Absolute masterpiece! Superb Louis XVI style hand carved walnut architectural panel in perfect condition. Please don't buy this. It's hanging in my library and looks  More »

Absolute masterpiece! Superb Louis XVI style hand carved walnut architectural panel in perfect condition. Please don't buy this. It's hanging in my library and looks magnificent ;) This monster is nearly 44" long, 13.75" high and very deep; 4". The central cartouche a sublime confection of floral elements. The twining foliate decoration extending from the cartouche are strewn with floral bouquets. The panel is bordered in a frame like pattern. These are very rare; nearly impossible to find. These panels once graced furniture pieces and walls in chateaux.   « Less

A perfect and exquisite antique French carved panel, ready to hang . The decoration is carved in deep relief Renaissance style. A pair of putto', or angels', heads and wings  More »

A perfect and exquisite antique French carved panel, ready to hang . The decoration is carved in deep relief Renaissance style. A pair of putto', or angels', heads and wings towards the top draw the eye and serve as the centerpiece of this walnut panel. Fabulous floral and foliate motifs surround the putto in a symmetric serpentine pattern. Simply gorgeous! And very rare. The carving is framed and the back has an applied hook. This piece measures 30.25" in height, 12.75" width and the frame is 1 3/8" deep. The depth of the carving is variable, with 1" deep at certain points. there are no flaws to note.   « Less

This is a huge flying dragon, hand carved from France, 19th Century. The wing span is over 30"! And the piece has great depth; the dragon appears to emerge from the wall.  More »

This is a huge flying dragon, hand carved from France, 19th Century. The wing span is over 30"! And the piece has great depth; the dragon appears to emerge from the wall. Wonderful piece. Another strong resemblance to the dragons in the Decorative Arts Museum in Paris. You can find it on their website.   « Less

Large French architectural panels, of hand carved walnut, dating from the 1800's. A matching pair elegantly and superbly decorated with a deep relief scrolling foliate and  More »

Large French architectural panels, of hand carved walnut, dating from the 1800's. A matching pair elegantly and superbly decorated with a deep relief scrolling foliate and floral motif of Renaissance style. The pattern enhanced with a finely textured ground and framed with both arching and rectangular bands. The upper corners accented with floral cartouches. The work is of exceptional quality, highly refined, and in perfect condition. These panels are ready to hang, with fixtures to that end on the upper backs. The rich patina of the walnut the only hint at their age. Rare as can be. An instant touch of class to draw admiring attention wherever you place them!   « Less

This carving is on the unusual side. Rather than a square or rectangular panel, this piece is more crest like. It is comprised of a bough of holly on one side, pine on the  More »

This carving is on the unusual side. Rather than a square or rectangular panel, this piece is more crest like. It is comprised of a bough of holly on one side, pine on the other, with pine cones! A delightful piece, ready to hang, and very nice quality carving. I would say the styling is French Empire. The staining on the wood is quite black; although in the pictures it does not appear so. That is a function of the lighting. This is a beautiful sculpture!   « Less

FF.089 - FF.089 Dimensions: 6.8" (17.3cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide Medium: Wood

FF.089 - FF.089 Dimensions: 6.8" (17.3cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide Medium: Wood   « Less

Circa 1890-1910. Rare, rustic smoking stand in the Adirondack Style. Unusual for all it's detail, this stand is definitely a cut above the crowd, with a covered humidor for  More »

Circa 1890-1910. Rare, rustic smoking stand in the Adirondack Style. Unusual for all it's detail, this stand is definitely a cut above the crowd, with a covered humidor for cigars or cigarettes, an ashtray, a match holder and striking plate, all surrounding a figure of a moose The body of the stand is beautifully figured, turned wood, with three turned legs, all with the rich patina and glow that is only achieved over the passage of time. The statue of the moose is white metal that has been painted brown with a red mouth and darker brown eyes and hooves. The body of the moose looks as if it has had some touch up painting in the past. Over-all excellent condition and finish, a real prize for an Adirondack or rustic furniture collector. 38" tall x 11" diameter. Price 1200.00   « Less

