United Kingdom - Decorative Objects

This fascinating section of basalt perfectly illustrates how the precious amethyst appears in the tunnels of the underground mines of Artigas. Glistening deep purple crystals jump ...

A magnificent example of a gogotte formation composed of thick swirls and folds of sparkling sandstone. Discovered in the Oligocene sand dunes of Fontainebleau, France, formed circa 30 million years before present or later. The incredible, almost otherworldly appearance of gogottes may easily be mistaken for the work of a most talented artist. In fact, these sandstone sculptures are entirely natural in origin. They have been found in multiple locations but those from Fontainebleau, such as the present example, are the most remarkable. Thirty-five million years ago, a sea covered what is now the forest of Fontainebleau, and dunes of exceptionally fine and homogenous sand formed. As silica-rich water filtered through this sand, it turned into stone. The flow of water finely modelled the sandstone into the aesthetic concretions we now know as gogottes. These are rare and are only found sporadically several metres deep into the ground. They owe their sparkling white appearance to the extreme and unmatched purity of the Fontainebleau sand, sometimes reaching a composition of 99.9% silica. Each of them is unique – a masterpiece slowly fashioned by the hands of Nature. The intriguing name of “gogotte” was coined by French geologist Claude Guillemin (1923- 1994), who was inspired by the children’s book series Babar the Elephant. In one of the books, a group of monsters called Gogottes are shown hiding behind rocks. These rocks reminded Guillemin of the sandstone concretions...

Beautiful hand cast bronze patinated gecko paperweight. The polished details in the gecko's feet highlight the characteristic rose gold colour of bronze. Each of these geckos are ha...

Early 2000 "Pedone" (Pedestrian) a unique and very catching glass sculpture by Juan Ripolles executed in Berengo Studio glass Furnace in Murano Venice Italy. Blown glass fuchsia, yellow and dark gold. Juan Ripolles is a Spanish postwar and contemporary painter and glass artist born in 1932 His glass art works projects were mainly created at the Berengo furnace in Murano, exhibited through out the world in several private galleries and in the epical"Glass Stress" exhibition, started by the founder of Berengo Studio ,Adriano Berengo...

A rare and unusual Hungarian art nouveau art pottery desk stand mounted with deer and decorated in eosin iridescent green glazes dating from around 1900. The desk stand has a boat sh...

A rare and stylish antique English majolica pottery cased mantel clock attributed to Joseph Roth, London. The clock is lavishly designed with relief moulded floral designs to a shaped four legged base with a the key wind clock...

Antique large fine quality Oriental Chinese famille rose punch bowl. Dates from the mid 20th Century. Would look amazing in the righ...

Cartier 18ct Gold Nib Louis Black Godron Ribbed Fountain Pen With Cartier Box, Finished With An Onyx Cabochon Manufactured by Montblanc The pen is made from a black composite Pen n...

Rock crystal vessels were highly demanded and valuable in Medieval times. Inventories from European royal houses and the highest aristocratic families detail the important and sophisticated collections of ewers and bowls. Rock crystal has also been used extensively in religious art. Fine European reliquaries were also made of Rock Crystal including gems, enamel and other precious materials. The work of rock crystal is very ancient. The materials has been worked and valued for its solidity and its purity: it has been believed to be water ice permanently frozen. Our superb example is a gold-mounted rock crystal bowl with enamel. The items origin is not clear and various features and characteristics may lead us to think of different origins and periods of creation. A single piece of stone mounted with gold could be a Milanese work. Although the cut could be French as similar pieces belonged to the French royalty (especially the art lover Duc de Berry, (1340-1416)). French and Italian crystal cutters have been active at the same time and it is often difficult to differentiate their works. Islamic art also influenced European artists. The famous Fatimid treasury provided examples of their sophistication and quality. The seven ewers carved for the Fatimid Imans (known as "The Magnificent Seven") display impressive quality of both rock crystal and enamelled mounts. Even though not identical to works by French silversmith Jean-Valentin Morel who was appointed goldsmith to Queen Victoria in 1852 or Reinhold Vasters (1927-1909) another renown German goldsmith who embellished older rock crystal items, there are similarities between these works. Both reduce their use of colour to black and white on pure gold mounts. Moreover the black enamel design is quite similar. Also, no gems are included and no human figure is represented. Sotherby's described our bowl as a "German Rock crystal bowl with later gold mounts, 15th century." Other items from the period from Germany or Austria are usually silver mounted and the decorations are more colourful and include gems or human figures but they have in common enamel motifs. In our case, the gold foot, handles and rim could date from the 1900s. An expert has established the foot, handles and rim are pure gold. The goldsmith responsible for the improvement of the bowl is possibly the most famous Reinhold Vasters whose work has been displayed in the greatest museums such as the V&A in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The Rock Crystal bowl we have is gold mounted. The gold shows in enamelled details that are black and white. The gold handles are also enamelled with black acanthus-like leaves. The enamelling method could be "champleve" or "painting metal". The metal that is usually preferred is copper but these techniques are also applied to gold. The bowl itself could be from the 14th century. It's cut reminds of an estimated 14th century rock crystal ball bearing the Buoncompagni family arms...

