Considered in the ancient East to be the luckiest of all gems, the ruby is said to confer upon its owner protection from all misfortune either manmade or natural. Like the  More »

Considered in the ancient East to be the luckiest of all gems, the ruby is said to confer upon its owner protection from all misfortune either manmade or natural. Like the sapphire, the ruby is a member of the corundum family, an aluminum oxide which owes its bright red color to the trace presence of chromium. The major sources for this mineral both in antiquity and today is the Orient, especially Burma, Thailand and India. On a carat for carat basis, the ruby is generally the most expensive of all precious stones. The most prized hue for the gem is called "pigeon's blood", a deep red touched with violet. A necklace of these stones is said to have been given by Alexander the Great to the Queen Mother of Persia. However, because of its Eastern origins, the ruby was little known to the classical cultures of the West. In the East, especially India, the ruby was much sought after. Sanskrit writings refer to it as the "king of gems". Its red color associated it medicinally with diseases of the blood, and it was especially valued to ward off pestilence, to staunch bleeding, as well as cure diseases of the stomach. In Eastern belief, it also promoted peace and prosperity for its owner, and granted him invulnerability from all evil.Origin: Siri Lanka Collection: Ruby Necklace Medium: Ruby/Diamonds/Gold   « Less

The Han era was one of the greatest artistic moments in Chinese history easily on par with the glories of Western contemporaries in Greece and Rome. Wealth poured into China  More »

The Han era was one of the greatest artistic moments in Chinese history easily on par with the glories of Western contemporaries in Greece and Rome. Wealth poured into China from trade along the Silk Road and initiated a period of unprecedented luxury. Stunning bronze vessels were created and decorated with elegant inlaid gold and silver motifs. Jade carvings reached a new level of technical brilliance. Yet the artistic revival of the Han Dynasty is nowhere better represented than by the sculptures and vessels that were interred with deceased nobles. Called Mingqi, literally meaning “spirit articles,” these works depicted a vast array of subjects from warriors and horses to ovens and livestock that were buried alongside the dead for use in the next life. Such actions reflect the Chinese belief that the afterlife is an extension of our earthy existence. Thus the material goods that we require to sustain and nurture our bodies in this life are just as necessary in the next life.This sculpture was commissioned by the family of the deceased to be buried alongside their departed relative. It served both as a symbol of their wealth and familial piety. Only elite members of the social hierarchy could afford to be honored with such elaborate burials. The tombs of nobles and high-ranking officials were filled with sculpted renditions of their earthly entourage. Musicians, chefs, attendants, and guardians were placed alongside pots, vessels, cooking utensils, and herds of livestock. Each one of these Mingqi were expected to perform their functions continually throughout the afterlife. The guards would watch over the soul of the deceased while the chef prepared meals utilizing the meats of the livestock and the musicians would perform songs to nourish the spirit throughout eternity.While mounted warriors were interred inside the tombs of military generals, this tall gently undulating attendant most likely accompanied a high-ranking member of the Han bureaucracy. Her hands are hidden within the full sleeves of her long robe which is tightly gathered around her legs before flaring widely to the sides. The various layered robes are visible at the neck and chest, molded in V-shaped necklines painted in red and white with a faint black border on the outermost robe. The facial features are delicately painted over white slip, the elongated eye area in black pigment and mouth in red while the nose is slightly molded in the middle and raised high above the ears.Han Dynasty tomb figures are noted for their naturalistic style and graceful slender portrayals of human figures. They are not created as works of art; they were made to answer the needs of a particular belief about life after death and the spiritual world. The sculptor strove to capture the life and vitality of the subject rather than create a meticulous portrait as their work was commissioned by the ruling classes to accompany the body and soul of the deceased into the realm of the spiritual world.The gently undulating posture raises the possibility that the standing figure represents a court dancer. It is a gorgeous symbol of the philosophical and religious beliefs of the Han, symbolizing their fundamental beliefs in the beauty of this life and the next.   « Less

Gorgeous boxed solid sterling silver dessert set, covered with gold: vermeil. The dessert spoon, fork and coffee spoon come in the original box. These pieces bear violin  More »

Gorgeous boxed solid sterling silver dessert set, covered with gold: vermeil. The dessert spoon, fork and coffee spoon come in the original box. These pieces bear violin shaped handles decorated with a charming foliate design. The pieces date from the early Napoleon III era, around 1850; each is marked with the Minerve 1st titre, .950 sterling guarantee; and the maker's punch for William Deniere, 1850. The knives are .800 silver with gold plate and mother of pearl handles. These are Restauration Era, 1819-1838. The knives have an inset shield without a monogram and come with a period box. The spoons and forks do have a monogram, which I am unable to make out. This is a fabulous set! So incredibly hard to find, and utterly beautiful! Condition is very good. There is some wear to the gold, and other usual signs of use; a tine bent slightly here and there. But a superb set! The spoons are 7" long, the forks 7.25" long, the coffee spoons 5.75" long, and the knives 7 7/8" long. The weight of the spoons is 906 grams, forks 894 grams, coffee spoons 474 grams and knives 610 grams. Combined weight is 2884 grams. With the boxes 4880 grams.   « Less

