Large Ethiopian Hide Shield

Late 19th Century Hide Shield, Amarro People, Ethiopia A shield from the Amarro people of Ethiopia, this is a more unusual type with raised bumps over the entire surface. The rolled...

A fabulous mid-19th century Plow from the Catalan region of Spain. Sturdily constructed from wood and hand forged iron. These pieces are wonderful as wall-mounted art, coat racks or converted into light fixtures. Great as a clothing store display fixture...

Early 19th century American primitive demilune console table featuring center drawer with brass knob, straight plain foot legs and original finish. ...

Vintage Los Angeles freeway shield from the 5 freeway in Los Angeles. Interstate 5 runs from the Tijuana/California border all the way up to the Canadian ...

This fantastic tin blue paint decorated tole ware water kettle is in amazing as found condition. It has a blue ground with painted flowers on both sides. ...

19th Century Extra-Long Brass Sleigh Bells on Leather Belt: 39 Jingle Bells, Nearly 8 Feet Long A spectacular and highly authentic set of original 19th-century brass sleigh bells, featuring an impressive 39 hand-cast bells mounted on a nearly 8-foot-long leather strap. This exceptional antique offers not only a beautiful historic presence, but also the perfect traditional “Jingle Bells” sound, bright, rich, and unmistakably festive, just as sleigh bells should be. Each bell is solid brass, tightly fastened and fully functional, producing that magical tone that modern reproductions rarely achieve. The leather strap retains its original metal buckle and remains surprisingly supple and pliable for its age. With simple annual conditioning, it should continue to remain strong and flexible for years to come. The strap appears handmade and hand-stitched, and while there are small areas of thread loss consistent with age, the original workmanship was so solid that these minor imperfections do not compromise the structural integrity of the piece. The leather has developed a beautifully worn patina that speaks to more than a century of use, adding depth and authenticity to its appearance. In the 19th century, long straps of sleigh bells like this were affixed to horse harnesses so travelers could be heard approaching through winter snow, helping prevent collisions on narrow rural roads. Over time, this cheerful sound became woven into the imagery of the holiday season and ultimately inspired the classic Christmas carol, “Jingle Bells.” Today, authentic sets like this capture the warmth and romance of Victorian winter travel and embody the nostalgia of an old-fashioned Christmas. Because of its impressive length, this sleigh bell strap lends itself beautifully to holiday decorating. Many collectors enjoy hanging it on a door so it jingles each time someone enters or exits, while others drape it across a mantel for a warm, traditional seasonal moment. It also looks wonderful wrapped around a staircase railing, stretched along a festive tablescape as a conversation piece, or even displayed on a wall as a piece of functional folk art. However it’s arranged, the authentic sound and historic character bring instant Victorian holiday charm to any space. Original 19th-century sleigh bell straps in this size and condition have become increasingly difficult to find, especially with such a full complement of bells still attached. Modern reproductions, while decorative, seldom replicate the deep, resonant sound of genuine antique brass or the rich patina only time and use can create. For lovers of Americana, equestrian history, Victorian Christmas...

South/Central American (Incan/Mayan) style double candleholder. Bottom is marked J.P. (or J.R.) Combes Aigues-Vives, Aude (town in southern France) 65 (1965) Piece Unique. Combes ma...

19th-century American folk art Heart-shaped forged iron pad lock and key, dated 1875 A remarkable 19th-century American heart-shaped forged iron padlock and key is a true testament ...

Hand-sewed rice straw art by Arko. Title: A head-sea over the night sky (Small model) This work has the feelings of contemporary, tribal art, contempora...

Hand-sewed rice straw art by Arko. Title: Composition Accelerando #01 This work has the feelings of contemporary, tribal art, contemporary craft art, ...