This Fine french four glass mantel clock has a beautifully gilded case with thick bevelled glass panels and doors. the eight day movement with visible jewelled Brocot escapement is m...

A beautiful section of the lunar meteorite Gadamis 003, discovered in the oasis Berber town of Ghadames, Libya, and revealing a magnificent greyish-white spotted interior, evoking th...

Antique large blue and white Chinese Oriental ceramic ginger jar with a lid, believed to date from the 20th Century. It bears a 4-character mark on the base. This piece is exception...

Art Deco 1924 Sterling Silver Chain Mesh Ladies Evening Bag Purse This is an exquisite chain mesh ladies' bag made of sterling silver from the Art Deco era. Its classic feminine d...

Large 19th Century glass witches ball A true example of a 19th century large scale mercury glass (watch ball) witches reflective ball. The mercury ...

We offer this exceptional and stunning vintage Fenton carnival glass pedestal bowl decorated in the Persian Medallion design in a wonderful purpl...

“Indien à cheval” (“Indian on horseback) From our Sculpture collection, we are thrilled to introduce this good sized Native American on Horseback by Edouard Drouot. The Bronze beautifully cast with a rectangular plinth base elevating the bronze from the surface with a Native American in full dress peering upon horseback bearing a weapon. The rider seated upon an animal skin saddle and the horse in naive reins as it walks across the rocky base up to a buffalo skull. The Bronze expertly sculpted by the renowned French Sculptor Edouard Drouot finished with hand chiselling and polychrome patination cast by the famous foundry Etling Paris. The Native American on Horseback by Edouard Drouot dates to the early 20th century and the start of the Art Deco period in Europe circa 1920. Edouard Drouot (1859-1945) was a renowned French sculptor who trained under Mathurin Moreau at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Drouot began exhibiting from 1889 at the Paris Salon and his work was part of the sculpture event in the art competition at the 1924 Summer Olympics. Edmond Laurent Etling (1878-1940) was a French art dealer, gallery owner, and designer known for producing high-quality decorative items in the Art Deco style. He specialised in manufacturing exquisite pieces made from bronze, ceramics, and art glass. Bronze is an alloy consisting primarily of copper with approximately 12–12.5% tin and often with the addition of other metals (including aluminium, manganese, nickel, or zinc) and sometimes non-metals, such as phosphorus, or metalloids such as arsenic or silicon depending on the age of the bronze and its origin. The additions of other metals produce a range of alloys that are usually harder than copper alone and carry useful properties such as strength. The earliest known use of bronze dates to the 5th millennium BCE from Iranian plateau, the bronze mix consists of arsenical copper and copper-arsenide. The earliest tin-copper-alloy recovered is dated to circa 4650 BCE and was found in Plocnik, Serbia. It is believed to have been smelted from a natural tin-copper ore. Animalia sculptures...

A handsome antique English inkwell cast in solid English brass in the form of a Tortoise retaining his original glass eyes. The lid lifts to ...

A large black terracotta vessel from the Trás-os-Montes region of north east Portugal. Originally used for the storage of oil/wine. Heavily patinated with ripply texture. Complime...

English Sterling Silver Haviland-Nye Hallmarked Fountain Pen With A Schmidt Medium Nib, With A Black Tooled Leather Box. Designed 2002 London Specifically for H.R.H Queen Elizabeth ...

This is a very good and complete board game of Marble Solitaire, with a hand turned hardwood board and 35 agate stone and clay marbles, which we date to t...

