18th Century and Earlier Sculptures

18th century reliquary from northern Italy. Giltwood, polychromed and looks to be hand carved from one piece of wood. Mortised thru the base. A reliquary was used to house a religio...

Conlinoceras Tarrantense Ammonite Fossil, 90-100 Million Years Old. The Conlinoceras Tarrantense Ammonite is considered rare and is highly sought after as a collector's item. Thi...

From the largest meteorite shower in recorded history, this impressive iron fragment is a beautiful natural sculpture from the Sikhote-Alin meteorite. Formed 4.5 billion years ago, i...

Large white crystal quartz geode with a large naturally forming baroque pearl. 28lbs. Geodes are formed as gas bubbles within volcanic lava. Over time, the lava flow weathers away to leave the quartz geode buried deep in the Moroccan desert. This was dug by hand and includes druzy white crystal formations. This is a large geode specimen...

Large Plant Fossil/Fern Fossil Specimen, Multiple Species, Carboniferous Period. Discovered in PA. This is another large, substantial and colorful fossil plate specimen. The largest ...

This spectacular, almost heart-shaped cross-section of fossilised incense cedar wood is a beautifully aesthetic display piece, with vibrant hues of browns, oranges and creams, as wel...

Stunning handcarved wooden head fragment with beautiful expression and glass eyes, Italy, circa 1750-1800. Beautiful example of 18th century craftsmanship. Weathered Measurement her...

Amazing 18th century carved wooden Baroque arm of a Saint figure. This piece was once part of a procession Saint figure. The arm is now placed at a wooden base and as visible on the ...

A very large, one of a kind epimorph amethyst. This piece is a visual spectacle with the natural sculptural formations of amethyst in a different ...

Complete conch shell mounted on a large crystal quartz cluster and adorned with two crystal points, highlighting the neutral and warm hues of the shell. The piece was collected and ...

Wooden cross Guanajuato, Mexico Wood, paint 22 x 13 inches, (56 cm x 33 cm) 18th century A wonderful old wooden cross with a painted crucified Christ figure, an angel, possibly Mary Magdelene...

Extra Large Jurassic Ammonite Fossil 11 x 10.5 x 3.75" w/ Leafy Suture Patterns. Comes with a second, tiny (1.25 x 1 x .5) ammonite, further demonstrating the size of this one. This...

