Glass Architectural Models

Compagnonnage is the French tradition in which a future builder, after several years of apprenticeship with a master, completes a tour de France (or sometimes, as is often the case with woodworkers, of Germany) to pursue further expertise and knowledge of the craft. At the end of each stop on this tour the apprentice completes a work reflecting his skill level. Typically, these were collected by antiquarians, architects and historians of architecture and design. Works of compagnonnage were brought into the spotlight by Bill Blass, who collected beautiful model staircases and whose home was much admired. The Cooper-Hewitt Museum hosted an exhibition of masterful examples, and further illuminated the process of apprenticeship: “Compagnonnage, meaning “group of companions,” is a type of design practice that combined formal study with practical training from masters. Apprentices honed their skills in a workshop during the day, taking courses in the art of geometrical drawing and design in the evening, living together in a boarding house. First, concepts were taught, then the handiwork, both of which became increasingly sophisticated…At each stage of the learning process (acceptance, reception, mastership), apprentices created models, leading them to become masters of their craft and design.” We have never seen a model of revolving doors...

A wonderful c. 1860 English diorama of Stanfield Hall, even the original case & glass in outstanding condition. Note the wonderful use of shells, dried flowers & grasses for landscap...

An utterly charming terrarium in the form of a Japanese pagoda, a stepped gilt and ebonsied base housed on bun feet, with four archtectural pillars. All sides are glazed and well sea...

A spectacular and finely executed Marquette of Giotto's famous campanile in Florence, Italy. This carved and reticulated walnut model of the bell tower has mirrored inserts and remai...

Early-20th Century Working Scratch Built Windmill Model We are proud to offer an original one-off example of an early 20th century English scratch-built model of a working windmill...

Depicting St. James Palace in London, this remarkable two-train fusée architectural skeleton clock is a wonderful specimen of 19th-century English clockmaking. Crafted by the preeminent firm of Evans of Handsworth, Birmingham, this rare architectural model became popular around the golden anniversary of Queen Victoria’s reign. The highly complex timepiece boasts a brass triple-layer frame, a characteristic found only in the most attractive and important Evans timepieces. Not only is this clock visually stunning, but it is also a mechanical triumph with its chain-driven fusée movement fronted by a porcelain face. Set upon its original rosewood marquetry base beneath a custom glass dome, this magnificent timepiece is among the finest examples of its kind. The Birmingham firm of William F. Evans of Handsworth was one of the most respected makers of skeleton clocks. The golden age of their manufacture occurred during the second half of the 19th century, particularly from the 1860s through the 1880s, and the firm was renowned for the stellar quality, grand size and superior materials utilized in the creation of their clocks. Skeleton clocks are among the most exceptional and intriguing timepieces ever made and were designed to display as much of the working mechanism as possible. Often the result of the highest quality workmanship, skeleton clocks are actually some of the earliest clocks, some dating from the mid-16th century as drum clocks...

A beautiful vintage glass terrarium with wire work, beautiful for display.

Fantastic miniature doll house by Tom Roberts who over his career has created approximately 40 of these small unique masterpieces. This house is a...

Made in the 1960s from over 40,000 matchsticks by Bernard Martell. The artist spent over 1700 hours meticulously reproducing the architectural splendor of the Brighton Royal Pavilion in a 1:100 scale model. It was first exhibited at Marlborough House and then for many years alongside the Pavilion, in the town of Brighton, England. The Royal Pavilion was built as seaside palace for King George IV by the architect John Nash in the Anglo-Raj style, very much in vogue in the English Regency period with its domes, minarets and intricate embellishments, inspired by the architecture in Colonial India. The building with its lavishly decorated interiors was finally completed in 1823 and remains very much intact to this day due to ongoing important preservation work. This unique architectural model is presented in a custom made glass case and mounted on a black lacquered Parsons table.

We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice Sanders & Mackenzie sterling silver hallmarked Art deco style small picture frame 1931 A nice ...

Dramatic pair of midcentury pagodas crafted with wood and metal painted red and decorated with distressed mirrors. The finials, bases, and mirror frames are distressed gold leaf. The...

We are delighted to offer for sale for this exceptionally rare original Apple Computers stained glass logo on stand There are multiple high definition super-sized pictures at the bottom of this page This is part of a small suite of highly collectable items, the other pieces are listed under my other items and not included in this auction, they include a Tiffany ballpoint pen...