A diminutive silver leafed copper dish with religious imagery to the frieze. Marked, “Tevan” and handmade in Hungary to the underside.

This 20th century Turkish tapered storage pot is a striking example of handcrafted Mediterranean pottery, originally used for storing foodstuffs ...

Shaped as an Apple From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this superb Georgian Apple Treen Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy carved from Treen as a novelty Apple with a button stalk, shaped body and shaped cut steel escutcheon. When opened the Caddy reveals traces of the original tin foil lining for housing Tea leaves. The Apple Fruit Tea Caddy...

An aluminium and brass brutalist style decorative clock by David Marshall (circa 1980s). The piece is weighty and wonderfully tactile with the maker's mark impressed on the clock's b...

Set of three mixed handmade brushed cast brass decorative bowls. Each of those original and elegant bowls are handmade individually. Cast using very traditional techniques. Slight ...

This is an antique workman's tool chest. An English, teak and brass capped craftsman's trunk, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Delightfully time-worn chest with a ro...

In the 1960's Smiths produced a range of high end 30 hr manual clocks with a distinctly Art Deco feel to them. This handsome chap is a surviving example, in great condition. The numb...

These are a pair of Derby Porcelain "Mansion House" Dwarfs or "Grotesque Punches" both with incised model numbers and dating to the 19th century. Both figures, male and female are m...

This is an antique planter. A Japanese, bronze decorative jardiniere in Tokugawa or Edo taste, dating to the mid Victorian period, circa 1860. Fascinatingly decorative planter with ...

This Chinese famille rose kamcheng jar is a fine example of late Qing-style porcelain, crafted in the vibrant Dayazhai style circa mid-20th century. The kamcheng, a Straits Chinese t...

Superb 1930s Art Deco chrome and Bakelite clock made by the Jaz company. This clock is in remarkably good condition. Often these clocks are found with severe chrome tarnishing or pit...

A French copper repoussé jardinière with Lion's head ring handles and paw feet.

A Tessellated marble Tazza urn in Italian Emporador Marble. The undulating edge on the dish with brass banded soccle support.

