Carved Building and Garden Elements

An 18th century French Caen Stone Provincial Fireplace. The cantered jambs with stop fluted front panels and carved raised panels. The frieze serpentine in design with raised panelle...

Often when centuries-old trunks did not survive the passage of time, 19th-century menuisiers (French woodworkers) would salvage the surviving wood and carve new furniture such as desks and similar trunks. The facade was typically the most ornate section of these antique trunks, making intact frontages highly valued antiques. Hand-carved from oak in Picardie, France, circa 1550, this period Gothic architectural is a beautiful example of an antique trunk facade that was not incorporated into a more recent furnishing. Picardie is a former administrative region in northern France that is home to many Gothic cathedrals. The Amiens Cathedral (mid-13th century) is the largest standing cathedral in Europe and is truly a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Our trunk frontage has five vertically oriented inset panels embellished with various forms of Gothic tracery, including high-arching niches...

A pair of fine carved teak garden or hall benches in the manner of William Kent. Panelled backs and seats with scallop shell crests above Vitruvian scroll frieze, acanthus scroll arm...

The bicolor hard limestone for this antique fireplace surround is a Burgundy Corton stone flecked with violet colored veins. We call it designed by nature for a rustic, French country room. We can provide the hearth in original antique Burgundy dalles with original ancient surfaces...

The Thinker Mid-Century Modern, sandstone sculpture depicting a seated man, artist unknown This Mid-Century Modern interpretation of The Thinker interprets the pain, release and liberation associated with free-thinking. The man conveys vulnerability, tenderness and acceptance, his body yielding into the support of the chair creating a sense of rest and peace. Provenance: Private Collection acquired from The Hidden Gallery, Scotland Measures: Height 50cm.,20" Length 33cm., 15" Depth 22cm., 81/2" The Thinker - Auguste Rodin (1840 -1917). Cast made by Fonderie Alexis Rudier in 1904. Transfered to the musée Rodin in 1922. When conceived in 1880 in its original size (approx. 70 cm) as the crowning element of The Gates of Hell, seated on the tympanum, The Thinker was entitled The Poet. He represented Dante, author of the Divine Comedy which had inspired The Gates, leaning forward to observe the circles of Hell, while meditating on his work. The Thinker was therefore initially both a being with a tortured body, almost a damned soul, and a free-thinking man, determined to transcend his suffering through poetry. The pose of this figure owes much to Carpeaux’s Ugolino (1861) and to the seated portrait of Lorenzo de’ Medici carved by Michelangelo (1526-31). While remaining in place on the monumental Gates...

With its beautifully hand carved tablet and intricate details, this wooden mantel in the Georgian style is a spectacular surround for a large room. It features a rich caramel brown c...

A large and highly carved antique oak fireplace surround, made in the Jacobean style. Produced in England during the 19th century incorp...

Matched pair of Salish Native American totem poles. Both identical. Carved as a thunderbird with spread rings separately carved and attached perched on the head of a human over a sea...

A dramatic, grand-scale, solid marble, sculpted Italian tazza with three sets of intertwined, serpentine arms surrounding a bowl inset with the relief carv...

This rustic burgundy hard stone fireplace surround has been boucharder and tailer. The original remains of the paint is an nice extra. Perfect for a country style interior. Measures...

Georgian style brass bound mahogany turf, or Irish peat bucket. The tapered swirling moulded sides have polished brass bands and faceted and twist grip loop handles; the interiors ar...

This is a fine grey oxidized Burgundy hard stone from the Louis Philippe period. Measures; 122 cm EW 48.03" 100 cm IW 39.37" 99 cm IH 38.98" 36 cm S 14.17" 50 cm L 19.69" 30...

A pair of antique Classical pedestals offer onyx construction in Grecian form with square display platforms over banded bases with octagonal...

Pair of Roman, elaborately hand-carved, Carrara marble, Corinthian capitals. Sold separately.

An exquisite example of early 19th-century English craftsmanship, this Neoclassical marble Fireplace mantel combines stately proportions with refined decorative details. Crafted from...

A fabulous example of a Regency manner Bardigilo & Statuary two tone marble fireplace. A square shelf with rounded corners sits above a frieze adorned with a central statuary marble ...

An elegant pair of carved, gilded, and polychrome wood wall niches with a central shelf and interior pictorial decoration featuring floral and landscape motifs. The pieces retain the...

Ancient antique vintage column, cylindrical statue holder, carved in Verde Alpi marble, from Italy, original from the 19th century, ideal as a support base for statues, objects, pock...

