Early 17th Century Religious Items

A Thai bronze head of the Buddha. Sukothai period, late 16th-early 17th century. His face with serene expression, arched eyebrows above incised eyes a...

Wonderful 17th century French Baroque cast iron figure of the Virgin praying. Likely originally part of an outdoor shrine as it has been exposed to the ...

Very rare and precious 1600s Italian massive silver crucifix in bulletin board golden wood frame Measures cm: H 40, W 26, D 6 About: On an iconogr...

Limoges enamel pax depicting the Assumption of Mary, in a silver frame in Renaissance style decorated with scrollwork and five angel heads, ca. 1600. Total height: 14.8 cm., width...

Portable sermon pulpit. Seventeenth-century sermon pulpit Constructed of poplar wood and lacquered in imitation wood. Period: 1600s. Measures: L. cm 91 - D. cm 76 - H. cm 134...

A reliquary bronze crucifix on large engraved cross pendant with two hanging small crosses at both lateral sides of the large cross, Italy, early 17th century. Both small crosses wit...

Antique print of Cupid and a crocodile. This print originates from 'Amorum Emblemata', this work includes engravings of Cupids encountering the various trials of Love. The emblematic illustrations include verses in Latin, Dutch and French. The verse of this print would translate to 'Love is the opposite of a crocodile. They say the crocodile has such a nature, that he cries when he is killing and devouring men. But Amor has an opposite nature, for he laughs when he makes lovers perish'. Artists and Engravers: Otto van Veen...

Exceptional and large 17th C Spanish Corpus Christi. Made of limewood and delicately sculpted with high quality details. The elongated, thin and stretched anatomical features contrib...

An outstanding pair of 17th century musician statues from the Siena region of Italy. These grand scale figures are masterly crafted in wood with their...

Frans van de Casteele (Kasteels) called Francesco da Castello (Brussels, ca. 1541 - Rome, 1621) Adoration of the shepherds Crowning with thorns First decade of the 17th century. Tempera and gold on parchment, 290 x 240 mm (with frame). Original wooden frame with trimmed silver foil applications; in the corners, medallions with the four evangelists. The two refined miniatures of the Adoration of the Shepherds and the Crowning with Thorns are works of the artist's full maturity, dating from the first decade of the 17th century, characterized by formal simplification and pure colors in the invoice of the garments that stand out from the eburoral incarnations of the characters. Among the numerous motifs comparable to those of other miniatures by Francesco da Castello, the small medallions with the Evangelists barely outlined on a golden background, closely recall the miniatures, of reduced dimensions, inserted in the compartments of the frame of the altar with the Mysteries del Rosario, as well as those of another box with compartments with the Tree of Jesse...

Amazing Baroque sculpture of a woman wearing a crown in original paint. Her hands are missing. Colors are untouched, recently cleaned off from a thick dark coating, I have images fro...

Rock Crystal and Gold Agnus Dei Late 16th, early 17th century Case made in Milan Agnus Dei in wax from the Vatican Among the most significant religious artifacts of the Renaissance, the Agnus Dei medallion exemplifies the height of Catholic devotional culture. Believed to hold sacramental blessings and even miraculous power, these sacred wax objects were crafted from the melted remains of the Paschal candle used in Rome and personally blessed by the Pope. Their rarity was compounded by their fragility—few survived intact, making them among the most coveted religious items of their time. This extraordinary example, dating from the late 16th to early 17th century, defied the odds of survival. Encased in its original rock crystal and gold setting, among the most luxurious materials available when it was made, the wax itself features subtle yet remarkably preserved imprints—an almost impossible feat given its delicate nature. It is the only known example outside of a museum, with possibly two others in institutional collections. Made for a patron of exceptional wealth, this late Renaissance masterpiece marries religious significance with extraordinary craftsmanship. The oval rock crystal frame encases the wax Agnus Dei, encircled by exquisite gold mounting with black enamel detailing and twisted gold cord. Rock crystal caryatids shaped as dog heads with gold collars transition into female busts that curve into scrolls, resting on teardrop elements adorned with vibrant enamel. Two elegant gold scrolls wrap around back-to-back dog muzzles at the top, crowned by an enamel-decorated knob and suspension ring—creating a devotional object of unparalleled artistic refinement. The fragile composition of Agnus Dei medallions meant that most were easily damaged—cracking, collecting dirt or crumbling over time. Their pristine whiteness held such sacred significance that in 1572, Pope Gregory XIII issued a Papal Bull...

Emaille de Limoges Plaquette, frame bronze with emaille. Depicting Maria Magdalena, 17th century or earlier.