The tradition of dressed and bejewelled devotional sculptures dates back to Antiquity, survives during the Middle Ages and increases between 16th and 18th century, both in Italy and throughout Catholic Europe. Between Renaissance and Baroque, the evidences are extensive and articulated, although the results aren’t always aesthetically and artistically convincing. However, there are carved figures …
The charm of this millefleurs tapestry, woven in wool and silk, is enhanced by a medallion placed just in the middle of a dense field of small bouquets, laying over a warm tones background. The medallion is made of a floral wreath with fruits, ribbons and masks, encircling a mountain landscape with woods, a castle, a small …
A vase, resting in the centre of a rectangular plate, houses a thick tuft of leaves, above which stands another little vase with a rich bouquet of tiny roses. Leaning back against the vase sides, there are two symmetrical mermaids with scaled and curled tails with a trilobed finial, sitting with arms folded over their …
This two remarkable medallions feature a frame with a rich weave of silver filigree scrolls forming two wreaths: on the outer ring there are rosettes consisting of a full silver bead and a series of flattened petals, while the inner crown is characterized by a series of coloured gems, enclosed by bezels, mimicking an alternation …
This rare and precious little wooden box is a perfect embodiment of the medieval casket. The piece features a rectangular base with a moulded plinth, a parallelepiped body and a tapered lid with sloping edges and concave sides, slightly sticking out from the body upon which it rests. The lid refers to a type of …
The crouching lion looks upwards and to our left, and makes the canines protrude from its half-open mouth. The powerful but docile muzzle is carved in marble with great tenderness, almost as if it were wax, as one can appreciate in the abundant and yielding skin of the mouth corners. What is most surprising is …
This intriguing ironwork belongs to the so-called à moraillon kind of locks, designed for closing chests and coffers, and quite common in the Gothic and Late Gothic periods, especially in the French and Spanish areas. The present one shows a typical quadrangular shape and a warm brown patina; moreover, it has a rather unusual and rare decorative …
This small and precious rectangular brass casket -completely gilded both outside and inside- shows a stepped base, a domed lid and a front enriched by two reverse-painted oval rock crystals, set into bezels: the left one depicts the Annunciation and the right one depicts the Nativity. The entire outer surface of the casket is finely engraved with interwoven …
This exquisite sculpture is a vivid baroque interpretation of the Christus triumphans: still alive, with open eyes and raised head, recommending his spirit to God the Father. The refined ivory artifact offers the viewer remarkable anatomy and quality, both on the front and on the back. As usual, the arms are carved separately and then joined …
This wonderful shaffron (from the French chamfrain) – the part of a horse’s armour protecting its head – perfectly documents the Turkish 16th century armour, made up of several metal plates connected one another by iron mails; a light and flexible defence derived from that used by the Islamic heavy cavalry. The piece here presented consists …