A large and impressive late 19th Century bronze study of the famous Venus de Milo sculpture of antiquity with excellent rich brown patina and good hand finished surface detail, inscribed F.Barbedienne foundry ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Height: 95 cm Width: 28 cm Depth: 28 cm Condition: Excellent Original Condition Circa: 1890 Materials: Bronze Foundry: F.Barbedienne SKU: 7741 ABOUT The Barbedienne Foundry is a famous 19th century bronze foundry, whose statues and art objects became rapidly very renowned. This bronze studio co-worked with other trades, and put his name to a great variety of works, such as furnishing in particular. Attending every World's Fair of its time, the Barbedienne Foundry was regularly awarded, notably at the World's Fair of 1855 where it was awarded the Great Medal of Honor. A Parisian bronze maker and caster, Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) creates a firm in 1839 in collaboration with Achille Collas, the inventor of the mechanical method to obtain copies of sculptures at a smaller scale. With this groundbreaking proceed, they facilitated an unprecedented production. Under the “Collas et Barbedienne” name, they specialized in Antiquity copies and perfected new chemical methods for the color and patina finish of their bronzes. As a true Romantic, Ferdinand Barbedienne is committed to democratization of arts, he thus realizes numerous Antiquity copies and stimulates his contemporaries’ works broadcasting. A great deal of famous sculptures are hence cast by the Barbedienne Foundry. All his life, Barbedienne co-worked with the greatest artists, sculptors or designers of his time, such as Edouard Lievre, Ferdinand Levillain, Attarge, Aizelin, Barye or Fremiet. Statues aside, he products a great deal of decorative artifacts, such as clocks, vases, mirrors, etc. Since 1855, Ferdinand Barbedienne collaborates with the famous decoration designer Louis-Constant Sévin (1821-1888). Joining the firm as a sculptor-designer, he stays loyal to it his life long, always finding more new designs for daily objects, which hence become true art works. Sevin’s creations, specialized in the “Neo-Greek” style, were particularly appreciated for antiquity reference in decorative arts, just like the great mirror preserved by the Orsay Museum. He also teams up with enamelers including Alfred Serre, and develops a set of “cloisonnés” enamels that made the headlines at the World's Fair of 1862 in London, which was the very beginning of the art of enamel’s return. In collaboration with Serre, Barbedienne realized between 1878 and 1889 the Monumental Clock in Renaissance style, decorated with enamels, which is preserved in the Paris City Hall. Venus de Milo Facts about Venus de Milo sculpture. For much of the world, the mystery of the Venus de Milo lies in her missing arms. But there’s much more to this iconic statue than a couple of absent appendages. 1. Venus de Milo‘s title is a bit misleading. It’s popularly believed that this Grecian statue depicts the Greek Goddess of love and beauty, who was often rendered half-naked. However, the Greeks would have called this deity Aphrodite. Nonetheless, the Roman-inspired Venus de Milo caught on. 2. She’s named in part for where she was discovered. On April 8, 1820, a farmer named Yorgos Kentrotas came across the statue in pieces within the ruins of an ancient city on the island of Milos (formerly known as Melos). 3. Alexandros of Antioch is credited with her creation. A sculptor of the Hellenistic period, Alexandros is believed to have carved this masterpiece between 130 and 100 BCE. The inscription on the plinth—the slab on which the statue rested—that identified him as Venus de Milo‘s creator was lost nearly 200 years ago. 4. She might not be Venus. Some have suggested the sculpture is not Aphrodite/Venus, but Amphitrite, the sea goddess who was particularly adored on Milos. Still others have proposed she’s Victory, or perhaps a prostitute. With her arms long missing, would-be context clues have been lost for centuries. A spear could have meant one thing, a spool of thread another. If she held an apple—as some reports claim—it could mean she was Aphrodite, holding the award given to her by Paris before the Trojan War began. To this day, it’s a matter of passionate debate. 5. She became a gift to the King of France. When Kentrotas called upon a French naval officer to help him unearth the spectacular sculpture, he began a chain of events that would eventually lead to the Marquis de Rivière presenting Venus de Milo to Louis XVIII. In turn, the ruler gave the statue to the Louvre, where it is on display to this very day. 6. The loss of her limbs is the fault of the French. Kentrotas did find fragments of an arm and a hand when he uncovered the statue in the ruins, but as Venus de Milo was being reassembled, those arms were discarded for having a “rougher” appearance. Modern art historians believe that the variation of finish does not mean those arms did not belong to Venus, but both the arms and the original plinth have been lost since the piece moved to Paris in 1820. 7. The original plinth was ditched on purpose. Sight unseen, early 19th century art historians decided the newly discovered Venus must have been the work of Greek artist Praxiteles, and publicized the work as such. This attribution would have placed the piece in the Classical period (5th through 4th centuries BCE), which was more respected artistically than the Hellenistic period. To save face and better promote Venus de Milo—even at the cost of misinforming the public—the plinth was removed before it was presented to the King. 8. Venus de Milo was meant to make up for a national embarrassment. During his conquests, Napoleon Bonaparte had plundered one of the finest examples of Greek sculpture, Venus de’ Medici, from Italy. In 1815, the French government returned that beloved sculpture, but in 1820, France embraced the chance to fill the hole its absence left in the French culture and national pride. As such, Venus de Milo was promoted as being even greater than Venus de’ Medici upon her Louvre debut. The ploy worked, and the piece was met with almost universal praise from artists and critics. 9. Renoir was not impressed. Perhaps the most famous of Venus de Milo‘s detractors, the celebrated Impressionist painter dismissed this delicate depiction of grace and female beauty as “a big gendarme.” 10. She went into hiding during World War II. By the autumn of 1939, war threatened to descend on Paris, so Venus de Milo along with some other priceless pieces, such as Winged Victory of Samothrace and Michelangelo’s Slaves, were whisked away for safekeeping at various châteaux in the French countryside. 11. She’s been robbed! Venus is missing more than just her arms. She was originally draped in jewellery including a bracelet, earrings and a headband. These flourishes are long lost, but the holes for fixing them to the piece remain in the marble, giving clues to the missing accessories. 12. She lost her colour. While it’s easy for today’s art admirers to think of Greek statues as white, the marble was often painted in the style of polychromy. However, no trace of the original paint scheme remains on Venus de Milo today. 13. She’s taller than most people. Even with her slight slouch, Venus de Milo stands at 6 feet 8 inches tall. 14. She could be a copy. Art historians have noted that Venus de Milo bears a striking resemblance to Aphrodite of Capua, which is a Roman era copy of a possibly late 4th century BCE bronze Greek original. That would be at least 170 years before Alexandros carved his goddess, leading some to speculate that both statues are actually replicas of an older statue...

