Gold Sculptures

Completely hand-crafted in 18th century Spain, this sculpture of the Virgin stands 1.5 meters / 5 feet tall and was most certainly created for devotional purposes, to be displayed in a church or chapel. Besides its impressive size this sculpture is an excellent, museum-quality example of the Spanish “Estofado” polychrome technique, developed during the Gothic period to imitate rich brocade fabrics. The finely carved “fabric” areas of the sculpture would be first covered in gesso, and then a layer of gold leaf would be applied. The gold leaf would then be painted over with various colors of tempera paints. Once dry, the painted surface would be incised or scratched away in patterns, revealing the gold beneath. The sculpture was professionally restored in 2022 by a firm that is often hired by the Spanish government to work on historic building interiors and museum pieces. The virgin was carefully cleaned, repaired and its condition stabilized. A complete and fully-illustrated restoration report will be included with purchase. Often confused with the virgin birth of Jesus, the belief that the Blessed Virgin Mary herself was conceived “immaculately” without original sin has been variously defended and debated within the Catholic Church since the pre-Middle Ages. For centuries, artists struggled to create an acceptable visual representation of this highly abstract concept, in part taking inspiration from the Book of Revelation and other scriptural sources. We see the Virgin standing on a half moon (biblically inspired, though also an ancient symbol of chastity) with her long natural hair loose down her back, another indication of purity. Both her white tunic and flowing blue mantle...

A special musical design object for lovers of music and transforming technology. This is a handcrafted model of the first gramophone, elaborately crafted and true to detail despite ...

Exquisite Japanese Contemporary porcelain beckoning cat, a uniquely and intricately gilded and hand painted porcelain sculpture from the Kutani region of Japan. The cat raising his left paw is adorned with multiple golden medallions and is covered with raised loops characteristic of the Kutani “mori” style. While the origins of the Japanese beckoning cat are unclear, contemporary woodblock prints show they were being widely sold as good luck charms by the 1850s. The beckoning cat comes in two varieties. The more common right-handed beckoning cat (with right paw raised) is said to bring money and wealth to its owner, and are to this day frequently seen in shops and restaurants in Japan. The less common left-handed cat is said to be inviting friends and acquaintances to hearth and home. The “mori” style refers to raised loops and other decorative motifs applied by squeezing a tube of slip onto the body of the cat much like applying frosting to a cake. The cat boasts the traditional Kutani colors of bright green, red and yellow presented against an dark blue background, and is generously accentuated with gold. The red kerchief with a knotted amulet in the back and two bells on the side also identify this as a traditional Kutani piece, as do the perked ears turned outward. A stamp indicating it is produced in Kutani region of Japan appears at reverse side of this beckoning cat scultures...

'Flow Petit No 20' is a unique artwork by the Danish artists, Egeværk. It is created from Wengé sourced from Africa - Congo and Cameroon - (wood, FSC* certified) with an inlay of 24c...

This is a unique custom surfboard featuring a marquetry deck incorporating 24 carat gold leaf, designed and hand-crafted by the w o o d p o p studio which specialises in marquetry an...

A Magnificent and Quite Rare English Asprey Signed Orientalist Motif Masterpiece with Dessert Palm Tree and Parcel-Gilt Silver Camels having Diamond Eyes. Gorgeously constructed in ...

Murano hand blown Italian art glass bird sculpture or figurine features a minimal, restrained palette of dark red and off-white with delicate gold lead, or aventurine, accents. The ...

Sculpture of Womanin Silver Foil and Gold Italy 1970s Guido Mariani

Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown frothy bubbles, over black core and gold flecks Italian art glass cat sculpture. The piece is attributed to designer Alfredo Barbini, circa 1950s....

Exquisite, rare and large Murano art glass sculpture of a pair of glistening koi fish. This murano art glass sculpture was hand made using the sommerso technique on the Venetian isla...

18th century Italian gold leaf sunray mounted on a blue celestite sphere and wrapped in perfectly coordinating blue preserved coral. The 18th century gold leaf sunray was once a par...

Hand Created Sculpture Decorative Objects, stone Horned Bull, Ancient Pixiu for Home Decor In tradition As for all other Zoroastrian cosmological beliefs, the primary source of info...

18th century Italian "Florence Fragment" candlestick base mounted and adorned with quartz crystals and topped with an ammonite. This fragment is from a church in Florence. It was found and saved from the historic Florence Flood of 1966. It is part of the The Florence Fragment Collection which is exhibiting with Museo de’ Medici in Florence, Italy this fall. This is a collection of historical fragment...

