Hand-Carved Building and Garden Elements

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...

More information coming soon… A large granite trough, hand-carved in Brittany, France, during the 1800s. The stone has inherent contour to the sides and a unique patination consisti...

A small and fine burgundy bicolor hard stone vintage fireplace surround. The surface is hammered and tailler. It was built in the Louis XIII period, 17th century. Measures: 130,5 cm ...

Fine monumental 19th century French masterfully hand carved walnut and oak figural fireplace. This magnificent large hand carved fireplace is of solid walnu...

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 ...

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

Small French Louis Phillipe demi-lune antique fireplace surround from the 19th century. A honey color hard limestone which reflects the light of the room and brings authenticity in t...

This exquisite pair of 1890's Indo-Saracenic columns beautifully blends intricate design elements. The Corinthian-inspired capitals are adorned with acanthus leaves, pomegranate flow...

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...

Once a common sight in courtyards throughout rural China, this textured stone vessel was used as a grain or water trough for chickens and other barnyard fowl. Chiseled from a block o...

19th century French bench made from oak. The back is exquisitely hand carved with two differents motifs, surrounded by decorative carvings. The sides are made up of matching decorati...

Very nice antique reclaimed fireplace surround with straight lines from the Beaujolais region. Coming from the town Buxy. The Buxy stone w...

This is really very early and has incredible presence in person. Looks like many of the artifacts I've seen in the museums. It originated from the countryside of France and is a grea...

Decorate a garden or patio with this elegant antique outdoor statue. Made of cast stone in France circa 1920, the tall sculpture depicts a youngster standing on a square pedestal, ho...

18th Century or earlier, rustic French country portal door frame for garden wall entrance. Stones are hand-carved in grey stone for a country farm house. ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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.

Huge Carved Stone Center Water Fountain Column Spout Basin Architectural Element . This exquisite large Carved water Center fountain with Basin of the late 18th Century Early 19th Century . The decades left its marks and a very nice patina that changes with the seasons . A Grand and imposing Architectural elements Focal center sculpture and water pool Basin coping . This water feature will be the focal point in any landscape design commercial and or residential palatial . The fountain originally was with a dug out fountain basin in the ground, with a coping stone surround, then decades later they added two stone basins to it , to make it easy for the daily use at the time. then when we purchase it, we decided to take it back to the original design, of a center column with crown and the original carved urn that holds the crown in place with the right amount of weight. and we removed the basin, and we left the coping. so when you install it, you create the basin in the ground and you will have the coping to mount all around. It is a piece of art , sculpture lion figures fountain Head Spouts...

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 double wing entrance door in honey light brown walnut, hand built in the early 1900s in Italy. Very elegant and robust structure, in precious walnut, it is sold as it is now...

Enhance your space with this artisanal Italian guéridon, expertly refinished in a sleek off-white lacquer (color reference: #F2F0EF) with a high-gloss sheen Crafted from carved chest...

Beautiful late 18th century Louis XV Parisian rouge marble fireplace mantelpiece and cast-iron interior. This French fireplace mantel boas...

Use this charming vintage fruitwood spiral staircase to organize books or display decorative objects in an office or library. Crafted in France circa 1970, the circular three-step la...

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...

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 beautiful antique 19th century limestone wall fountain is a great addition to any Mediterranean, Tuscan, rustic, or other custom style home. The naturally aged color and distres...

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

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 English Regency Neoclassical statuary marble fireplace, carved in Italy to the highest quality with crisply and deeply carved undercutting to the sculptural dec...

20th Century Georgian-Style Hand-Carved Marble Fireplace Mantelpiece A truly exceptional unique fireplace, meticulously hand-carved under lice...

These fluted column shafts are carved from natural stone and feature a cylindrical design with vertical fluting that evokes the classic style of Greco-Roman architecture. Their rusti...

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

19th Century Black Slate Fireplace Mantlepiece. A Large Beautiful Antique Victorian English Made Fireplace Surround Made From Black Welsh Slate. This Stunning Fireplace Surround Has ...

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 ...

Japanese a handsome quality pair (2) "Sun And Moon" Arts And Crafts Pathway Stone Lanterns, 34" High With original patina and layers of garden lichen. Wouldn't these antique gar...

A rare late 13th / early 14th century limestone column capital reclaimed from Beverley Minster, Yorkshire. Dating to circa 1300, this limestone capital originates from the medieval p...

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...

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

An outstanding and exquisite 17th century French capital to a pilaster. Expertly carved from wood with a wonderful cherub stunningly finished in water g...

Impressive hand-carved marble fountain with a classic design featuring a sculpted lion's head, used as a water spout. The structure includes intricate ornamental details, enhanced by...

A Superb and Rare George III, Neoclassical Siena and Statuary Marble and Painted Pine Fireplace with Porphyry and Antico Verde Faux Marbles Circa 1785–95. Inset with painted polychr...

A tall 80 Inch antique classic tea motif lantern with all original pieces. Please view our video. The Zendō-ji Gata lantern Ishidōrō (禅導寺型石灯籠) is a unique design and very special ...

A primitive stone planter, dating back to the early part of the 19th century, possibly earlier. Crafted from rugged sandstone, the irregular, organic shape offers a beautifully weathered appearance, with an original patina of moss and lichen that gives the piece an established, timeworn look. The natural organic shape provides an excellent backdrop as a garden feature...

Beautiful weathered Neoclassical pedestal with its original silver-leaf gilding. Great to use as a display for a small collection or just with some candles. Italy, circa 1780. Weathe...

Ancient circular well, in ancient Vicenza stone, with handmade sculptures of cherubs, festoons and decorations of the time, handmade in Northern Italy, for the garden of a noble pala...

Upper part of an altar niche, from the Spanish Baroque period, in the shape of a shell, which in turn would have been part of a Baroque altarpiece, characterized by profuse and exube...

A Large Italian 19th century neoclassical Revival style carved Carrara marble figural wall console table. The rectangular marble top supported by twin Roman carved marble monopodiums...

A most charming pair of large antique American Victorian era painted architectural columns with beautifully weathered patina. 19th century, United States, salvaged from a home in W...

Sold as a PAIR. Over three centuries in age and hailing from Italy, this exquisite pair of Corinthian columns has been handcrafted and conscientiously rendered as pure representation...

The pair of antique stone capitals come with separate semi-circular bases. These are to be attache to a wall like pilasters. Can be used for planter bases, small side table or as gar...

A pair of antique carved wood overdoor panels from the 19th century, with traces of original paint. This pair of 19th-century antique carved wood overdoor panels features a captivati...

This exquisite antique cast stone garden urn, inspired by Victorian-era English jardinieres, is a stunning example of classical garden design and timeless craftsmanship. Dating back ...

A late Regency period Carrara marble fireplace surround, the stepped shelf above panelled frieze with elegant shallow arch with applied foliate roundel to the centre, the jambs with ...

Beautiful and very rare hand-carved white marble water basin or sink, Italy, circa 1750-1800. Weathered. H:12cm W:56cm D:29-40cm

17th C. Hand Carved Stone Niche Wall Mount Plaque Architectural Element Antique . Late 1600’s Rare hand carved stone Niche from a Chateau Estate Provenc...

A large antique profusely carved oak fireplace surround in the Jacobean style Made during the Victorian period in England, incorporating 17th century and 18th century carved elements...