Provenance : - Kunsthaus Heinrich Hahn, Frankfurt am Main, sale 16, June 17, 1930, lot 16. - Sotheby's, Amsterdam, Feb. 26, 2006, lot 201. HISTORIC Located between Moselle valley and Meuse valley, framed by the Vosges Mountains on the south side and the duchy of Luxembourg on the north side, the duchy of Lorraine is the result of several partitions. It starts with the 9th century when the Carolingian empire is divided, with Lothar 1st inheriting Lotharingia. In 959 this territory was in turn divided in two; Lower and Upper Lotharingia, the latter being the forebear of the duchy of Lorraine. This duchy was under the rule of the Holy Roman Germanic Empire until 1736 when it was absorbed by the kingdom of France. All along its history the duchy of Lorraine has found itself in the midst of many conflicts. Alliances and feuds marking European history were always particularly sensible in Lorraine where instability was frequent. Because of its geographic position the duchy of Lorraine was also an artistic crossroad. Hence the duchy of Lorraine becomes from the 13th century onwards an important artistic centre where a particular type of Virgin and Child appears. According to professor J. A. Schmoll the characteristics of Lorraine sculpture burgeon around 1280-1300 in the Aube region. It presents “vigorous volumes, restrained movements, rare but solemn gestures and a strong interiorised and stern expression”. Those Virgins look similar with a wide forehead, a shield- or oval-shaped face, large neck, small lips and a cleft chin. This model is particularly in favour during the 13th century because of the revival for Marial worship and for the theme of the Virgin and Child. It bears witness to a new religious sensibility with a more intimate vision of religious practice. DESCRIPTION The important 14th century Virgin we present to you is one of the most beautiful examples of sculptural art from Eastern France, with her fascinating distant gaze. Her contrapposto posture is induced by the weight of the child she carries high on her left side. The child has a chubby face framed by blond hair with well defined curls and he wears a long red V-collared tunic from which emerge his feet. The fabric is animated by long folds. The position of the right foot turned to the back is a detail we can notice on several Virgins from Lorraine. He holds a bird that seems to be pecking his thumb. “The bird /held by the child in his hands/ has been read as a reference to an episode from Christ’s childhood when he has moulded sparrows with clay before giving them life. It appears in the apocryphal gospel of Pseudo-Matthew (ch. 27) and later in the Quran (III, 43, v. 110). However the iconography seems to be more influenced by the concept of Redemption or of Eucharist, the bird symbolising the soul of the Christian about to be redeemed or revitalised.” Mary wears a long dress with two rock crystal cabochons remaining from the original five. She is covered by a red cloak enriched with old-gold motifs draped as an apron falling in long pleats along her left hip. The relief treatment and the volume of the cloak developing a network of concentric pleats contrast with the the flat pleating of her dress. They nevertheless suggest the curve of her bent right leg. She wears a floret crown securing a short thin veil carved in very low relief. From it emerges her blond curled hair characteristic of the 13th century. The large face with almond-shaped eyes, straight nose, small lips and cleft chin casts its gaze afar in a fashion typical of 13th century Virgins. In her right hand she holds a lily flower. In a very refined manner the artist has carved a band on her right ring-finger. In the back, carefully sculpted, spreads the minutely detailed short veil. COMPARATIVE STUDIES This sculpture of great quality presents obvious similarities with Virgins from Lorraine, designated by William Forsythe...

This incredible 27" long fossilized brow horn belonged to the Medusaceratops Iokii: an herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period circa 78-77 million years ago...

Beautiful handcarved giltwood bird ornament. Made out of wood with later chalk restorations. Italy circa 1780 . Weathered, losses and old repairs. Measurements individual and includ...

Trilobites, an early arthropod relative of spiders, horseshoe crabs, and scorpions, preserved in this level of detail only occurred as a result of very sudden underwater landslides c...

This authentic Spinosaurus vertebra fossil originates from the world-renowned Kem Kem Formation in the Sahara Desert of Morocco, a region celebrated for yielding some of the most ico...

Oriented Stone Meteorite Chondrite 5.00 kg Detached from its parent body by a mighty impact, this large, oriented Meteorite travelled over a hu...

A beautifully preserved 95+ million year old fossilized turtle skull from the Kem Kem fossil formation in Morocco, exhibiting outstanding anatomical detail. The bone structure remain...

A beautifully preserved fossilized turtle skull from the Kem Kem fossil formation in Morocco, exhibiting outstanding anatomical detail. The bone structure remains highly intact, with...

