United Kingdom - Decorative Objects

A Rare Art Nouveau Carved Secret Safe Book This is a very attractive piece, carved in walnut and cedar with inset brass hinges and banding When set on the bookshelf this looks like ...

Pair of mid 19th Century Victorian antique porcelain vases which have black tapering bodies decorated with beautifully painted birds nests, butterflies and flowers in wonderful colou...

Decorative elongated ceramic flower vase (circa 1950s) by Jacques Pouchain. This midcentury ceramic flower vase is elegantly glazed in a dusty lavend...

Intense yellow - orange limonite formation with inclusions of white quartz. Origin: Benalmadena Trinidad Mine - Malaga - Spain

Vintage Wooden Chopping Boards - Medium Size - Good Quantity Available. Sourced from Hungarian and Romanian street markets, crudely made and well used small chopping boards made ma...

Fine antique George lll all original longcase clock signed Charles Shuckburgh of London having a brass arched dial, silvered chapter ring, subsidiary dial, original hands, 8 day move...

A striking Chinese porcelain floor vase in the Kangxi style, distinguished by its generous scale and vivid hand-painted decoration in cobalt blue. The tall rouleau-shaped form—measur...

JAEGER LE COULTRE Jaeger Le Coultre gilt table clock with Lapis Lazuli dial, Roman numerals signed ‘Jaeger Le Coultre’ and original gilded hands. R...

Fine traditionally hand-crafted and turned Ash Yakisugi platter - bowl. These are handmade to the very best quality in London using traditional techniques. Finished in food safe oil...

A Charles Lemanceau Art Deco glazed ceramic peacock for St. Clement, circa 1930 Marks: Lemanceau, St. Clement, 18-5/8 inches high (47.3 cm).  

This is a superb quality antique Victorian burr walnut casket, sewing box, with elaborate decorative brass and bronze mounts, circa 1860 in date. The rectangular lid is beautifully decorated with cut brass mounts centred with a striking bronze sphynx...

Antique George III quality mahogany 8 day longcase clock having a quality mahogany case with a swan neck pediment, turned columns, mahogany and glass arched shaped door opening to re...

A statement lidded decorative box with shapely handle and feet. Constructed from a mix of fine timbers, to include satinwood, burr maple and rosewood. Lined in a deep plum velvet. It...

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. ...

Solid bronze desk lamp with braided cable and dimmer switch. Comes with vintage Edison filament lamp E27. Made in the 1980s by Kokosha - Osaka, Japan. ...

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...

For you consideration is this stunning Art Deco ladies powder bowl made in alabaster. Originating from France and dating to the 1930's is this beautifully coloured and beautifully hand painted ladies...

This is a small vintage plant pot. A Chinese, ceramic desktop brush jar with Oriental decor, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. Petite and...

An exceptional pair English aesthetic movement porcelain pair of figurines portraying a farmhand and his belle by renowned potter and artist James Hadley (British, 1837-1903) dated 1...

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...

This is a vintage decorative prayer figure. An Oriental, gilt bronze statue of a Thai deity, dating to the late Art Deco period, circa 1940. Presenting a...

Pair of antique Victorian quality Sheffield plated candelabras having a three branch removable shaped top above an elegant tapering column on a stepped oval base A wonderful pair o...

Fine Marcolini Period Meissen Porcelain open work fruit basket in white, blue and gold, two crowns on each basket at the front and the revers of the basket, signed and dated on the b...

This remarkable and highly decorative Japanese export large writing box is a rare high quality example with a complicated and intricate interior. The box is in very good condition c...

19th Century Hoshiarpur Inlaid Writing Box Quite simply, this is a stunning example of a 19th Century hand crafted Hoshiarpur inlaid writing box. The craftsmanship is quite amazing ...

Frank Brangwyn for Royal Doulton. A pair of hand painted vases.

Rene Lalique opalescent Glass 'Libellules' Box. This pattern features dragonflies. Lid with molded makers mark, 'R LALIQUE' and engraved, France No.51'. Book reference: 'R. LALIQUE C...

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

From a private collection from a prestigious London residence, we are pleased to offer this exceptional Regency Anglo-Irish cut glass pedestal vase or bonbonnieres and cover dating f...

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...