This impressive mask is highly mysterious in terms of origin, and is a highly remarkable piece of construction. The mask itself is fairly small, with highly polished wood  More »

This impressive mask is highly mysterious in terms of origin, and is a highly remarkable piece of construction. The mask itself is fairly small, with highly polished wood highlighted with cervid teeth and ringed eyes. The most imposing part of the mask is the superstructure, which includes a monkey skull, beads, cowries, textile and fur. The inclusion of all this “fetish” material makes it apparent that the piece comes from the former Zaire, where many tribes (notably the Kongo and the Songye) attach magical materials to masks and sculptures to endow them with authority to solve problems and to supernaturally intervene in mortal affairs. The tradition is also seen in the Bete group of the Ivory Coast. This particular mask form is essentially unique; however, the materials attached thereto make it likely to be a Kongo piece.The Kongo (or Bakongo) people live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola and the Congo. They originally lived in a series of loosely-connected yet autonomous kingdoms, followed by considerable turmoil and the arrival of the European forces at the start of the 16th century. They had a reasonably peaceful relationship with the foreigners, so their material culture has survived largely intact. Indigenous Kongo society was based around the kingship model, not unlike that of the Nigerian Kingdom of Benin. Their religious beliefs have a far wider circulation, and are based around a reverence for the dead who are believed to be able to assist in the determination of future destinies. The most notable pieces of Kongo sculpture are the Nkisi Nkondi figures – often referred to as nail fetishes – which carry a packet of magical materials known as a bilongo; the figures are insulted and “hurt” with explosions and nails so that they will carry out the wishes of their tormentor. Various other categories also exist, such as the ntadi limestone grave markers and maternity figures with characteristic open-mouths, almond- shaped eyes and detailed surface work.Kongo Wooden Mask - PF.1494 (LSO)Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo Circa: 20 th Century ADCollection: African Style: Kongo Medium: Wood, Fur, Teeth   « Less

Lega Wooden Mask - DA.719Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo Circa: 20 th Century ADDimensions: 13" (33.0cm) high Collection: African Style: Lega Medium: Wood Condition:  More »

Lega Wooden Mask - DA.719Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo Circa: 20 th Century ADDimensions: 13" (33.0cm) high Collection: African Style: Lega Medium: Wood Condition: Extra Fine   « Less

Masterfully carved from a giant block of wood, this commemorative head was created as a dedication to the ancestors of the Oba, or divine king, of Benin. Benin is a kingdom  More »

Masterfully carved from a giant block of wood, this commemorative head was created as a dedication to the ancestors of the Oba, or divine king, of Benin. Benin is a kingdom in Africa founded in the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century. It flourished under the rule of the Oba and his hierarchical court until the end of the nineteenth century when British troops invaded the city. In 1914, the Benin king was reinstated, however, and many of the ritual, political and artistic activities of the court were also resumed. The unique Benin artistry of that period is revealed in this spirited Oba head, a characteristically idealized representation of the powerful rulers. Although it is an ideal image, the wood carver has nevertheless imbued the Oba with a subtle naturalism, through the Oba’s softly modeled face, full and sensual lips, broad nose and furrowed cheeks and brow. At the same time the Oba’s electrically charged eyes enhance his authoritative presence, while a large pointed headdress elevates his exalted visage upwards toward the heavens. This commemorative Oba head clearly speaks of a people whose art forms are filled with evocative power a people whose traditions find dramatic expressionthroughthehandsoftheirgifted.-(PF.2583)Benin Style Wooden Head of an Oba-PF.2583Origin: West Africa Circa: 20 th Century ADDimensions: 22" (55.9cm) high Collection: Decorative Arts Style: Benin Medium: Wood   « Less