United Kingdom - Decorative Objects

k0121 super Victorian bird's eye maple and tulipwood jewelry box or sewing box, having finely inlaid front and lid which opens to reveal new relined interior with lift up tray. This ...

A handsome Victorian solid / sterling silver tea canister with a repousse decoration to both body and pull-off lid. The tea caddy is fully hallmarked for the well renowned silversmi...

"Taureau Debout" by Rosa Bonheur. An excellent late 19th Century French animalier bronze study of a standing bull with fine hand chased surface that accentuates the muscle definition of the subject, signed Rosa B. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Measures: Width: 32 cm Height: 18 cm Depth: 11cm Condition: Excellent Original Condition Circa: 1870 Materials: Bronze Book reference: Animals in Bronze by Christopher Payne Page no. 174 DESCRIPTION Bonheur, Rosa (1822-1899) The most popular artist of nineteenth-century France, Rosa Bonheur was also one of the first renowned painters of animals and the first woman awarded the Grand Cross by the French Legion of Honor. A professional artist with a successful career, Bonheur lived in two consecutive committed relationships with women. Born on March 16, 1822 in Bordeaux, Marie Rosalie Bonheur was the oldest of the four children of Raimond Oscar Bonheur (1796-1849) and Sophie Marquis. Bonheur's father was an art teacher who came from a poor family, while her mother, a musician, had descended from a middle-class family and had been her husband's art student. Bonheur's father, who taught drawing and landscape painting, was an ardent member of the utopian Saint Simeon society. The group held idealistic beliefs about the reform of work, property, marriage, and the role of women in society. Most importantly, for the artist's future, the Saint Simeons questioned traditional gender norms and firmly believed in the equality of women. While teaching artistic techniques to his oldest daughter, Raimond Bonheur also encouraged her independence and taught her to consider art as a career. In 1828 Raimond Bonheur joined the Saint Simeons at their retreat outside Paris. Sophie and the children joined him in Paris the following year. Four years later, however, Raimond abandoned his family to live in isolation with his fellow Saint Simeons. Sophie Bonheur died in 1833 at the age of thirty-six. Rosa was only eleven years old when her mother died, but she was aware of the heavy price her mother paid for married life with a man who was more dedicated to his own ideals than to meeting his family's needs. Rosa also saw that her mother's marriage led to poverty and her death from exhaustion. After her mother's death, Bonheur was taken in by the Micas family who resided nearby. Mme Micas and Bonheur's mother had been friends. When Mme Bonheur died, the Micas family paid Raimond Bonheur's debts and cared for Rosa. Their daughther, Nathalie, who would later become an amateur inventor and unschooled veterinarian, and Rosa became enamored with each other. When Rosa Bonheur began her career as a professional artist, she had already been trained by her father who had allowed her to study in all male classes. Rosa also learned by sketching masterworks at the Louvre from the age of fourteen, and later, by studying with Léon Cogniet. From the very beginning, Bonheur's favorite subject was animals. She learned their anatomy completely by dissecting them in local slaughterhouses. She also visited the horse market two times a week. Study of animals by direct observation led to the formation of the realist style in which Bonheur worked. It was for such work that Bonheur obtained written permission from the French government to wear men's slacks. Her working attire also consisted of a loose smock and heavy boots that protected her feet from the dangerous environment in which she painted. The style of dress that the artist adopted for work and home may well have been influenced by her father's attire, which was based on St. Simeonian clothing experiments. Bonheur also cropped her hair, perhaps to facilitate her work. She did, however, always wear dresses for social occasions because she knew that appropriate dress would further her career. Bonheur earned a successful living as a painter of animals. She exhibited at the annual Paris Salon regularly from the age of nineteen in 1841 through 1853, when she was thirty-one. She won the salon's gold medal at the age of twenty-six in 1848 and was commissioned by the French government to paint Plowing on the Nivernais in 1849. In the same year Bonheur and her sister Juliette became directors of l'École gratuite de dessin pour les jeunes filles, a post their father had once held. Bonheur completed her most renowned work, The Horse Fair, in 1855. The successful representation of percherons (a breed native to Normandy) was purchased by Ernest Gambart, a London art dealer whose gallery specialized in work by French artists. He exhibited The Horse Fair in London where Bonheur visited with Nathalie. Queen Victoria requested a private viewing of the painting at Windsor Castle. It would later be purchased in 1887 by Cornelius Vanderbilt and donated to the new Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Bonheur's trip to England allowed her to meet Charles Eastlake, then President of the Royal Academy, John Ruskin, the English writer and critic, and Edwin Landseer, the British animalier. She also toured the English and Scottish countrysides and executed some paintings based on her observations of new breeds of animals found there. Gambart made engravings of Bonheur's work, including The Horse Fair, and sold them in England, Europe, and the United States. Bonheur became one of the most renowned painters of the time. Little girls, such as Anna Klumpke in the United States, even had dolls in her likeness, much as American girls played with Shirley Temple dolls...

