functionality and durability go hand in hand with refined details. This piece exhibits typical Baroque features such as the heavily molded cornice, the solid presence of the upper section, the use of dark wood tones, and the expressive shape of the base. This type of cabinet was made during the late Dutch Golden Age, a time when prosperity still had a significant influence on furniture design. During this period, cross-legged cabinets were highly sought after by the affluent bourgeoisie and institutions such as city halls and council offices, where they were used for securely storing important documents, money chests, and administrative records. Dutch furniture makers were among the most influential in Europe at the time, exporting their craftsmanship to countries like England and Germany. The use of dark oak furniture...

Magnificent fossil, ammonite, France, Prehistoric, approximately 335 million years of existence. Height 55 cm, width 58 cm.

Remembering the magic of everyday life moments in the art of David Teniers: The art of David Teniers the Younger (1610–1690) coincided with the heyday of the Flemish Baroque and captured a great variety of motifs of his time. In this painting of a seemingly simple peasant scene lies keys to understanding both the imaginative mind of Teniers as well as why this time period produced some of the most iconic works in all of art history.  As indicated by the name, Teniers was more or less born into his profession. As the son of David Teniers the elder, himself a painter who studied under Rubens, the younger David received training in art from a very young age and had no less than three brothers who also became painters. Because of his father’s frequent financial failures that even at times saw him imprisoned, David the younger helped to rescue the family from ruin through painting copies of old masters. Essentially, the young Teniers was confronted with painting as both a passion and creative expression as well as a necessity during difficult times, an experience that would shape much of his capacity and sensitivity in his coming life. Despite the hardships, the talent and determination of Teniers was recognized and quickly expanded his possibilities. He had already spent time in France and possibly also England when he was hired by his father’s former teacher Rubens to help with a prestigious commission with mythological paintings, now considered lost, for Philip IV the king Spain. In 1644–54 Teniers was appointed dean of the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke, manifesting his esteemed position within the artistic community. A few years afterwards he took an important step when relocating to Brussels, where Teniers yet again found new career opportunities that would prove to be very successful. As the keeper of the collections of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm, a role similar to what we now refer to as an art advisor, Teniers purchased hundreds of important artworks that manifested the prominent status of the Archduke’s collection while at the same time providing an unusual access to inspiration and knowledge for Teniers himself. Since he kept on painting during the same time, his creative scope must have seemed almost bewildering in the great variety of images and stories that he surrounded himself with.  Regardless of how glamorous and culturally stimulating the career of Teniers was, he was as open to the charm and existential importance of everyday life as he was to works of great masters and luxurious collectibles. In his impressive repertoire of genres with everything from exquisite royal portraits, interiors, landscapes and history paintings he always added something new and inventive, highlighting the possibilities of art and importance of an experimental and intuitive mind. It is difficult to single out one aspect or genre to summarize his legacy, since it lies much more in the broad virtuosity across many motifs, although he is particularly remembered for farm scenes and meticulously depicted interiors where other paintings and artworks are captured with an astonishing precision. However, the fact that he is still today one of the most known and celebrated names of the Dutch Golden Age is a proof to the magic of his work, which continues to spark dialogue and wonder in the contemporary viewer of his works. The farm boy in the field in this painting, which likely dates to the mature part of his career, is a wonderful entry into the mind of Teniers. In the tightly cropped motif, we see him standing right in the middle of the busy harvest when men, women and everyone capable were sent out in the field to collect the crop that formed the very core of their diet and survival. In the background we see a fresh blue sky interspersed with skillfully painted clouds, some trees reaching their autumnal colours and in the far distance the glimpse of a small church and village. The presence of a church in a landscape, so typical of Dutch art, served both a symbolic and visual function as a representation of faith while at the same time defining scale and distance. In the field, the work is in full action with the farmers spread out in various positions, all in the midst of hard and sweaty labour. While they are portrayed as having nothing else than the work on their mind, our farm boy seems to have his attention directed elsewhere. Standing there with his white, half open shirt, flowy curls and strong, sturdy body; his gaze is directed away, out of the picture and the scythes in his hands. He looks almost smirking, expressed with tremendous subtlety in the slight smile of his lips and big eyes, being just in the middle of losing focus on the work. What is it that steals his attention? What has he seen, or realized, or felt – to break him free of the arduous task of harvesting, if but for a moment? Here starts the wondering and the questions that are the hallmark of a great piece of art. Instead of explicitly locking in the motif in overly clear symbolism Teniers has chosen an open ended, subtle yet striking moment for us to consider. While it of course can be related to numerous other farm scene depictions of this time, and clever usages of gazes and real-life scenes to underscore various moral or symbolic meanings, the painting can be much more of a contemplation than an explanation or illustration. The ordinary nature and understated yet emotionally textured composition of the motif gives greater space for our own reactions and thoughts. Has he seen a pretty farm girl just passing by? Is he fed up with the farm life, joyously dreaming away for a minute, imagining another future? Or is he simply in need of distraction, looking away and ready for anything that can steal his attention? One quality that never seem to have escaped Teniers was that of curiosity. During all of his career he constantly investigated, expanded and experimented with not only the style and technique of painting, but with the vision of art itself. Being credited with more or less introducing farm motifs for a broader audience not only tells us of his ability to understand the demand for different motifs, but the sensitivity to transform seemingly ordinary parts of life into deep aesthetic experiences, far beyond their expected reach. The farm boy in this painting is, of course, exactly that. But with the help of one smirk the entire picture is charged with a different energy, awakening many contrasts and relationships between the calm landscape, the hard work and his own breach of effectivity, holding sharp scythes while thinking or seeing something else. It is no wonder Teniers chose to work with farm scenes as a way of investigating these intricate and delicate plays on expectations and surprises, clarity and ambivalence. It invites us to an appreciation of human everyday life that connects us with the people of 17th century...