'Erratic with 12ct White Gold Leaf' is a handblown and cut glass sculpture created by the British artist, Anthony Scala. The geological term 'erratic' refers to a stone or boulder t...

This magnificent study of flowers is wrought from gold and silver, amethyst and other minerals, and natural pearls. The study features sprigs of Holly with mineral berries and gold leaves springing from a green stone crop of rock. Grasses, also wrought from gold, spring from the same crop of rock, and the floor is littered with litter and debris, including an exquisitely produced pinecone. The flowers are set above a brown backing and surrounded by a red mount within a gilt frame. The work is signed ‘William Tolliday...

Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown emerald green and gold flecks Italian art glass swan sculpture / bird figurine. The swan has an elegant long thin neck with outstretched wings. Th...

An amazing and rare Chinese silver Nine Phoenix Coronet or Crown, Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644), late 16th to early 17th century, China. A delicate and...

Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamonds, Silver-Gilt, Rock-Crystal, Jade, Mother-Of-Pearl and Smoky Quartz, Carved Horse Sculpture, Jeweled Mounted Object. An extremely rare and unique, one of a kind French gold, diamonds, Silver-gilt, rock-crystal, jade, obsidian, mother-of-pearl, and smoky quartz carved jeweled sculpture "CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE", "A Legendary Horse" by Mellerio, Paris, circa 1991. Sitting on black obsidian base, the solid rock-crystal slab is finely applied with a carved smoky -quartz and jade horse with a harness mounted in 18k gold, brilliant -cut diamonds, rubies, turquoise, and amethyst chains and pendants. The top columns adorned with 18k gold and brilliant cut diamond pendants, the bottom with gold and mother of pearl plaques. The obsidian base with a plaque engraved: CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE" / N° 05 / MELLERIO DITS MELLER / PARIS / 5003 D The piece is in excellent condition and comes with a custom made wood case made for transport. It's very elegant and has French hallmarks throughout. A truly magnificent piece. Measures 10.5" high x 8.5" wide x 4" deep Founded in France in 1613 by the descendants of Italian immigrants from the Vigezzo Valley in the north of Italy, Mellerio is one of the oldest jewellery houses in Europe. The family business soon attracted the attention of the Royal Court and Marie Antoinette herself reportedly purchased a precious bracelet featuring 7 cameos surrounded by rubies in 1780. Later on, in the 19th century, Mellerio became the official supplier of the French Royal family and the Court of Netherland. Mellerio creates many jewellery items, all set with rare gems such as peridots, amethysts, aquamarines, citrines and topaz, applying for a patent, the flexible stem, a very supple and light jewellery mechanism. Mellerio remains also well known for their spectacular series of Art Nouveau jewels, created at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as for the creation of trophies rewarding some of the greatest footfall and tennis players of history. In 1993, the jewellery house launched their first watch collection. Today, Mellerio has stores in Paris, Japan and Hong Kong. July 14, 1789: this date is known throughout the world as the beginning of the French Revolution. According to a ledger belonging to House of Mellerio, this was also the day that the jeweler sold a golden key to the Comte de Coutance for 10 livres. This ledger, as well as inventories dating as far back as 1768, are the jeweler’s oldest archives. These archives have continued to grow over the years, as the House, established on rue de la Paix in Paris, still lives on today, still in the hands of the same family from Craveggia, in the North of Italy. The tumultuous history of the Mellerio family in France probably goes as far back as the Italian wars of the Renaissance, but the first official document proving their commercial activity in Paris dates back to 1613. This document is the famous royal warrant awarded by Marie de Medici to a number of Italian families established along the rue des Lombards, including the Mellerios, allowing them to sell “small jewelery items”, therefore granting them a small exception to the traditional monopoly enjoyed by Parisian jewelers. At that time, powerful corporations regulated the operations and customs of Parisian business, but thanks to this exceptional warrant, the Mellerios managed to escape the confines of this framework. Today, this wax-sealed document is kept at the city hall of Craveggia. From 1613 to the Revolution, the Mellerios lived between France and Italy. The corporations tried many times to put an end to their trade privileges, but all in vain, as a dynasty of sovereigns renewed the warrant. Always marrying and often retiring in Craveggia, the Mellerios continued to maintain their jewelry business in Paris. At first, they did this without a shop. Wearing backpacks (wooden boxes divided into small compartments where jewels were kept), they would tour town fairs around Paris and royal castles. This is how Jean-Baptiste Mellerio (1765-1850) is said to have sold a bracelet set with rubies and Antique cameos to Marie-Antoinette, which still exists today. Many elements seem to prove the veracity of this anecdote. The queen was particularly fond of cameos, which cover the entire background of her famous jewelry cabinet, and ruby was her favorite stone after diamond. The famous bracelet, reacquired a few years ago by the House of Mellerio, is indeed an 18th century jewel, set with antique cameos representing the profiles of Roman emperors. Two branches of the family were operating in Paris during this time, under the reign of Louis XVI: that of Jean-François (1746-1828), the paternal ancestor of the current Mellerios, and that of Jean-Baptiste (1765-1850). The French Revolution forced them to return to Italy. However, both Jean-Baptiste and François Mellerio (1772-1843), who was the son of Jean-François, were eventually able to return to Paris after the founding of the Consulate. Jean-Baptiste opened a shop at the Iron Crown of rue Vivienne, and François opened his at the Palais des Tuileries, rue du Coq Saint-Honoré. His well-organized order books give an idea of his high-ranking clientele during the “Old Regime”, among which were the Comte and Comtesse Octave de Segur, the Marquise (later Duchess) de Tourzel, former governess of the royal children, and her daughter, the Comtesse de Bearn, the Craufurds -who organized the flight to Varennes, the Duc and Duchess de Gramont, the Comtesse de Boigne, and Madame de Souza, Talleyrand’s mistress. We also see the names of the imperial family: Empress Josephine, the Queen of Holland, Princess Elisa, Caroline and Pauline. At that time, the House of Mellerio specialized, among other things, in the trade of antique cameos, a newly fashionable genre of jewel that captured the imagination of all the princesses and noble women of the time. The years of the Restauration and July Monarchy were among the most glorious. The Bourbons were back on the throne, and the clientele of the House of Mellerio had regained its former wealth. Mellerio supplied Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, as well as his mother, wife and sister, with sumptuous jewels, including a set of emeralds made piece by piece, while the Duke of Bourbon, last prince of the House of Condé, offered diamonds to his mistress, the scheming Baronne de Feucheres, and Monsieur de LaFayette also bought cameos for one of his granddaughters. For the first time, Mellerio ventured into the world of arts in 1815, when Carlotta Grisi, a famous dancer who created Giselle, as well as an actress named Rachel, bought jewels at the Mellerio store on rue de la Paix. 1848 marked a new turning point. France once again became a Republic. François Mellerio handed the company over to his son, Jean, and the latter decided to travel to Spain to build a new clientele. He later became one of the jewelers of the royal family, and met Eugénie de Montijo, who remained a faithful client when she became empress of the French people. The Imperial years were lavish. During the Second Empire, Paris was a pageant of crinoline dresses designed by Worth, while jewels by Mellerio, Worth’s neighbour on the rue de la Paix, adorned the noble women of the Tuileries court. The Empress bought pearls. Mathilde Bonaparte...