POLYCHROME CARVED WOOD VIRGIN AND CHILD FROM THE 15TH CENTURY   ORIGIN: SOUTH GERMANY, SWABIA, NUREMBERG REGION PERIOD: 15th CENTURY   Height: 94,6cm Width : 28 cm Depth : 18 cm   Lime wood Original Polychromy Good state of conservation     From 1430 onwards, sculpture underwent a profound stylistic renewal which continued until 1530, the so-called late Gothic period. In the Germanic countries, original sculptures flourished in an expressive and sensitive vein.
This renewal was inspired by the art of Nicholas of Leiden, who was active in Strasbourg in the 1460's. His style broke with the refined and delicate art of the international Gothic style in force throughout Europe around 1400. The figures became more authentic and realistic. The bodies became denser. Clothes are animated by deep, broken folds, the fabrics are heavy and have a great decorative value. In addition, the polychromy is intended to be illusionistic. The painting makes it possible to restore the texture of the materials, the richness of the textiles and the natural skin tone of the characters.   The dissemination of images through engraving and the great mobility of the artists led to the success of this style, which conquered the Upper Rhine, Swabian, Tyrolean and Franconian regions, contributing to the formation of a common stylistic identity in these regions. The economic boom in the flourishing German cities was conducive to the development of original production. Attracted by this prosperity, numerous workshops were set up in order to meet the orders of religious communities, the Church and the laity, including a clientele of middle-class rockers.      This precious Virgin and Child is depicted standing on a crescent moon, her head encircled by a crown of tall flowers. Her long wavy hair spreads over her shoulders, framing her beautiful oval face. Under fine eyebrows drawn with a brushstroke, her almond-shaped, slightly drooping eyes look at the Child with infinite softness. She is dressed in a long red dress with a rounded neckline, belted under the chest. The heavy fabric of her dress spreads out in broken folds at her feet. On her shoulders she wears a golden cloak. The drapery has deep folds. She holds out her right hand while she holds the Christ Child with her left.   Christ, with his well-defined hair, is naked. His cheeks are highlighted with red, he holds an apple in his left hand and with the other hand makes a sign of blessing towards the faithful.   Virgins with Child on a crescent moon were very popular in the second half of the 15th century, especially as the central subject of altarpieces in southern Germany and Austria. The crescent moon on which Mary is standing is reminiscent of the Woman of the Apocalypse. Often equated with the Virgin Mary.    This episode is taken from the Book of Revelation (12:1-6)   1 Then a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. ; 2 She was pregnant, and she cried out because she was in labor, in pain from giving birth. ; 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: it was a great fiery red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads. ; 4 His tail swept down a third of heaven's stars and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth so that when she gave birth, he might devour her child. ; 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child who is to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was snatched up to God and his throne. ; 6 Then the woman fled into the desert, where God has prepared a place for her. There she will be taken care of for one thousand two hundred sixty days.   Some theologians see in this woman a reference to the Virgin Mary and in the child, Jesus.    
This remarkable work is a very fine example of sculpture from Swabian workshops in the last decades of the 15th century. It presents all the characteristic stylistic elements: a highly girdled silhouette, an abundant drapery with angular folds, but also a great physical presence accentuated by the polychromy that restores the anatomical details. This group is made of a wooden log. The deep folds of the drapery highlight the movement of the Virgin holding the child.       Bibliography :   Sophie Guillot de Suduiraut, Dévotion et Séduction, Sculptures souabes des musées de France, vers 1460-1530, Paris musée du Louvre-Éditions somogy, 2015   “Revelation 12 -   Common English Bible...

A large and rare second half of 15th century religious marble sculpture group, hand carved, mounted on bronze base for display. This sculpture group depicts the death of Saint Joseph...

This exceptional specimen of fossilised dinosaur skin preserves the hexagonal scales of a Brachylophosaurus (‘short-crested lizard’), giving us a rare snapshot of life 80 million yea...

Ptychopariida is a large, heterogeneous order of trilobite containing some of the most primitive species known. The earliest species occurred in the second half of the Lower Cambrian...

Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa. Cretaceous Age 65 million years Carcharodontosaurus is one of the longest and heavi...

Polished to a breath-taking finish and presented on an artistic wooden stand, this unique and beautiful piece displays a half geode. The edges of the geodes have been polished reveal...

This substantial formation consists of prominent white quartz crystals with a slight green tinge, laid over a bed of undulating stalactites. A small hon...

Pair of Antique Hand-Carved Wooden Griffin Figures – Exquisite Architectural Salvage Stunning pair of antique hand-carved wooden griffins embodies the drama and elegance of 18th to...

Conlinoceras Tarrantense Ammonite Fossil, 90-100 Million Years Old. The Conlinoceras Tarrantense Ammonite is considered rare and is highly sought after as a collector's item. Sin...

This beautifully polished lunar meteorite fragment is a precious but powerful display piece, offering both extraterrestrial provenance and striking natural beauty. This specimen is f...

Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa. Cretaceous Age 65 million years Carcharodontosaurus is one of the longest and heavi...