18th century provincial Norwegian trestle table from the Baroque period in it's original finish. Ca 1750 Norway.

Great map of Ancient Greece. Showing the region of Thessaly, including Mount Olympus Drawn by J.D. Barbie Du Bocage Copper plate engraving by P.F Tardieu Original hand color...

1711 Star Chart of the Southern Sky - "Mappa Stellarum Australium quae in Altitudine Poli Borei Graduum" This beautiful star chart, engraved by Arnold van Westerhout in 1711, shows ...

This wonderful pair 18th century Delft blue & white lidded urns are hand crafted, decorated and painted with medallions with Classic Dutch flower and foliage motifs in blue. The co...

This superb Dutch Old Master portrait oil painting is attributed as by a follower of Dutch 17th century artist Gerrard van Honthorst. The original of this painting hangs in Wilton House, Wiltshire, home to the 18th Earl and Countess of Pembrokeshire. The painting was previously attributed to Van Dyck by early cataloguers, but after exhaustive comparisons with the two Honthorst brothers' works, it was concluded that Gerrard van Honthorst was the artist who painted the original in Wilton House. Our painting was painted circa 1695 by a follower of Gerrard Honthorst. It was sold to us as circle of Cornelius Johnson. The sitter is Prince Rupert of the Rhine, Duke of Cumberland, Earl of Holderness (1619-1682). He was an English army officer, admiral, scientist, and colonial governor. He first came to prominence as a Royalist cavalry commander during the English Civil War. Rupert was the third son of the German...

Guido Reni (Bologna, Italy, 1575 – 1642) Title: Masculine Head Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: without frame 44.7 × 51.2 cm – with frame 62.8 x 68.3 x 5.5 cm Expertise by Claudio...

A scarce and small ancient Roman gold Medusa cameo ring, circa 2nd to 3rd century AD. The carved layered onyx gemstone is white in colour and depicts the bust of Medusa engraved wit...

Dutch painter (18th-19th century) - The spanking. 60 x 99 cm without frame, 67 x 106 cm with frame. Antique oil painting on panel, without frame. Condition report: Wooden support ...