A Stunning Regency Era Rosewood Hand-Crafted Writing Slope. With Purple Velvet Interior, Befit With The Original Brass Topped Square Glass Inkwells. Decorated throughout with beaut...

SILVER AND ENAMEL CASE From our Silver collection, we are delighted to offer this rare example French Silver and Guilloche Enamel Travel Photograph Case. The case of slender rectang...

This is an antique travelling vanity case. An English, coromandel jewellery box, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Striking...

Very stylish and rare matching pair of Art Deco bookends. These are a great find and in exceptional condition. Originating from France and dating to the 1930s both stand on marble ba...

Featuring Renascence Inspired Scenes From our collectables category, we are thrilled to introduce this outstanding French Gold and Enamel Perfume Bottle...

Lovely pair of antique Victorian brass candlesticks having a pair of antique Victorian brass candlesticks with a turned shaped column on a stepped base. D. 1890

A very large model of an Air France Boeing 707 / Château de Chambord dating to c.1959. Very good condition with minor livery wear, commensurate with age and use. The wings span 26...

Jacques Pouchain (1925-2005) left Paris and gave up his architectural training in the 1950s for the South of France to devote himself to art and his pottery studio at Dieulefit. He produced highly personal work and more commercial pieces as well both revealing a modern approach to pottery. This large ceramic vase (circa 1950s) of stunning violet blue-purple is weighty and reveals one of his trademark birds - in this case a large rooster and then several smaller ones - etched Sgraffito-style in a visual tic-tac-toe. The hallmark etching on the vase bottom...

This 20th-century handcrafted Cappadocia amphora pot is a beautiful example of vintage Anatolian clay artistry, perfect for adding a touch of Turkish heritage to rustic, Mediterranea...

This is an antique decorative Scottish Terrier. A British, spelter ornamental Scottie dog, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Exudes character and appealing weathering ...

With Sewing Equipment From our Sewing Box collection, we are delighted to offer this Regency Japanned Chinoiserie Sewing Cabinet. The Sewing Cabinet of...

Each of those original brass tealight holders is handmade individually. Cast and textured using very traditional techniques, they are polished revealing...

Stunning quality antique Victorian walnut Vienna wall clock having turned columns, the original finale's with a wonderful shaped top mounted with carved leaves and a shaped bottom. S...

A brass desk top model of a Kedge admiralty anchor. Well modeled with Shank, stock, crown, flukes, shackle and keep pin.  

A nice quality American Fenton blue carnival glass dish molded in the Panther design and dating from the early 20th century. The dish stands raised...

This exquisite 19th-century Chinese powder blue jardiniere showcases a stunning cobalt blue glaze, intricately embellished with gilded decoration. ...

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 Continental Secession style Arts & Crafts oak mantle clock stepped top a silvered dial behind a full length door with bevelled glass flanked by two pairs ...

A lovely regency tea caddy. Two compartments internally with lids Burr yew wood with box wood stringing Original hardware With key Free UK shipping   

Antique Coromandel and Brass Bound Campaign Humidor. The cigars depicted are for illustrative purposes only.

JLMENAU by Graf von Henneberg Porzellan beautiful trinket box with a gold floral design and hand painted gold detail. There has been a repair underneath the lid. Made in East Germany...

This is beautifully carved antique Chinese camphorwood bedding trunk or coffer, circa 1880 in date. With a rectangular hinged lid and side carrying handles there is no mistaking its...

This stunning super heavy Large Murano Art Glass Vase is handmade mouth blown in Black and Clear Cristallo Glass With Silver Leaf between the two layer This exquisite Murano art gla...

An exquisite and rare amethyst cluster with stalactite formations and calcite crystals. The stunning piece’s shape resembles a “Cascade” or “waterfa...

A charming Grand Tour style porcelain vase, matte black ground with polychrome decorations in ancient Greek style. English, mid-19th century. Wonderful and rare object for modern or ...

Rococo longcase Mora Clock dated 1777 by Anders Swensson with original decorative paint detailing. Carved detailing to crown. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weigh...