Holdcroft Majolica square box and cover which features storks, squirrels, blossom and parrot feet. Coloration: cobalt blue, green, turquoise, are predomi...

An unusual Austrian art pottery sculptural figure of St Christopher carrying the Christ child across a river attributed to renowned Austrian sculptor, Ceramist, designer and teacher Michael Powolny (Austrian, 1871-1954) and probably dating between 1920 and 1930. The hand-crafted figure shows St Christopher with the Christ child on his shoulder and a wooden staff...

Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1906 by William Hayes, this attractive, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Cigarette Case, features ...

Art Deco Silver Plated Diana the Huntress Figure circa 1930s Silver plated on Bronze, Sylized Bronze figure of a deer, Chrome Plated Base and Stylized Backround [ some pitting to t...

Hallmarked in Edinburgh in 1801 by McHattie & Fenwick, this handsome, George III, Antique Sterling Silver Wax Jack, is plain in style, with reed detailing. Th...

Unusual and well proportioned flat rimmed flower vase by the renowned French glass company Cristalleries de Vannes. Substantial crystal raised spheres on the outside help reflect li...

A large early 18th century carved gilt wood eagle, mounted on a square red velvet covered plinth. Originally used as a lectern adornment, this archite...

Antique Qing Chinese Export Rose Medallion Canton Porcelain Punch Bowl 15.5" Diameter. A Chinese Export Rose Medallion Famille Rose canton porcelain punch bowl with multiple painted ...

A fine quality, Regency mahogany wheel barometer, the mahogany veneered case with architectural pediment above dentil banding, cross banded edge with t...

A rare and superb antique French Gothic cartel clock. It is designed architecturally with twin spires and a soaring roof of tracery. Perched above is a mythical flying creature, deli...

Italian ceramic decorative dish by Bruno Gambone (circa 1980s) - small. A unique ceramic which, at first glance, one may attribute to the work of Bruno's father, Guido. The colourful...

Wonderful carved wood frame in renaissance style I particularly like the Greek key ornament Carved tropical hardwood Chipped to one of the corners The measurement given below is ...

This is a beautiful handmade Millefiori collectors Paperweight, that we attribute to a Scottish maker, Circa 1970. This paperweight is handmade with a mixed Millefiori cane design,...

A good antique composition tortoiseshell and gilt metal singing bird box, German circa 1900 Going-barrel movement Setting the birds free... When wound and the sta...

Tiny sprigs of flora adorn this diminutive piece from the Argenta series by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden Wonderful mottled glaze decorated with applied silver decoration Circ...

Early 18th-Century Burr Walnut Longcase Clock, Circa 1705-1710. England This magnificent early 18th-century English longcase clock exemplifies exceptional craftsmanship and timeless...

An exceptional quality Art Nouveau Egyptian revival Continental brass and copper desk stand raised on four puma feet and dating from the early 20th Century. Probably French the heavi...

Paillard-Bolex L8 Mechanical Wind-Up 8mm Camera With Yvar 12.5mm F2.8 Fixed Lens 1940's 16 frames a second No 144780 Lens Serial no on base No 103 963 Made in Switzerland OVERALL ...

A rare and very stylish Doulton Lambeth Marqueterie Ware brown marbled art pottery bowl by Lambeth’s first Art Director Wilton Parker Rix (Doulton Lambeth 1868-1897) and dating from ...

Stunning Art Deco signed Moser purple Oroplastic vase in the shape of a wine glass (- a rare shape -the glass is too thick to be a drinking vessel). The o...

Vintage ceramic horse by Bruno Gambone, (circa 1970s). A charming, sizeable ceramic parade horse with groomed mane and tail in Gambone's signature chalk-white glaze. Light brown figu...

GILT WOODEN TANG WAR HORSE An elegant Chinese Gilt Polychrome Wooden Carved Tang Dynasty Style Horse Sculpture. This stunning piece features int...

Pair of antique Victorian quality Staffordshire dogs having brown and white coloured coats with gold collars, chains and padlocks unusual front leg In perfect original condition ...

Here we have an unique Italian Murano Art Studio glass vase , hand blown glass with multiple techniques involved and glass in tones of orange black and yellow colors melting in an ...

First time we've had one of these so quite a rare find and in superb condition is this wonderful 1930's Art Deco German porcelain pin cushion half doll related head powder puff set, ...

A Monumental late 19th Century French Sevres style porcelain lidded vase. Depicting courting lovers in a garden. Having wonderful gilded ormolu mounts and a pair of winged monopodia ...