Beautifully made large 19th century Siam standing Buddha sculpture in gilt bronze sold through the Karl Springer showroom on custom ebonized wood ...

An exceptionally large and rare French Art Deco original bronze sculpture circa 1927 by a well known artist Georges Lavaroff (1895-1991) It's quite uncommon to find this very large size and notably featuring the silver and parcel gilt finish. The artwork features a majestic female nude, adorned with a stylized cloak in alternating stripes of gold and silver, which showcases a pyramid shape. The Egyptian goddess is depicted as an undraped figure with arms outstretched above her head, holding a crescent moon. She wears a north star headdress that adds to her regal appearance. The cloak is embellished with stars and a comet, and the female figure rests on a bed of stylized clouds. The sculpture is presented on its original black and gold marble base. All of these attributes add to the uniqueness and value of the artwork, making it even more remarkable and sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts. Water bottle shown for scale. Documentation : Les bronzes Art Deco de Georges Lavaroff, sculpteur Russe a Paris 1930 Kastelyn et Mazzucotelli. Georges Lavaroff was born in Sibera in 1895. He studied medicine and painting. After the revolution of 1917 he moved to Moscow and became a member of the Russian artists association where he began to exhibit his work and take part in shows as a member of the Association of artists of Revolutionary Russia. He then worked in France from 1927 until 1935. This period was the richest point of his profession where he produced his most famous works of Art Deco figures...

Art Nouveau gilded bronze nude statue by George Flamand. Very fine period work. Sits on 3 3./4" square base. Signed "FLAMAND"

17th century Italian hand-carved and gilded crown adorned with herkimer diamonds and mounted on an antique gold base. This was original from a historical Italian church and would ha...