Mason''s ironstone soup plate in the ''scroll'' pattern, circa 1820. $330. We accept VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, and AMERICAN EXPRESS. We are happy to send items on  More »

Mason''s ironstone soup plate in the ''scroll'' pattern, circa 1820. $330. We accept VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, and AMERICAN EXPRESS. We are happy to send items on approval. ALL MERCHANDISE HAS A FULL MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.   « Less

polished cast brass..available in quantity..other finishes also available Status: For Sale Reference#:  More »

polished cast brass..available in quantity..other finishes also available Status: For Sale Reference#: fix3710 Condition: See Description Year: See Description   « Less

We have for sale an oak fireplace mantle (mantel). The mantle has some age to it. Believe it dates to the early 1900's although I do not know the exact age. I believe it has  More »

We have for sale an oak fireplace mantle (mantel). The mantle has some age to it. Believe it dates to the early 1900's although I do not know the exact age. I believe it has been refinished. The oak is a golden oak, has a pair of barley twist post on the mantle for support and has the arts and craft pattern in the back. The back is not straight, it bows in toward the wall. It is very attractive. It is trimmed out around the hearth opening very nicely. It has been used in it's life time. There had been labels on the back, but they are gone. I do not know who the maker is. There are no chips, cracks, nicks, or splitting. It is nice. It weighs 73 pounds and measures 72.5 x 59.375 x 8.375, the shelf top of the mantle 59.375 x 8.375, the shelf 21 x 44.375 x 6.875, and the opening 40.25 x 42 x 4.We do have more photographs that we can email if you are interested. And if you have any questions please contact us by email or telephone before you purchase the item. Please view our Terms of Sale and Shipping policy. We only ship to the continental U.S. We do have a retail store and there are times the item may be sold through our store. We try to remove items immediately or the next day at the latest. Mixup's are bound to occur and if this happens we apologize for the confusion. Status: For Sale Reference#: go_mant Condition: very good Year: unknown Height: 72.5 in. (184.15 cm) Depth: 8.375 in. (21.27 cm) Width: 59.375 in. (150.81 cm) Weight: 73 Title: Oak Fireplace Mantle With Mix Of Arts & Crafts- Modern   « Less

Origin:France Description:Wood carving Circa:1860 Height:7" Width:25"

Origin:France Description:Wood carving Circa:1860 Height:7" Width:25"   « Less

Origin: Egypt (Sinai) Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Egyptian Medium: Faience-Gold Additional Information: Necklace consisting of genuine Egyptian New Kingdom  More »

Origin: Egypt (Sinai) Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Egyptian Medium: Faience-Gold Additional Information: Necklace consisting of genuine Egyptian New Kingdom faience beads and an 18 karat gold ankh and an 18 karat gold clasp.Most ancient Egyptian beads were made of faience, a glass-composite glaze which was introduced as early as the Pre-Dynastic period. According to Egyptologists, most beads were made on an axis, probably of thread, which would burn up during firing, leaving a hole. Disc, ring and tubular beads were made by coating the axis with the unfired body-paste, rolling the cylinder to an even diameter on a flat surface, and then scoring it with a knife into sections of the desired length. Other shapes, such as ball beads, were rolled between the hands and perforated while still wet with a stiff point such as a wire needle. The beads were then dried, coating with glaze (if the glaze had not already been mixed with the paste), and fired. The firing process often gave the beads a beautiful translucent quality. The majority of faience beads are blue or green in color, but black, red yellow and white ones were also produced, especially in the New Egyptian Kingdom. - (FJ.1332)   « Less

MUFFY VANDERBEAR... in a very cute dress. see image 2 for close-up Condition: very good; Circa: 1980s; Heigth: appx 7'' high; Width:

MUFFY VANDERBEAR... in a very cute dress. see image 2 for close-up Condition: very good; Circa: 1980s; Heigth: appx 7'' high; Width:   « Less

This beautiful antique figural clock has an incredibly detailed depiction of two working men, and it does work and comes with the original key. It has a fairly new mechanism  More »

This beautiful antique figural clock has an incredibly detailed depiction of two working men, and it does work and comes with the original key. It has a fairly new mechanism and we believe it is a 30 hour clock. Printed on the back cover is "Self Starting Motor Pat. Pending Made in U.S.A. Miner and Blacksmith." It has a bronze-like finish with a gold clock face. It is in really good condition and would look great on a mantle or table top. The clock measures 20" in height, 11 3/4" from side to side, 4" from front to back, and weighs 9 pounds. We are not sure of the exact age. Status: For Sale Reference#: fcwm Condition: Good Year: unknown Title: ANTIQUE FIGURAL 30-HOUR CLOCK, WORKS, GREAT DETAILS   « Less