The workshop of Guido Reni (Bologna, 1575 - Bologna, 1642) The Virgin at Prayer (or Mater dolorosa) Oil on canvas 77 x 64 cm, framed 97 x 83 cm. The Madonna of our canvas is depict...

Early religious work of art, presented in the original antique frame. This beautiful and uplifting portrait of Saint Joseph holding hands with the child Jesus is an oil on canvas an...

A Good Quality 18th Century, Chippendale Period, Georgian Mahogany Desk Chair, Or Armchair, Having Attractive Pierced And Shaped Splat To ...

A wonderful example of a Cretaceous mosasaur. The original Halisaurus arambourgi mosasaur mandibles and vertebrae, measuring 2.9ft, include a well-preserved, near-complete skull, low...

Resembling an infinity sign, this whole geode is a stunning and rich piece, full of mineralogical information. The outer layer is basalt, the interior amethyst crystals, and at the h...

A Roman gold ring depicting a bearded man facing right. The figure is made in a naturalistic manner, with short hair and a beard. He has a detailed face with a long, straight nose. T...

1106 - a very beautiful 18th century Aubusson tapestry with very pretty color.

Late 18th century oak cupboard, The top part has two doors with fielded panels. The lower part has four drawers with brass handles. The cabin...

Dutch Delftware pouring jug with soft blue decoration of a chinoiserie landscape with persons. The neck with two stylised flowers above a lambrequin border at the neck, the handle wi...

Original Walnut Chest of Drawers with Inlaid Top – Restored & Hand-Polished 1740-1750 Beautiful antique walnut chest of drawers featuring an inlaid top with two decorative panels. B...

17th Century Italian School Oil on Canvas - Soldiers and Travellers Resting by a Rocky Cove The painting carries a plaque with the name of the attributed artist Salvator Rosa (1615-...

Roman School 17th - 18th century Circle of Giovanni Battista Salvi, known as Sassoferrato (Sassoferrato 1609 - Rome 1685) Virgin at Prayer Oil on canvas 48 x 40 cm. Splendid frame ...

Beige limestone fireplace mantel in great condition and with some artempo details. Unique architectural element from French provincial interior. Louis XVI period, 18th century. Meas...

18th century Altar Modell, South Germany, with original painting, wood A rare altar model with original painting, in the middle Jesus Christus and on the ...

This exquisite Italian antique bench, crafted in the late 18th century during the Louis XVI era, embodies the elegance and simplicity characteristic of this historical period. Its de...

Splendid brass door handle in concave round form Measuring diameter 9.8 x 11.2 total of the two handles

Hyacinthe Rigaud (Perpignan 1659 - Paris 1743) School of Portrait of a gentleman in armour: Joseph Jean Raymond de Lasbordes, Officer of the “Régiment des Landes” (infantry regime...

Antique lacquered wood wall paneling complete with two double-sided doors. It features panels with rich leafy paintings and figures of young musicians framed by darker colored wavy m...

Beautiful 18th century French Louis XIV period fireback with a coat of arms. The date of production, 1732, is also cast in the fireback. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a ...

After Hendrick MOMMERS (1623-1693) Haarlem Vegetable Market c1750 An early copy c1750, of an entertaining Dutch vegetable market scene in an Italianate landscape. The original was p...

Antique reliquary locket pendant 18th century in 18 karat rose gold. On one side, the pendant is decorated with a miniature on vellum depicting Saint ...

A fine French 18th century brass-mounted mahogany extending drop-leaf dining table with Jacob style legs, with two leaves. 73 cm high, 165 cm. Diameter, each leaf 62 cm. Wide. With...

N.2 antique double doors, made of solid wood and lacquered green on the bottom with the addition of painted panels, lacquered back without paintings. Without frame they can be instal...

George III amazing cabinet desk or secretary in mahogany wood, brass and leather with a drawers attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, circa 1780. The secretary in the photo was exhib...

A Very Good Quality, Extremely Well Matched, Pair Of Late 18th Century, George III Period, Mahogany Bedside Night Tables, Or Tray Top Commodes, Having Galleried Tops With Pierced Han...