Sculptural 18th century Italian figure of Christ and metal sword with large red and white crystal quartz clusters and phantom quartz. The figure of Christ was originally part of a c...

XL Jurassic Ammonite Fossil 15.5 x 14 x 5.5 Inches Apx, with Nice Ribs. We think this is a Kranaosphinctes species. We love the substantial ridges (also called ribs, spines, and nod...

18th century Italian gilded and hand-carved tabernacle adorned with an 18th century Italian gilt chalice and Sabina Faye Braxton gaufrage fabric. This tabernacle once belonged in a h...

Provenance : In the same private collection for several generations, Burgundy. The canonical Gospels describe briefly the episode of the Nativity. It comprises three parts : • The Preludes : the Journey to Bethlehem, the Census • The Nativity • The Announce to the Shepherds and the Adoration of the Magi Only the Gospel according to Matthew (2, 1-12) speaks about the Adoration of the Magi. Staying vague about their number it does say they brought the newborn gold, incense and myrrh. The apocryphals, the fathers of the Church and many other authors have filled in the gaps of the evangelic tale. The sobriety and symbolic of the story have been a huge inspiration to artists. Although one of the oldest depictions of the Adoration of the Magi dates from the 2nd century the theme became very popular in Christian art during the late 14th century. One of the reasons explaining this success is that it celebrates both the Virgin and Christ at the same time. This important walnut panel is carved in a strong relief and depicts the different steps of the story of Jesus’ birth. On the left, the donkey and ox that have accompanied Mary and Joseph from Bethlehem are depicted behind a trough. On the thatch roof appears the star that would guide the magi to the place of birth of Jesus. Mary is wearing a veil and is seating on a bed. She holds her baby at arm’s length to present him to the magi. Saint Joseph is by her side. The old man is holding a cane in his left hand while from the right hand he seems to uncover himself to greet the visitors. A woman assists to the scene. In front of the holy family the three magi stand behind one another to pay their homage to the newborn. The first magi has a pointed beard. He is already kneeling out of deference and has placed his crown to his feet. He gives the baby a hanap filled with gold coins. This is Melchior as the legend describes him with white hair and a long beard. Caspar, the second magi bears a cup of incense. He is looking at the third magi and with his right hand he points to the star that has guided them there. He has a short beard and wears crakow shoes, breeches and a wide sleeved doublet. Finally Balthazar, the elegant last magi proceeds proudly towards the holy family with his one hand on the saber’s hilt and the other holding a cup. He brings the divine child the myrrh. He probably just dismounted as the horse can be seen behind him. The scene is set in a very detailed and narrative decor. In the right part of the panel the shepherd receive the announce of Jesus’ birth. An angel comes down from heaven with a scroll bearing the good news in his hands. The herding dog sleeps peacefully while sheeps graze. At the top of the cliff we notice the gilded sheeps enclosure. The panel’s moulded frame is carved with a foliated decor. In it’s centre appears a coat-of-arms. It is the alliance of the three magi’s arms. Indeed as it was common for legendary figures the three of them received imaginaries coat-of-arms. Thus, on a field of azure stands a star for Melchior, a crescent for Caspar and a pennon for Balthazar. This high-relief panel is undeniably the work of a very skilled and imaginative artist. This key moment in the New Testament is transposed to a contemporary environment thanks to the figures’ clothing and the rural daily life scene. This way the universal dimension of the episode is highlighted allowing a better understanding for the contemporaries. The sculptor has represented the episodes of the Adoration of the Magi and the Announce to the Shepherd with great talent and numerous details giving life to a picturesque and narrative scene. The important traces of polychromy give those already very animated scenes a stronger pictorial power and a rich dynamism. Because of the picturesque and familiar realism so dear to the artists of the late Medieval era, of the didactic function of this type of panel as well as the quality of the sculpture this piece is an astounding example of Burgundian art of the 15th century. Literature Louis Réau, Iconographie de l’Art chrétien...

This petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown, the mirror's round form, double ring edge and un...