Reproduction wood fireplace mantel with fluted columns and carved capitals. Copied from an antique wood fireplace mantel sent to China in 2010....

Set of three Mid-Century large alabaster wall lamps, 1970s. An ideal collection of three alabaster wall lamps. perfect for an interior design project seeking timeless elegance and ...

Farm Sink Hand Carved stone container Jardinière Trough Basin Planter Antique LA . 18th Century water fountain Basin Of Hand Carved Stone container . beautiful Color and patina keeps changing with the light and the seasons . Weight approximately 373 Lbs. This trough could be installed with a simple bronze metal spout or a carved stone fountain head , we have many options of them , in order to create a charming garden water fountain for your pets or to have it as a dog bowl . A nice size stone trough from Provence . The centuries left its marks on this container and a very nice patina . Installed will be the focal point of any landscape design laid on gravel or mounted as a kitchen Farm sink...

A large and imposing 18th century Georgian fireplace. The bulbous column jambs, stood on square foot blocks and socles, topped with ca...

This large hand-carved granite farm trough was discovered on a property in Normandy, France. The gray stone has developed patination that gives accents of green, ochre, and brown. Gr...

Antique set of 2 entrance doors, main door in precious walnut wood, richly carved, with rich carved panels with leafy curl decorations, with columns in the lower part. They can also ...

A Chinese two-part eight-panel screen from the 20th century, featuring low-relief carvings, gilt-painted calligraphy, and a rich brown lacquer finish. Composed of two sections with f...

Beautiful small Baroque marble holy water font or stoup, Unique and original period piece. Italy, circa 1750. Weathered condition. H:6cm W:17cm D:12-17cm

This simply designed doon bench from China's Shanxi province is carved by hand from a single block of limestone. With a strong, low profile and subtle stepped spandrels, the bench ho...

This tall pair of Italian 19th century Louis XVI style hand carved walnut architectural columns with Corinthian capitals and stone base boasts a fluted and slender body crowned with ...

A very late 18th or turn of the 19th century English fireplace In Italian Statuary white marble. The plain pilaster jambs stood on separate foot blocks, surmounted by carved roundel ...

Antique wall-mounted, placard, single-door closet front, with beautiful carved diamond-pointed panels, walnut wood, smooth back as it stood inside the wall. Original from the 1700s E...

Gothic Hand Carved Stone Surround Architectural Element Wall Mount Fountain Idea . A Beautiful and Rare Gothic 15th Century Carved Stone Window Sur...

19th Century Louis Petite Carrara Marble Fireplace Mantlepiece. An Authentic English Made Antique Dated Circa 1860. Louis XV Petite (Loire) French Design Fireplace Surround Made Fro...

An early 19th century French garden sundial with heavy cast iron column base and carved marble dial plate with bronze gnomon. Nicely detailed bal...

American White Pine fire place mantel with carved molded edges, one board back, and rectangular carved vertical legs with squared plinths . Early 19th Century . Fire Box Dim. 40" Tall / 40.5" Wide...

Hand-carved in limestone in Provence, this French wall fountain features an arched back with a similar en chapeau shaped basin. Each of the 19 pieces of Estaillade limestone has a cr...

17th Century Large Mantle Louis XIII Chateau Hand Carved Stone Antique Fireplace. Rare and unique French antique castle fireplace King Louis XIII period Limestone Chimney , Regal Ch...

Beautif pair of heavy, neoclassical greek cumns from France, early 20th century, circa 1900-1920. Sid pine soft wood. Strong fluting of the stele. Square cornice and plinth. Doric ca...

An Irish antique fireplace from the Regency period in Italian Carrara and Siena marbles. The jambs with demi lune reeded panels on book matched...

A bespoke surround in Irish Kilkenny marble, typical of the early 19th century with moulded panels to Jambs and frieze, carved roundel end blocks and s...

Antique Stone Oval Basin overall dimensions: APPROX - 36W” x 22.5D” x 19”H Beautiful texture and patina.

A finely carved Georgian style fireplace in lightly distressed Portland stone. The plain fielded centre tablet flanked either side by stop flutes, with carved oval Patarae corner blocks. The jambs again decorated with stop fluted panels. A shaped and molded tiered shelf with dental work...

Large hand carved Italian marble pedestal with revolving top, having cherub and rosette carved frieze, the tapered column lowering to an octagonal plinth, 19th century

This magnificent chimneypiece is carved from fine statuary marble with contrasting inlaid thumbnails of dark Rosso Lavanto across the frieze. The signature motifs, expert craftsmans...

A rectangular Qing Dynasty period shop sign panel from the 19th century with calligraphy and distressed dark brown patina. Crafted during the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century, this r...

