French Framed Lithograph of Napoleon after Canova

Two French matted and framed 18th century black and white engravings inspired by Classical Antiquity. The first frame contains an engraving of a woman patting a unicorn, and a man an...

A large, nicely-framed Italian hand-colored engraving in tones of terracotta and black (17th century, with more recent matte and frame) by Pietro Bartoli. The engraving depicts the mosaic ceiling in the church of Santa Costanza outside of Rome, which was studied by the ecclesiatical archaeologist Giovanni Ciampini. The mosaic ceiling no longer exists, but is known through various depictions of the artwork, such as this engraving. The images include Christian imagery including the sacrifice of Cain and Abel and possibly Noah building the ark. The upper row of mosaics is believed to represent scenes from the New Testament, with caryatids dividing the ceiling into twelve segments. The engraving is captioned in Latin: "Opus Musiuum olim in tholo Templi, quod vulgo creditur Bacchi, nunc Sancte Constantie extra Portam Piam cariatides, et Telamones in duodecium dividant Segmenta, ubi plura autumnales ferias, et piscationis Genium demostrant, iuxta interpretionem Ciampini qui mediatatem exhibet Veterum monum." In the 17th century, the church of Santa Costanza was known as the "Temple of Bacchus," and was the site of rowdy Bacchic festivals until Pope Clement XI banned the rites in 1720. Pietro Santo...

A large, nicely-framed Italian hand-colored engraving in tones of terracotta and black. The engraving depicts various figures and scenes from the house of Titus, including angels in chariots bringing love and prosperity, boys playing childhood games, fishing, and other elements of Roman life (17th century, with more recent matte and frame). Engraving is captioned in Latin: "Pictura qua Domus Titi fornices exornabat, plures exhibens Genios in bigis, variosque puerorum ludos, et piscationem, ultra alias principales figuras." "Petrus Sancte Bartoli delin." Pietro Santo...

A pair of highly decorative French gilt-bronze andirons or chenets, with attached iron bars (circa 1870), in the form of fanciful dragons, with foliate berry, acanthus leaves and oth...