Roman School, 17th century Madonna and Child Oil on copper, 15 x 11 cm Framed, 26 x 22 cm The small copper on display here depicts the Madonna and Child against a dark background...

Largest collection of Portuguese tiles in the world 18th century Portuguese " Azulejos " River Scene" Measures: 181cm x 087cm 78 tiles Important note: This panel is with the tiles...

The Allegorical Winged Nude Lady, adorned with the attributes of Spring French School, 18th century (Rococo period) oil painting on canvas, unframed canvas: 30 x 52 inches provenance...

Madonna and Child with St. John the Baptist Italian artist, 18th century, after the earlier painting by Raphael oil on wood panel, framed in an Empire, gilt moulded frame Framed: 23 ...

A wonderful early 18th-century Queen Anne period walnut chest on stand/highboy, displaying its original untouched colour and patina. It is structurally sound with smoothly running dr...

A wonderful 16th century draped female torso in classical style. Made in France under Italian Renaissance influence this female torso is finely sculpted with great detail to the stol...

This is a stunning half geode with a shape often referred to by collectors as a “chapel” or “cathedral”, due to the elongated shape that occurred millions of years ago when trapped b...

Flemish school of the 16th century Allegory of Africa
After The Allegories of the Continents by Maerten de Vos (engraving by Adriaen Collaert)
 Oil on copper
 Inscription: "Giulio Ro...

A highly impressive, eighteen light ormolu mounted and cut glass chandelier. The turquoise opalescent baluster stem with foliated mounts supporting a reed corona and the central vase...

Superb 18th century Welsh dresser in oak Very beautiful dresser from the Wales region (England), which is rare and uncommon It is composed o...

An impressive 18th Century mahogany bookcase, possibly Henry Hill of Marlborough, with concave cornice and dentil moulding above a pair ...

James Seymour (1702-1752) A Standing Leap at a Gate Mezzotint with hand colouring Image size 10 x 14 in Framed size 16 1/2 x 20 in James Seymour was an English artist renowned for h...

This exquisite perfect-imperfaction 17th-century fireplace surround is a testament to craftsmanship and history. Fashioned from luxurious black-grey marble with delicate white veinin...

Oriented Stone Meteorite Chondrite 5.00 kg Detached from its parent body by a mighty impact, this large, oriented Meteorite travelled over a hu...

Sharing with you this very nice example of 18th century porcelain. Dating to around 1740-1750. Nicely decorated. Condition 1 line from rim. Size: 17x7.7CM DiameterxHeight Period ...

This exquisite early 17th-century Italian oil painting, which probably originated in Bologna, Italy, depicts the Madonna reading. It’s stylistically reminiscent of works by Lorenzo C...

Beautiful rough cast iron antique fireback from the 18th century. The with rope decorated edges are at some point 2 inch (5 cm) think. From the original 9 "fleur the lis" symbols o...

Workshop of Francesco De Mura (Naples, 1696 – Naples, 1782) Alexander the Great at the tomb of Achilles Oil on canvas 74 x 99 cm. - Framed 85 x 113 cm. A fine example of mid-...

An important pair of gold Hellenistic earrings, each earring with a disc centrally decorated with a four-tiered flower-head with convex petals with twisted wire decorated edges, surr...

This is an antique secretaire cabinet. An English, mahogany chest of drawers with drop front writing desk, dating to the Georgian period, ci...

A historic children's chair from the 1700s, made of solid oak. Well-used and aged, with visible wear that reflects its long history. A simple yet authentic piece of early farmhouse f...

Wonderful image of a bust of Alexander The Great Copper-plate engravings Published by Monaldini, Rome, 1776 Good quality wove paper Free shipping  

Wonderful image of classical Roman masks Copper-plate engravings Published by Monaldini, Rome, 1776 Good quality wove paper Free shipping  

The 39-year-old gentleman had himself portrayed as an aristocrat in an idyllic landscape. At the time, parks and forests were associated with the nobility's lands and pastimes. The s...