18th/19th Century Moroccan Mosque Architectural Ornament Steeple Finial Pair

A majestic pair of antique architectural salvaged Chinese temple corbels, now mounted as one-of-a-kind wooden sculptures on custom floor standing display pedestal stands. Originally commissioned for an important religious temple in China, the impressive large scale wall bracket corbels were notoriously difficult as they had to serve as both highly decorative temple ornaments and structural building elements used to support the weight of a wall. Hand-crafted in the early 19th century, smilarly styled design, each exceptionally hand carved, sculpted, and painted by highly trained artisans. Profusely carved and decorated, featuring very fine quality high relief work throughout, extensive bas relief, pierced openwork, rich carvings and intricate incised detailing, depicting various Chinese folk religion figures and imagery. Rising on bespoke handmade stands, consistenting of sturdy rectangular shaped thick plank plinth base embellished with foliate carvings, held upright by turned column single support. Rich in culture and history, interesting, unusual, highly decorative, whimsical and artistic, sure to add sophisticated elegance, rustic character, color, space, texture and lots of visual interest. Dimensions, largest (approx): Each: 32.5" H, 19" W, 7.25" D. Please note, the objects were sourced and transported both legally and ethically, retaining partial original red wax export seal to top. Display the three Sanxing, in their iconic representation as three, old, bearded, wise men, which dates back to the Ming dynasty, when the Gods of the three stars were represented in human form for the first time. One panel having two monumental smiling figures with hand painted eyes and tongue, the other fragment depicting four figures, seated and standing, likely Immortals, Gods, Shen deity, and other characters from ancient Chinese mythology and folklore. Both pieces with elaborate lotus and pine tree motif, a powerful symbol of wisdom and longevity. Sanxing figures are an important part of Asian culture. Statues of these three Gods...

A scarce French Provincial Louis XV (1715-1774) / Louis XVI (1774-1792) Period mixed wood religious oratory (prie-dieu / altar) Hand-crafted in France in the 18th century, with later 19th century elements, likely originating in the south of France / Mediterranean region, featuring pegged solid wooden construction of warm, rich fruitwood, chesnut, oak, and maple. Having a slant-front bureau with tall raised back decorated with three Renaissance Revival style high relief panels, the center depicting religious scene comprising Jesus and winged Saint, the side panels with foliate floral fruit pendant carvings, flanked by classical turned baluster-form columns, surmounted with highly stylized hand carved and turned finials. Over a slant-front with star parquetry, the hinged drop-front opens to reveal a distressed leather writing desk / lectern / pulpit on which the holy books can be laid open and allows to shelter the books, which were considered precious goods at that time. The lower sacristy cabinet has a pair of slide-out supports flanking a paneled cupboard door decorated with a large stepped base Christian cross parquetry inlay, affixed with later decorative forged iron faux escutcheon overtop. The door opening with key to a single fixed shelf on which holy items...