A Chronometerwerke Hamburg type 5 two day marine chronometer by Wempe numbered 5077. The free-sprung spotted movement with blued steel helical hairspring to a cut and compensated bim...

19th Century Napoleon III French polished agate & gilt metal mounted box of good size. Circa 1860. An almost identical example is in the National Trust collection. Beautifully figu...

Shipping special update - We have negotiated a special flat rate shipping cost to the USA with our main US shipping partner for our 1st dibs clients of only £995 export crated by ai...

Awarded at Fernhill 18th August 1843 From our Tea Caddy collection, we are thrilled to offer this Ebonised Tea Chest given as a Royal Prize is 1843. The Tea Chest of rectangular for...

Rene Lalique Opalescent Glass 'Ronces' Vase, with grey stained background. This pattern depicts entwined bramble branches. Moulded makers mark, 'R LALIQUE' and engraved, 'Lalique' to...

Hallmarked in London in 1905 by Charles Stuart Harris, this attractive, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Basket, is wonderfully decor...

This is a wonderful antique French Grand Tour bronze model of the Vendome Column, circa 1880 in date. This splendid bronze features Napoleon I standing atop in his 'redingote' coat...

A good quality 19th Century black forest walnut casket, having wonderful crisp carving throughout, the hinged top lifting up to reveal a velvet lined interior, the top having a finel...

20th century decorative leather model of a crocodile circa 1990. Approximately half scale novelty item, depicting a crocodile with it's head raised in an aggressive stance.  Clad in...

A stylish Jaeger-LeCoultre skeleton timepiece with a gilded 16 jewel inline or ‘baguette’ movement suspended behind glass. The case of gilded brass has a brushed finish, with the bat...

Delightful and stylish Italian mid-century Rimini Blu art pottery sausage dog figure designed by Aldo Londi (Italian, 1911-2003) for Bitossi and dating fro...

Oak and silver cigar box made by renowned English Goldsmith Mappin & Webb. This box is in good general condition with small dents on the silver handle and a hinge that loses a littl...

18th century French carved statue of Madonna and Child. This charming piece has been rescued from a ecclesiastic clear out in the southern part of France The statue is carved fro...

Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1916 by Mappin & Webb, this handsome, George V, antique sterling silver ink stand, features a cut glass body and ...

A stylish Jaeger-LeCoultre skeleton timepiece with a gilded 16 jewel inline or ‘baguette’ movement suspended behind convex glass. The bezel is of gilded brass with a white enamel sur...

Antique Mahogany Drop Dial Wall Clock, having a quality mahogany circular glazed door opening to reveal a painted dial with original hands and an 8 day movement above a drop case wit...

Galle cameo glass Hydrangea vase C1905. Unusual shaped pedestal vase decorated with stylised hydrangeas.The vase is built up with five layers of glass a...

Vintage Studio Ceramics Bottle Vase - Natural Burnt Glaze. England has a rich history of studio ceramics, often small studios for teaching or a shared space for talented ceramicist...

For sale, Jake and Dinos Chapman's 'Hell Souvenir', a grotesque selection of 1:35 scale figures from the artist's purgatorial dioramas 'Hell', 'F*cking Hell', 'End of Fun' and 'The S...

Very large pair of antique Viennese silver-gilt and enamel vases attributed to Böhm Austrian, c. 1880 Height 103cm, width 38cm, depth 32cm This exceptional pair of vases, attributed...

A charming pair of ebony elephants sculpted out of solid ebony, modelled in a striding stance,  also more unusual having the textured surface giving them better effect. In good condition with no breaks, nicely patinated surface and still retaining the original carved bone tusks...

Wonderfully styled Art Deco cigar box with a internal concertina three tier cigar/ cigarette dispenser with chrome accents. Originates from France, in good vintage condition with no ...

19th century Louis XV1 Style Cherub Mantle Clock with white porcelain dial, platform escapement in circular bleu du roi decorated case, held aloft by gilt cherub on alabaster base. ...

A rare find and in such pristine condition. I have only ever seen these with much of the gold missing, this one is in absolutely superb condition retaining all of it's gilding and m...

This is a Large 10.6 inch diameter Chinese Export porcelain footed Bowl with hand painted Imari decoration, which we date to the second half of the 18th Century, Qing period, circa 1...

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 large fossil of a prehistoric Cladocyclus fish sourced from an ex private British collection. Discovered in Brazil, this impressive piece of natural history has been preserved by ...

George Jones Majolica figural bowl with a mythological theme which features two Egyptian sphinxes seated on a mottled oval base supporting a bowl...

Exotic Amboyna From our Jewellery Box collection, we are delighted to introduce this large Anglo-Indian Campaign Amboyna Box. The Amboyna Box of large rectangular form veneered in b...