A set of two Grand Tour marble oval medallions depicting the portraits of Roman emperors, reclaimed from an ex private British collection. Dating to the 19th century, the detailed e...

This is a small oval shaped antique metal Pill Box with Mother-of Pearl Inlay dating to the Edwardian or late Victorian period. The box is made...

Antique Victorian quality figured walnut sewing box having a brass handle to the lift up top opening to reveal a fitted interior, drop down front opening to reveal a storage drawer ...

Walnut Westminster Chiming Mantel Clock Finely figured bell top walnut case standing on a stepped moulded plinth with block feet. Brass silk line...

A wonderful and substantial spherical geode is shown here, with deep purple amethyst crystals enveloping a central calcite. A quintessential geode and a striking display piece. ...

Pair of Bronze Urn Vases French 19th Century on Black Marble Bases. Shaped handles raised on a black marble stepped plinth with a casting of a Greek God on both sides with mirroring ...

A special chess set in solid hand-patinated brass. Handcrafted in the North to order. Available in a range of materials and finishes, Otterburn can tru...

This substantial one of a kind abstract sculpture depicts a seated woman, hand crafted, molded and cast in stone resin. The piece features a beautiful patina in shades of mossy grey...

An attractive modern limited edition bronze study of a resting rabbit with excellent smooth tactile surface and good colour, signed, numbered and stamped Landowski Foundry ~ Cire Per...

A stunning English Art Nouveau large art pottery bowl decorated in flambe glazes by renowned artist Bernard Moore (British, 1850-1935) and dating from around 1910. The lightly potted...

4 mid 20th century Swedish apothecary glass jars circa 1930. Brown glass jars with original stops, labelled up in Swedish for sodium bicarbonate, tartaric acid, citric acid and bica...

Incredible large cast iron factory clock manufactured by renowned electrical company Gents of Leicester. circa 1930 Almost certainly used in an industrial setting, this clock has ...

A beautiful Singing bird box by bontems of Paris, Circa 1900. Tortoisesheel embellished with sterling silver, with silver and enamel lid.

Antique silver cup or Decorative Chinese cup, pressed, cast and chased. Circular, curved feet with hinged. Decorated with peacock motifs in relief, side-mounted nine mythical animal...

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...

An 18th Century South Staffordshire Snuff Box, decorated with a couple with Cupid in parkland, the white base with flowers on a gilt diaper ground ...

Pair of antique Japanese Meiji era bronze elephant and pagoda incense burners Japanese, Late 19th Century Sculpture: Height 151cm, width 122cm, depth 43cm Base: Height 56cm, width 82cm, depth 40cm Overall: Height 207cm, width 122cm, depth 43cm This outstanding pair of incense burners, also known as koro in Japanese, was crafted in the late 19th century during the Meiji era. This was a time when, for the first time in almost three centuries, Japan opened its borders to foreign trade, causing a wave of Japanese...

Most impressive clear, frosted and opalescent glass vase decorated with raised figures of birds on branches. A fabulous Art Deco design the surface of the vase has been finished by h...

This wonderful modern masterpiece has been created using original antique and vintage elements. The beautiful silver and guilloche enamel case da...

A good and unusual pair antique Japanese Satsuma Meiji diamond shaped pottery vases decorated with monk figures with a scrolling dragon dating from the 1...

This is an antique pokerwork stationery box. An English, beech and tulipwood desktop tidy in Arts & Crafts taste, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Charmingly hand f...

Antique George III oak eight day longcase clock having a well proportioned oak longcase with a painted enamel dial depicting pretty roses in bloom, elegantly designed hands, an 8 day...

This is a solid bronze figurine of a dancing lady called Hoop Girl after D H Chiparus, on an Onyx base, dating to the Art Deco period, Circa 1925 to 1935. ...

Tiffany & Co Brass Desk Clock Free international shipping

An early 20th century walnut cigar Humidor, circa 1900 with sterling silver corners and nameplate. This piece has a campaign feel the corners are perfectly moulded. The walls of the ...

A fine quality pair of antique gilt & patinated bronze cherub mounted chamber sticks circa 19th century.    

Exquisite English craftsmanship from the early 19th century a mahogany writing slope befit with A black velvet interior & A pair of glass inkwells by J J Mechi of No 4, Leadenhall St...

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...