An Exquisite 14K Gold, Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires, and Semi Precious Stone Mounted Rhodonite Camel. Possibly by Verdura, circa 1970, Italy. A very good quality and unusual gold mounted jeweled object...

This shows the Classic Murano figurine head with the casque hair position. The bowl has been waved to hot attach the two busts that are connected to t...

Bonsai Tree by Pierre Salagnac Material: Bronze, 24K gold, brass Dimensions: H 100 x 70 x 70 cm Type: one-of-the-kind Year: 2023 Revealing the organic curves of nature in the metal block with great talent, Pierre Salagnac has made a name for himself in the world of interior design thanks to his Bonsai Trees that he has “planted” all over the world. The artist creates the trunk by sculpting the shape and texture directly into the bronze material. The 265 different models of leaves are molded, casted and chiseled one by one then finished with 24k gold. The floor part is sculpted from brass and also finished in 24k gold, before being embedded in a traditional Japanese ceramic pot...

Beautiful vintage set of Murano hand blown blue green iridescent and gold flecks Italian art glass apple and banana figures / sculptures. The pieces are documented to designer Alfred...

Antique Alabaster Chandelier / Pendant w. Bronze Godd Sculptures & Rose Shades. If you're looking for a lighting piece that truly tells a story — one that combines artistry, craftsm...

"TuttiTappi (Surprise!)", 2022, porcelain found object, earthenware and 18k gold Measures: H 34 x 16 cm Real 18K gold has been applied through third firing on the internal sculpt...

A silver-gilt and enamel Austro-Hungarian horse drawn carriage model Austro-Hungarian, Early 20th Century Case: 28cm high x 89cm wide x 44...

Silver and silver gilt nef sailing ship Continental, 20th Century Height 44cm, width 38cm, depth 12cm Made from silver and silver gilt, this nef, also known as a model ship, is br...

Charming beckoning cat with left paw raised is a gilded and hand painted porcelain piece from the Kutani region of Japan. Beckoning cats come in two varieties. The more common right-handed beckoning cat (with right paw raised) is said to bring money and wealth to its owner, and are to this day frequently seen in shops and restaurants in Japan. The less common left-handed cat is said to be inviting friends and acquaintances to hearth and home. While the origins of the Japanese beckoning cat (known as maneki neko in Japanese) are unclear, contemporary woodblock...

Pair of 18th century Italian gold-leaf fragment horse head sculptures. The pair is made of 18th century Italian water-gilt fragments mounted on scroll wood bases. The fragments come...

Beautiful and large, vintage Murano hand blown deep pink over white, and gold flecks Italian art glass bird sculpture. The figure is documented to the Salviati company. I have anothe...

18th century Italian hand-carved and painted angel wing with baroque pearls and mounted on honey calcite crystal. The hand-carved angel wing was once part of a heavenly, angelic de...

1. Professional and Artistic Description: We are pleased to present for sale a superb and richly detailed ornamental Cup, testifying to the zenith of French Decorative Arts during ...

Large and stunningly figural Egyptian design, style marble clock garniture, circa 1920. If you are looking for a statement piece for your mantel and you have an interest in worldly ...

18th century Italian cross mounted on a polished pink hematite quartz heart and adorned with aurora (sunset) quartz and a natural-forming cross shaped baroque pearl. The 18th centu...

Sculpture gold horse with amber crystals, sculpture all made in porcelain and gold plated in 24 karat. With amber carved small Swarowski crystals meticulously hand-applied. Excepti...

Beautiful, antique, early Murano hand blown Sommerso red, controlled bubbles and gold leaf Italian art glass fish sculpture on clear base. Created in the manner of designer Flavio Po...

Beautiful and cute, vintage Murano hand blown black and orange with gold flecks accents Italian art glass clown sculpture and bowl. Attributed to designer Alfredo Barbini, for the Salviati company. The figure has a green hat with gold, pink hair, clear head with large eyes and exited facial expressions. The arms are in clear glass with Sommerso gold leaf and yellow gloves on the hands. The body is the actual bowl with black outside and orange inside. The clown stands on oversized white and gold leaf shoes with large black soles. Would make a great display piece on any desk, coffee table or credenza. It can be displayed 2 ways. Fill it with candy when laying down or display it as a sculpture standing up. Mid-century era. A must for the Barbini clown...

19th century Italian hand-carved gilded angels mounted aragonite.  The hand-carved angels were once part of a heavenly, angelic depiction in a historic church in Tuscany. The aragon...