Hand Carved Round White Marble Shower Tub Basin Antique Water Center Fountain CA . Large 19th Century Charming hand sculpted White Marble water fountain Basin, Full of character with simple hand finished lines , reminding us of living in the simplicity and authenticity of everyday life. Very Artistic and Creative, add to that a good Diameter and Depth to turn it into a standing bathroom Shower basin such as the example “THE SHOWER” in the Royal Suite, of the most photographed shower in the world in the heart of Salento in Puglia, a 19th-century Palazzo Daniele. Imposing Piece of History for a unique home that needs a touch of Magic and Charm. You could have it installed outdoor by a pool for a quick shower or in an interior with a drop down ceiling ShowerHeaven such as the one designed by Philippe Starck mimic the rain showers. or you could install it with a bronze spout in the center bubbling , or a spout statue...

A set of three Indian seed planters from the 19th century, with distressed patina. Created in India during the 19th century, these wooden pieces were orig...

Monumental antique wood fireplace mantel 10" tall from Northern France. This is an amazing fireplace mantel with two circular carved ...

Rare 18th century antique French Louis XVI fireplace mantel. Hand-carved in desirable St Anne's marble. Delicately carved recessed Jambs and Frieze; with elegantly carved centre shel...

Extremely Rare 17th Century Louis XIII Chateau Fireplace, 1610-1643 Rare and unique French antique castle fireplace Louis XIII period Limestone Chimney with a magnificent Trumeau T...

American brass finial and polished steel fire place tools resting on the original squared grooved marble stand, Early 19th century. Set consists of pierced shovel, tong, and poker.

