VW Home Vicente Wolf Models and Miniatures

A renowned tradition in Latin America and Puerto Rico is the making of Santos de Palos by master carvers since the 19th century. This is an early 20th century wood plaster carving sc...

2.44 yacht half hull model of a racing sloop. An 1840s-1850s "Plank on Edge" cutter half block hull with applied stem, keel and rudder. The deck with stubbed bowsprit, stub mast, and...

Early 20th Century hand carved pine angel’s wings Dimensions in inches: H 18” x W 5.5” x D 1.5” (each wing) Age: 1920 - 1940 Origin: England Condition: Fair Overview A matched pair...

Early 20th century hand crafted pine architectural roof model A highly decorative example of an early 20th century hand crafted English architectural roof top model. This perfect f...

A lovely example of an intimate 19th century memorabilia album illustrating the era's sensibilities for nature and antiquities, and bound in an exquisite blank album with miniature v...

Model of Yacht From the Early 20th Century We present you this true-to-life model of a yacht from the Interwar Period. It is in particularly good condition.

An unusual pedestal of octagonal Neo-Gothic form, the molded base supporting eight shaped and carved columns decorated with typical Gothic designs, topped by eight spikes surrounding...

19th Century FRENCH MODEL FIELD GUN This model canon with a 10mm bored tube of 19cm in length is raised upon an oak carriage on cast iron and painted spo...

Rare over sized early 20th Century hand crafted architectural stair case model Without doubt the most impressive example we have uncovered and the attention to detail is exceptional....

This is an early life size size hand-painted paper mache and plaster anatomical model The paint and condition is very nice for something almost 100 years old. 18 inches tall x 16 inc...

A white, antique Belgian architectural model made of hand crafted plaster of Paris, in good condition. It depicts the Frederik's Church in Copenhagen, Denmark. The main entrance of the detailed cathedral is accessible by a wide staircase, particularized by four columns. The detailed dome is composed with many rectangular windows. Exceptional item collector. Minor fading, due to age. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1900...

A masterpiece of both cabinetmaking and mechanical engineering, this one-of-a-kind expanding table was crafted by the renowned cabinetmaker Samuel Hawkins of London for the Great Exhibition of 1851. Diminutive in size, the fascinating table was designed as a model to demonstrate Hawkins’ innovative patent screw movement to visitors of the Exhibition – six million people in total over five months. It was exhibited again a century later at the Victoria & Albert Museum during the Festival of Britain, an event intended “to symbolise two main qualities of the national character: realism and strength on the one hand, and, on the other, independence and imagination” (Catalogue of the Exhibition, 1951, p.117). To this day, the miniature masterpiece demonstrates the quest of English furniture makers to combine technical innovation with superb craftsmanship. Displaying exceptional ingenuity, Hawkins’ wind-out screw mechanism allowed one to extend the table’s base to accommodate concentric leaves with the simple crank of a handle. It is based on the inventive expanding table originally designed by Robert Jupe in 1835, which used a swivel mechanism to separate sections of the tabletop and allow for segmented leaves to be inserted. Hawkins’ tabletop, on the other hand, extends outwards directly from the center in order to accommodate additional leaves around its diameter. This unique design allowed the mechanism to also smoothly operate on rectangular tables, which could be wound out from the middle to allow for more table space. Hawkins was not alone in his endeavor to combine the technical merits of engineering and mechanics with the most artful pursuit of cabinetmaking. The first half of the 19th century saw a prolific increase in the popularity of applying new ideas to traditional furniture principles, which allowed furniture to serve many purposes. The resulting “patent” furniture was practical and refined, though few were as innovative as Hawkins’ prodigious design. Carved with the year of the Exhibition on the beautifully designed pedestal base, the table is a testament to the significance of this innovation. The model is mentioned in detail in the catalog of the Great Exhibition of 1851, the first international exhibition of industry, manufacturing, and science. Held at London’s dazzling Crystal Palace, its visitors were treated to exhibits from around the globe, including feats of engineering, innovations in industry, and marvels of design. Queen Victoria herself was a frequent visitor, along with her husband, Prince Albert, and others including Charlotte...