A mesmerizing Gupta Empire (mid-3rd century BCE - 543 AD) mounted terracotta torso of a standing Vishnu. Vishnu is the preserver god, which means he p...

Neuralethopteris or Polymorphopteris Tree Fern Fossil, Paleozoic Era, 300+ million years old. Discovered in PA. Colors occur naturally over time through the mineralization process. T...

Genuine Spinosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth. Spinosaurus (meaning "spine lizard") is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in what now is North Africa, during the upper Albian to upper T...

Genuine Spinosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth. Spinosaurus (meaning "spine lizard") is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in what now is North Africa, during the upper Albian to upper T...

This bronze standing Buddha mounted on a turned wood base has his right palm held outward in the abhaya mudra position, a gesture of fearlessness and reassurance.

This huge, Museum-quality Spinosaur tooth is completely in tact with no repairs. This incredible specimen includes a display box for preservation and display purposes. Spinosaurus (m...

This exceptional specimen from La Viesca mine, La Collada, Asturias, Spain features sharp purple and blue fluorite cubes beautifully set on a bed of white quartz crystals. Scattered ...

This is the well preserved and fully intact fossilized femur of a Dryosaurus altus, found in Emery County, Utah within the famous fossil-rich Morrison Formation spanning much of the ...

Libyan Desert Glass Circa 29 Million y/o Height: 9.5 cm A beautiful, tactile piece of yellow glass, found between the high crested dunes of the Libyan De...

Saint Nazaire Sword, Late Bronze Age, circa 800-900 B.C. An exceptionally well preserved Bronze Age sword, with elegant, finely incised decorations,...

Sculptural 18th century Italian gilded double-mounted cross on hematite with pyrite inclusions and adorned with pyrite rosettes. A matching smaller cross is mounted onto the bigger cross...

An extraordinary stibnite specimen from China, with a tall, elongated crystal formation that evokes the shape of a silver sword. Its sleek, metallic lustre and refined symmetry give ...

A stunning amethyst formation formed of a three quarter geode with cut window, revealing deep purple amethyst crystals, with a beautiful central calcite coated in black goethite and ...

18th Century Carved Giltwood & Gesso Coat of Arms with Eagle – Rare Decorative Crest on Metal Stand A stunning and rare 18th-century carved giltwood and gesso coat of arms, this exce...

De Gilde-os: A Celebratory Dutch Delft Cow, Polychrome Pastoral: Dutch Delftware, Circa 1760 This captivating Dutch Delftware cow model, dating to circa 1760, is an exceptional exam...

This genuine Carcharodontosaurus tooth is a prehistoric treasure from one of the most fearsome predators of the Cretaceous period. With its razor-sharp serrations and blade-like shap...

18th century Italian fragment with a calcite crystal cluster in matrix mounted on a Italian glass bobeche base. The fragment is from a church in Florence. It was found and saved f...

These monumental Chinese roof tiles were once installed as part of the elaborate roof of a Ming-dynasty temple or grand courtyard home. Dated to the 17th century or earlier, the scul...

Behold the dazzling beauty of this multi-colored fluorite specimen from the USA, featuring a rich palette of violet hues interspersed with transparent areas and edges adorned with a ...

This extraordinary Woolly Mammoth tooth from Siberia is a rare relic of the Pleistocene epoch, dating back tens of thousands of years. Exhibiting distinct ridges and exceptional pres...

Wonderful angel figure Italy, circa 1750. Weathered , losses Measurement includes the wooden base. Treated against woodworm. H:36cm W:19cm D:19cm

Belonging to the period 1603-1867, most likely between the end of 17th and the beginning of 18th Century, this beautiful armour is a 32-plate suji kabuto made of brown-lacquered iron...

Head of man is a sculpture realized in polychrome ceramic with glass eyes. Neaples, 18th Century. Very good condition.

Beginning in the Bronze Age, in much of what is now Europe, there emerged a practice of ritually “killing” weapons and other possessions to be buried with the warrior to whom they ha...