A Highly Important Empire Period Rosso Antico Chimneypiece Inset with Specimen Marble Portrait Reliefs of Roman Emperors The carved and veneered surround comprising a moulded shelf supported by a bold dentil cornice, above an inverted breakfront frieze carved with a central triglyph panel, flanked by a pair of rosettes carved in shallow relief, the frieze mounted with six carved hardstone profile portrait medallions of Roman Emperors, the stop-fluted jambs raised on moulded footblocks; in excellent condition with small restorations commensurate with age and use; the pale inclusions in the stone naturally formed. This spectacular neoclassical marble chimneypiece is carved from Rosso antico, the frieze inset with six portrait reliefs of Roman Emperors, each carved in marmo giallo on a bardiglio background, five variously incised: VESPASIANUS, TIBERIVS, OTHO, JULIUS CAESAR, TITUS. Rosso antico (marmor taenarium) is first recorded as being quarried in 1700 BC at Akra Tainaron (Cape Matapan), Greece.¹ The majority of this stone, however, was extracted throughout the Roman period, when it was one of the most coveted materials for carving due to its rich red colouring and association with highly prized Egyptian ‘Imperial’ Porphyry.² Rosso antico was chosen in antiquity for portrait busts, notably depicting Bacchic subjects such as Dionysus and satyrs due to its rich red wine colour which symbolised conviviality whilst conveying the education and cultivated taste of the owner.³ In the Renaissance, Rosso antico was also used for architectural detail on important buildings, such as the steps leading up to the choir in the medieval church of S. Prassede, and the large columns at the entrance to the Camera dell'Aurora.⁴ In 121 AD, G. Suetonius Tranquillus, secretary to Emperor Hadrian, wrote a biographical history of the first twelve emperors of Rome entitled De vita Caesarum (The Twelve Caesars). A Renaissance edition of Tranquillus’ work was published in 1470, followed by further reprints and translations into all the main European languages. Many of these were illustrated with prints of emperors taken from coins and statues, or imagined by the artist based on Tranquillus’ accounts. These interpretations were copied, in turn, by Renaissance designers for medals, Limoges enamels, and busts, as well as paintings such as the Eleven Caesars, a series of eleven half-length portraits of Roman emperors made by Titian in 1536–40 for Federico II, Duke of Mantua.⁵ These paintings were later given to King Charles I, before being passed in the Commonwealth to the Kings of Spain. Unfortunately, the series was destroyed in the catastrophic fire of 1734 at the Royal Alcazar of Madrid, and is now only known through copies and engravings.⁶ From the middle of the 17th century until the end of the 18th century, there was an insatiable demand for marble carvings, often sold as Roman or assembled from ancient fragments, thus perpetuating the reverence for antiquity that was the quintessence of the Grand Tour. Rosso antico was in extremely short supply, even after the ancient quarries at Skutari were rediscovered in 1830, and remained one of the most highly valued of all stones. Described in 1776 as ‘dark red; scarce and dear’, it was mostly used for small objects such as Grand Tour desk ornaments, inevitably using material re-cut from classical fragments, due to its rarity, as was the case with porphyry.⁷ The portrait roundels on this chimneypiece are typical of those produced in Rome and Florence in hardstones, semi-precious stones, gold, silver, bronze, and mother-of-pearl, which, being easily transportable, would be taken home from the Grand Tour to be mounted within wooden, gilded or brass frames, as fashion dictated.⁸ A group of gold portraits of Caesars, dating from around 1660, are in the Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence. Images of Roman emperors were not limited to Italy, England and France, however, as examples executed in Deshima for the Dutch East India Company (Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) show. Medallions depicting Roman emperors, invariably made of black and gold Japanese hiramakie or takamakie lacquer on copper, were produced for the Dutch market at the end of the 18th century. Examples can be found in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.⁹ There are two possible sources for the Imperial profiles on the chimneypiece: the engravings of The Twelve Caesars by Marcantonio Raimondi, or the Imperatorum Imagines by Hubert Golz.¹⁰ The portrait medallions also bear remarkable resemblance to a set of eighteen carved portrait reliefs of Roman Emperors, also of marmo giallo, almost certainly bought by David Ker (1742–1811) of Portavo, Co. Down, on his Grand Tour between 1792–4 in either Florence or Rome. Ker’s diary entry for 17th October 1793 is interesting as it reveals that he was offering his brother a choice of chimneypiece designs, which further supports a Roman origin for the offered example.¹¹ Indeed, fire surrounds incorporating antique fragments had been promoted from the late 1760s by Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720–78), encouraged by Rome-trained architects including Robert Adam (d.1792). One such example, inset with mythological tablets carved from Rosso antico, was acquired by the 9th Earl of Exeter from Piranesi himself for Burghley House.¹² Another can be found at Islington House, Dorset.¹³ A third, inset with giallo antico and Rosso antico, follows Piranesi’s engraved design dated 1769 for a fire surround mounted with three marble portrait reliefs.¹⁴ It should be re-emphasised that Rosso antico was so precious that it was only ever used for small tablets or details rather than an entire chimneypiece, as with the offered example; likewise, while portrait reliefs are occasionally seen on the jambs of Italian surrounds, it is exceptionally rare to see the frieze mounted with a group, especially of this scale: the combination indicates an architectural commission by an extremely wealthy patron. The sophisticated lines of this chimneypiece epitomise the French Empire influence on the Italian states at the turn of the 18th century. This idiosyncratic ‘Roman’ taste is encapsulated by that of Napoleon, who identified with Rome’s Imperial past. Napoleon’s desire to establish a visual link between himself and Roman emperors is demonstrated by the portraits of his court painter, Jacques-Louis David, inspired by portraits of Emperor Augustus. This Imperial taste extended to architecture, furniture and porcelain, the latter two of which are combined in a group of magnificent ormolu-mounted guéridons commissioned in Sèvres between 1803–11, made to immortalise Napoleon’s reign.¹⁵ The second guéridon in the series, the Table des Grands Capitaines (Table of the Great Commanders of Antiquity), commissioned in 1806, is made almost entirely of hard-paste Sèvres porcelain. The top, painted in imitation of sardonyx, is centred by a portrait cameo of Alexander the Great, surrounded by twelve smaller heads of commanders and philosophers from antiquity: Pericles, Scipio Africanus, Pompey, Augustus, Septimus Severus, Constantine, Trajan, Caesar, Mithridates, Hannibal, Themistocles and Miltiades.¹⁶ Louis XVIII presented the table to the Prince Regent (later King George IV) in 1817 as a token of appreciation for Napoleon’s defeat two years earlier, and George IV treasured it so highly that it became part of the ceremonial backdrop for all his state portraits. The table remains in the Royal Collection.¹⁷ This chimneypiece remained, until recently, in the possession of a noble Dutch family, who acquired it from the owners of a bombed Knightsbridge house in the 1940s; unfortunately, its provenance prior to this has been lost. The use of Rosso antico on this scale, inset with these splendid Imperial profile medallions, appears unparalleled. 1. J. B. Grossman, 'Looking at Greek and Roman Sculpture in Stone' (Los Angeles, 2003). Grossman states that this material was ‘...quarried in three places during antiquity: on Cape Tainaron present day Matapan on the Peloponnese of Greece; on Crete; and at the site of Iasos in Asia Minor. 2. L. Lazzarini, ‘Rosso antico and other red marbles used in antiquity: a characterization study’, Marble, Art Historical and Scientific Perspectives on Ancient Sculpture’ (1990), 237–252. C. Gorgoni, L. Lazzarini, P. Pallante, ‘New archaeometric data on Rosso antico and other red marbles used in antiquity, ASMOSIA VI, Interdisciplinary Studies on Ancient Stone’ (2002), pp. 199–206. J. Deér, trans. G.A. Gilhoff, The Dynastic Porphyry Tombs of the Norman Period in Sicily (Cambridge, 1959), p. 144. R. Gnoli, Marmora Romana (Rome, 1988), pp. 187–191. 3. A notable example is a satyr from the Emperor Hadrian's villa at Tivoli, now in the Capitoline Museum, Rome. Another is the head of a satyr in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, accession no. 2006.110. See T. Opper, Hadrian. Empire and Conflict (London, 2008), p. 165, fig. 149. 4. De Luca, Marmi antichi (Rome, 1998), p. 126. Faustino Corsi, Catalogo ragionato d’una collezione di pietre di decorazione (Rome, 1833), p. 93. 5. For related Limoges medallions, see set of ten circular Limoges enamel medallions depicting Roman emperors, en grisaille with gilding, from the workshop of Jacques I Laudin, sold Christie’s London, Fine Renaissance Bronzes and Works of Art, 19 December, 1977, lot 95. 6. See set of drawings sold Sotheby’s London, Of Royal and Noble Descent, 24 February, 2015, lot 184. 7. J. J. Ferber, Raspe’s Travels through Italy in the Years 1771–1772 (London, 1776), p. 218. 8. See Sotheby’s London, Pelham, the Public and the Private, 8 March 2016, lot 75: ‘A set of twelve mother-of-pearl cameos of Roman Emperors, Southern Italian, early 19th century’ 9. Oliver Impey, Christiaan J.A. Jörg, Cynthia Viallé, Japanese Export Lacquer 1580–1850 (Amsterdam, 2005) pp. 48–57, no. 56 & 57. 10. For a further reference, see the candlesticks by Jacques I Laudin in the Waters Art Gallery, illustrated in P. Verdier, Catalogue of the Painted Enamels of the Renaissance (Baltimore, 1967), p. 389, nos. 207 & 208. 11. John Ingamells, A Dictionary of British and Irish travellers in Italy 1701–1800 (London, 1997), pp. 572–3. 12. Oliver Impey, Four Centuries of Decorative Arts from Burghley House (Virginia, 1998), p. 53, fig. 23. 13. Country Life, 12 June, 1997, p. 162, figs. 9–11. 14. A. González-Palacios, Il Tempio del Gusto, Roma e il Regno delle due Sicilie, Vol. II (Milan, 1984), pp. 592–93, p. 260. 15. S. Grandjean, 'Napoleonic Tables...

