Charlotte Nail Antiques Abstract Sculptures

A charming vintage hand carved wooden black horse, richly decorated and enhanced with gold accents. Used condition, some cracks and fading to the paint, otherwise good. Dimensions:...

A charming pair of linden wood bookends with carved figurines of Owls with beautiful orange eyes, Germany, circa the 1930s. These adorable bookends will make a wonderful accent on a...

This pair of vintage Italian ceramic pomegranate topiaries brings together Regency-style elegance and vibrant handcrafted artistry. Each piece features a lush cluster of richly glaze...

Hand carved near Venice, Italy, circa 1960, this large antique sculpture sits on an integral square red and gilt wooden pillow base; it features a greyhound figure sitting on back le...

Pair of Italian gilt carved wood, gesso, and painted hanging wall cherubs . Early 19th Century.

These rare objets d’art feature intricately hand-cut and painted tole foliage, gracefully shaped into classical topiary forms. Adorning each piece are delicate porcelain flowers—each...

A good quality pair of French hand carved wooden bookends. These beautiful French Art Deco era handcrafted bookends will look great displaying your's or your child's favorite boo...

Pair of Continental Carved and Polychromed Wooden Cornucopias, 19th Century These finely carved and polychromed wooden cornucopias exemplify the enduring symbolic power of the horn of plenty in European decorative arts. Each composition is rendered in high relief, the ribbed horn issuing an abundant cascade of fruit and vegetables—pomegranates, grapes, melons, pumpkins, gourds, citrus, corn, and floral sprays—arranged with exuberant Baroque fullness. Now mounted on forged iron bases for display, the pair measures 20" high × 28" wide × 3.5" deep, including stands 12.5" x 6" (carvings alone 28" wide × 17" high × 3.5" deep). The Cornucopia in History Originating in antiquity, the cornucopia (Latin cornu copiae) was first associated with Amalthea, the goat who suckled the infant Zeus, whose horn became a miraculous source of nourishment. In Roman culture it was carried by deities of abundance—Fortuna, Abundantia, and Ceres—as an emblem of civic prosperity and the cycles of nature. Revived in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the cornucopia became a favored motif in architecture, painting, and decorative arts, symbolizing divine blessing, seasonal plenty, and the wealth of the natural world. Iconography of the Fruits and Vegetables The profusion of produce is not merely decorative but encodes symbolic meanings rooted in both classical and Christian traditions: Pomegranates—fertility, eternal life, and resurrection. Grapes—festivity, vintage, and the Eucharistic blood of Christ. Melons and Watermelon Slices—sensual abundance, refreshment, and ephemeral pleasure. Pumpkins and Gourds—autumn harvest, transformation, and the cycles of plenty. Corn (Maize)—sustenance and prosperity, reflecting New World influence on European symbolism. Citrus Fruits—health, luxury, and Mediterranean prosperity. Floral Sprays—seasonal beauty and the transience of life, underscoring vanitas themes common in still-life art. This allegorical language aligns the carvings with the broader European tradition of abundance imagery found in still-life painting, silverwork, and architectural ornament. Continental Style and Possible Origin The sculptural density, dramatic overlapping of forms, and naturalistic rendering suggest a Continental origin, likely Austrian, German, or Italian, c. late 19th century. While Swedish decorative carving of the same era tends toward flatter surfaces and folk stylization, these examples embody a more theatrical Baroque and Rococo inheritance, later enhanced with a polychrome or silver-toned surface to heighten their decorative impact. Originally conceived as architectural appliqués...

A fantastic pair of vintage Asian Emperor horses. Beautiful carved wood with a gilt finish. Gorgeous all over patina from time. Flashes of the red paint ...

This expressive pair of hand-carved wooden swans dates to midcentury America, blending sculptural form with folk art sensibility. Carved from solid wood, each bird features a gracefu...

Very impressive 18th century pair of carved and parcel gilt cherubs on steel stands from Italy. Lovely carving and patina on these.

Great pair of vintage Chinese gold gilt wood carved Foo Dogs, circa 1970s. The pair measure 15.5"W x 3.25"D x 4"H. The set are in very good vintage condition and have a wonderful pat...