Centuries ago, mankind learned to shape and mold glass into works of delicate beauty. Transparent or opaque, simple or ornate, richly colored or somber in hue, glass was  More »

Centuries ago, mankind learned to shape and mold glass into works of delicate beauty. Transparent or opaque, simple or ornate, richly colored or somber in hue, glass was prized as an ornament by queen and commoner alike. The Romans especially enjoyed wearing glass jewelry of elegant shape and in colors that imitated rare and precious gems like lapis, turquoise, agate or onyx. As is still common today in the Mediterranean, children wore jewelry that echoed the fashions of adults. Imagine this pretty bracelet upon the slender wrist of a child in the classical age. We can hear the child's laugh, echoed by the jangle of her bracelets. From such a clue as this we can imagine a vanished life, an entire world. - (GF.0197)   « Less

Centuries ago, mankind learned to shape and mold glass into works of delicate beauty. Transparent or opaque, simple or ornate, richly colored or somber in hue, glass was  More »

Centuries ago, mankind learned to shape and mold glass into works of delicate beauty. Transparent or opaque, simple or ornate, richly colored or somber in hue, glass was prized as an ornament by queen and commoner alike. The Romans especially enjoyed wearing glass jewelry of elegant shape and in colors that imitated rare and precious gems like lapis, turquoise, agate or onyx. As is still common today in the Mediterranean, children wore jewelry that echoed the fashions of adults. Imagine this pretty bracelet upon the slender wrist of a child in the classical age. We can hear the child's laugh, echoed by the jangle of her bracelets. From such a clue as this we can imagine a vanished life, an entire world. - (GF.0199)   « Less

Vigee LeBrun portrait of MARIE ANTOINETTE AND HER CHILDREN, a rare and early portrait of the Queen of France, Wife of LOUIS XVI. The paining is housed in an early wooden  More »

Vigee LeBrun portrait of MARIE ANTOINETTE AND HER CHILDREN, a rare and early portrait of the Queen of France, Wife of LOUIS XVI. The paining is housed in an early wooden frame. 6 Inches Exceptional artistry,signed   « Less

At the height of the Roman Empire, this magnificent vessel perhaps held rare oils or precious attars, some substance worthy of the container. Though the Romans perfected its  More »

At the height of the Roman Empire, this magnificent vessel perhaps held rare oils or precious attars, some substance worthy of the container. Though the Romans perfected its manufacture, glass was still considered a luxury item until modern times. A large piece like this was treated as a work of art. Its present beauty, elusive as a dream, derives from the blending of elegant shape, delicate color, and rarity. While many great empires have come and gone since it was new, this superb vessel has survived the ages intact. Its graceful charm transcends time: we share our pleasure with people who lived centuries ago. - (GF.0202)   « Less

Glazed Bowl with Geometric Decoration - AMD.168, Origin: Central Asia, Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high x 7.6" (19.3cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Glazed Earthenware.

Glazed Bowl with Geometric Decoration - AMD.168, Origin: Central Asia, Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high x 7.6" (19.3cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Glazed Earthenware.   « Less

Foo Lions, or Foo Dogs with an interesting rich sancai tin majolica drip glaze. Male and female figurines, an unusual pair with great color and unusual details. The pair most  More »

Foo Lions, or Foo Dogs with an interesting rich sancai tin majolica drip glaze. Male and female figurines, an unusual pair with great color and unusual details. The pair most likely dates to the 1940's. Unmarked. Dimensions: Condition: no damage   « Less

The narrow hole in the neck of this glass bottle identifies it as a sprinkler. Such vessels, perhaps filled with scented water, were shaken to perfume the air in homes or in  More »

The narrow hole in the neck of this glass bottle identifies it as a sprinkler. Such vessels, perhaps filled with scented water, were shaken to perfume the air in homes or in shrines during religious festivals. Its elegant simplicity of line is as pleasing to the modern eye as it no doubt was to the classical culture that created it. As we hold it in our hands today, we are aware of the touch of other hands long ago. What dreams and passions moved the person who last held it in antiquity? We shake the vessel gently, but it is filled only with the melancholy perfume of a vanished world. - (GF.0212)   « Less

Bamiyan 'Sgrafiatto' Dish - AMD.136, Origin: Central Asian, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 4.3" (10.9cm) high x 7.9" (20.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style:  More »

Bamiyan 'Sgrafiatto' Dish - AMD.136, Origin: Central Asian, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 4.3" (10.9cm) high x 7.9" (20.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Bamiyan, Medium: Buff Earthenware. This earthenware piece shows unusual striking form and characteristic color on white slip, very much in line with the Bamiyan style. The decoration incised into the bowl id of a flower that looks almost as if it is blowing in the breeze. These green sgrafiatto glazed and decorated earthenwares form a distinct group of pottery, unified by their fabric, shapes techniques of making and decorating and their motifs. During the manufacturing process this unusually shaped bowl was fired and glazed upside down on a tripod, possibly stacked with other wares, which left distinctive and distinguishing scars on the inside of the bowl.   « Less

Glass has been prized by mankind for centuries. The qualities that delighted the ancients, the clarity, transparency, brilliance and malleability of glass, are the same ones  More »

Glass has been prized by mankind for centuries. The qualities that delighted the ancients, the clarity, transparency, brilliance and malleability of glass, are the same ones that appeal to modern sensibilities. Early writers described glass in terms of wonderment: "Congealed of air, condensed of sunbeams, molded from the light of the open plain, or peeled from a white pearl." The passage of centuries serves to make glass even lovelier than when it was new, for time graces its surface with a jewel-like iridescence. We today cannot help but marvel that something so delicately lovely has survived since Rome was at her height. In our pleasure at its beauty, we transcend the ages, and share our emotions with the citizens of a vanished world. - (GF.0217)   « Less

Italian majolica figural mask, or wall sculpture with barbotine (raised relief) details. Truly stunning masterpiece,a version of Harvest, of Auttuno in the masculine form.  More »

Italian majolica figural mask, or wall sculpture with barbotine (raised relief) details. Truly stunning masterpiece,a version of Harvest, of Auttuno in the masculine form. This is exceptional majolica, or faience sculpture,dating probably to 1950. The figural barbotine hung in an Orange County restaurant for years, years along with his mate,the feminine Primavera, or Spring, shown ladden with Grapes Trocadero #563107 (see her photo here and separate listing.) Dimensions: Approximately 12.25" in all directions. Condition: Excellent. Very good overall condition. Small restoration on female sculpural mask. See photos please. ***PLEASE VIEW MY LISTINGS FOR FOUR SEASONS ITALIAN PLATES   « Less