Pair of Alabaster end tables or plant or display collums. Hand carved highly figured Alabaster made in Italy.

Enormous decorative architectural finial in early white paint, circa 1840-1880 (Look at last picture for idea of scale). Note: Regional differenc...

Drum-form stools such as this were traditionally used in gardens and outdoor pavilions where upper class scholars read, wrote, gathered for discussion and, in general, developed thei...

English Georgian Pine Classical mantle with original carved gesso, foliage, and medallion motif. Late 18th Century. Overall measurements- 67.25" Wide at top / 7.25" Deep at top /...

Decorate a garden, terrace, or entryway with this charming pair of antique French cast stone planters. Crafted in France circa 1920, each rectangular jardinière is carved on all four...

This antique French mantel, crafted from Balacet marble in the 1880s, showcases exquisite Empire-style design and exceptional craftsmanship. The centerpiece features a hand-carved ge...

A large & important pair of rare antique 19th century Indian Polychromed & hand carved stone Dvarpala (temple door guard) statues, circa 1850. Each statue is hand carved as a male Hindu four armed temple guard, the guards holding a mace (Gada) and one hand on a dagger (Katar), another hand holding a lotus flower to represent spiritual enlightenment. Each guard stands crossed legged on a plinth decorated with an elephant, both statues retaining old and yet brightly colored polychromed decoration, the statues are approximately 3/4 lifesize. They are a true pair facing each other and would have flanked either side of the temple door entrance, they are large and very heavy, each figure weighs about 300lbs. A rare & important pair of carved 19th century stone temple guards...

A fine pair of painted cast iron benches with wooden seats, featuring an oak leaf and acorn motif, dog head handles on the arms, and cabriole legs with paw feet. The pair date to th...

A large and grand antique Statuary marble fireplace dating to the 1850’s. Each pilaster with two full rounded and free standing Corinthian columns th...