French Louis XVI style life sized Sevres biscuit porcelain bust of Marie-Therese Louise Di Savoia-Carignano on a gilt decorated blue glazed so...

Tall floor torchère sculpture by Mar Co.' and 'M.A.C. Sculpture, Inc. California. This baroque inspired sculptural floor candlestick is made of resin with a reflective gilt painted f...

Pair of 19th century Italian hand-carved and gilded angel wings on calcite crystal points in matrix. The pair hand-carved gilded and gilded angel wings are originally from a histor...

PRESENTING A GLORIOUSLY QUIRKEY AND WHIMSICAL Maitland Smith Gilt Bronze Monkey Paper Towel Holder. Made by the well known maker, Maitland Smith,...

Southern Costa Rica or Western Panama, circa 800 to 1500 AD. A very fine example of the goldwork of the Veraguas-Chiriqui-Diquis region. A pendant in Carbonera style of a supernatural being, a composite monster with human torso and feline (probably jaguar) head. The figure is set in a frame decorated with little animal heads, one at each corner. The hands have also turned into animal heads. In place of genitalia is a stylized serpent head suspended by a twisted cord that was supposed to continue across the frame. A minor casting accident prevented it form being attached to the frame. A modern goldsmith would solder in two short lengths of twisted wire, but the ancient goldsmith did not have the equipment to make such repair. A double thread ending in spirals goes across the frame behind the neck of the figure, helping to fill up the frame and avoiding a large empty space. The word "thread" reminds us that the twisted and straight cords were, in the original wax model of the pendant really extruded wax threads, turned into metal by the lost wax (cire perdue) process. The braid pattern on the frame is illusory, just two twisted threads of extruded wax laid side by side. The goldsmith made the toes out of extruded wax thread too, very decorative as well. The piece comes with a certificate of authenticity by Mr. Robert Sonin, 5 May 2006. ref. photo roll 3301. A world renowned expert on Pre-Columbian Artifacts...

17th Century Italian polychromed and gold gilded on wood panel Sienese style painting of the Madonna Enthroned with the child and two adoring angels behind them. The halos are beautifully adorned with punch work. She is framed by a hand-carved gold gilded and velvet lined frame and sitting on a hand-carved matching base. The piece is mounted on a Lucite panel and framed with a contemporary hand-finished wood molding.

Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown bright red, dark purple and gold flecks Italian art glass fish sculpture. The piece is documented to designer Archimede Seguso. It is created in t...

This natural Crystallized Gold specimen from the famed Mockingbird Mine in California exemplifies the sculptural beauty of Crystallized Gold. Rising in an elegant, vertically elongat...

Born in 1992 in Macerata in the Marche region, the Italian artist carried out a path that between studies of Surveyor and Architecture led him to a long collaboration with a craft co...

Beautiful and large, vintage Murano hand blown rich orange over white, and gold flecks Italian art glass bird sculpture. The figure is documented to the Salviati company. The bird st...

An Italian 18th century sculpture of St. Peter of Verona. A magnificent sculpture of St Peter martyr of Verona, created by a member of the Lombard art school in Verona Italy, in the...

Antique Buddha Head Sculpture on Plinth - Spiritual Home Décor Interior Design Accent Beautiful antique-style Buddha head sculpture, Resin bronze finish on plinth. Perfect for ...

Exquisite Murano Art Glass Bird of Paradise Peacock or Pheasant Sculpture by Alfredo Barbini. Hand crafted on the Venetian island of Murano in Italy using the most beautiful sapphire...

Sculptural 18th century Italian candlestick with a fossil clam shell and gold leaf barnacles mounted on a cut rock coral base. The hand-carved, 18th century candlestick originally came from a church in Tuscany. It is mounted on a cut and fossilized rock coral base. The mounted fossil...

This substantial natural Crystallized Gold from the famed Mockingbird Mine in California exhibits a strikingly intricate structure. This prime specimen truly epitomizes the rare beau...

Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown orange, white and gold flecks Italian art glass bird with flower sculpture / paperweight. Documented to designer Archimede Seguso. The piece has a...

Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white and gold flecks Italian art glass baby bird figurine sculpture. Documented to the Seguso Vetri d'Arte company, recently found on their illus...

Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown bright red, dark purple and gold flecks Italian art glass fish sculpture. The piece is documented to designer Archimede Seguso. It is created in t...

Beautiful and very cute set of Murano hand-blown Pink Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Dove Birds Documented to designer Archimede Seguso, in the “Pulveri” technique. One still retains ...