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Antiques & Uncommon Treasure
Best of the BEST! 17th to 19th c. French sterling silver, Georgian jewelry, sewing etc
$1,271 USD SaleSALE Large Antique Victorian Era 30" Gothic Style Relic or Reliquary Vitrine, Carved Wood & Wavy Glass
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
Fabulous & rare antique Napoleon III or Victorian era Gothic niche style 30" relic or reliquary vitrine, immense size with ornate carved wood and three large glass panels! Front and sides all have large glass windows to display whatever would be showcased inside, the back of the vitrine opens for placement. Lovely Gothic style, carved spires at the top and rosette style ornamentation topping the arched corner columns. A remarkable old display piece, guaranteed to add style & reverence to ...
$1,186 USD SaleSALE Superb Antique French 13" Gilt Bronze Reliquary Vitrine, Gothic Style
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
Absolutely gorgeous & rare antique French 1850-1880s Napoleon III era gilt bronze 13" reliquary, 'Chasse' or monstrance, a large vitrine with ornate Gothic styling, lion's paw feet and wonderful condition! Each of the four sides has a large glass window, the roof of the piece lifts out for placement of a relic or statue inside. A chasse or box reliquary is a shape commonly used in medieval metalwork for reliquaries and other containers. To the modern eye the form resembles a house, though a tomb ...
$421 USD SaleSALE Stunning Antique French Hand Carved Wood Sculpture, Virgin Mary in Frame
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
A truly stunning carving, rising to the ranks of the French fine art sculptors whose work in ivory is coveted worldwide, this devotional plaque is entirely hand carved in wood. From the 19th century, or perhaps late 18th century, it survives today in very good to excellent form. A testimonial to the artist's devotion, perhaps, or at the very least, to his or her immense skill. No signature is evident on either side. The upward gaze and furrowed brow suggests this is the Mary of the Pieta - the ...
$931 USD SaleSALE Superb Antique Dieppe, French c.1770-1830 Hand Carved Ivory Christ, Ebony-stained Crucifix
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
The anatomical rendering of this little masterpiece, entirely hand carved, is a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship and artistry of the Master carver of this Christ figure. Usually we don't see this level of detail and superb form in the figures under 8" and yet this one is a smaller 6" figure of exquisite form and passion. The taught musculature on the graceful form, and the slacking of the shoulders and tilt of head tell us this Christ rendering shows him at the point of pleading with ...
$166 USD SaleSALE Antique Napoleon III Hair Art Mourning Memento, Ebony Frame
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
While these elaborately arranged mementos represent a loss, they are so beautifully done, it's hard for us in our time to see them as anything but an art form, and yet each one represents the life and loss of a loved one. Yes, these are mourning pieces, and the beautiful ornament installed within the domed 'bombe' cover glass is made entirely of human hair; ostensibly from the loved one. Imagine a time when an entire industry existed in the boutiques and shops of Paris (and etc.) whose wares ...
$251 USD SaleSALE Antique French Hair Art Memorial in Original Leather Etui, Case
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
Mourning in the 18th and 19th centuries often involved jewelry or icons kept with artistically arranged hair from the deceased. This practice was raised to an art level by the French, and a cottage industry existed throughout Paris and France in general with workers trained and skilled in creating the most intricate and delicate, beautiful floral arrangements or even figural 'paintings' of clipped or pulverised human hair. Some might think it macabre, or that it is a practice left to the ages, ...
$336 USD SaleSALE Antique Black Forest Frame, Carved Ivory Dieppe Christ, Crucifix
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
A remarkably fine anatomical carving with lots of detail to the face and form, much as we're used to in much much larger hand carved 'Dieppe' figures of Christ, but this one is only 3" tall. It's a wonderful example of both carving and sculpture, rising to fine art. Our photos show it well, and in fine detail. There are a few minor flaws, noting they're consistent with a carving from mid-1800s, which this one would be. A fine collector's item, or devotional. Very good condition for age and type. ...
$251 USD SaleSALE Antique French Crucifix, Holy Water Font, Oak & Metal - Victorian Era
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
A spectacular devotional crucifix, this Victorian era oak cross is mounted with a gilted wood and red silk velvet fabric cross onto which a fine old gilted metal Christ has been mounted. The end caps for the cross are ornate cast metal, and match the metal water bowl or font at the base of the cross. The beautifully beveled and designed backing of fine natural dark French oak is a remarkably beautiful foil to the cross mounted upon it, and in whole, the piece is just stunning! Very good to ...
$251 USD SaleSALE Antique French Patch Box, Natural Ivory, and with Portrait Miniature of Mary
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
Though she has a bit of a a Botticeli look to her, I think this is a painting of the Virgin Mary, complete with halo and the typical celeste blue gown iconographically assigned to her likeness. I have called this box a patch box, since it's the size of one, but I believe it would have originally contained a rosary, or prayer beads, crucifix. It's a beautiful little box, and with a couple of tiny fine hairlines that result when the natural material contracts with age/drying, and are quite usual ...
$336 USD SaleSALE Antique19th Century French Chalk-Molded Sculpture of Christ in Napoleon III Frame
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
From the Napoleon III era, c. 1850-70, give or take 10 years, this ebonized 8.5" square and 1" deep wooden frame comes to us complete with the original and 'new process' sculpture of Christ. The artist's sculpture in wax is signed 'Mattei', and a mold made from that original sculpture has been cast with an early mixture of chalk, plaster and a binder, to form a stunning casting not unlike a bronze, but of hard-formed plaster/chalk. Still mounted in the original frame, this would have been a ...
$209 USD SaleSALE Antique French Chalkware Devotional in Ebonized Frame, Jesus and John Baptist as Babes
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
Is it St. Christopher who walks with and protects the baby Jesus and John the Baptist in this depiction? You know, I'm not Catholic, and not well studied on all the saints, so forgive me if I've misidentified this one. I should be ashamed if I have, since it's an oft-repeated scene. But in any case, it's done beautifully here in the old French chalkware, in bas relief sculpture under a deep dome of fine old French glass which is original to the piece and to the frame. A wonderful collection ...
$1,866 USD SaleSALE Antique 1700s French Crucifix, Hand Carved Ivory Christ, Christus - Dieppe Alter Cross
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
This passionate carving of Christ, in the agony of Crucifixion, is an amazing work of the carver's artistry and skill. Hand carved, this 1700s (perhaps even earlier) figure conveys both the passion and excellent anatomical representation of the moment depicted. The taught muscles reveal the bones, sinew and even some veins beneath. The Figure is nailed to the upright cross, supported by an elegantly carved wooden base, notable on its own for its beauty. The figure is well-mounted, all of the ...
$421 USD SaleSALE Antique Angel, Crucifix in Carved Ivory, Dieppe - French - Putti, Excellent condition!
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
These fine old carved ivory crucifixes originated in France, and are rarer to find as time goes forward, particularly unscathed by time as this one surely is, and carved in solid ivory, as well (some are hollow-formed, and still more have been produced later in celluloid rather than natural ivory, which this one is). I have bought them in France over the years, but this one comes to me from right here at home. The beautifully carved putti, or angel with wings is representative of Christ. The ...
$846 USD SaleSALE Antique Georgian Large Navette Box, Mourning Painting in Sepia, Hair, Miniature - c. 1787- 1833
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
"William Norris, 1787, father of Anne Norris ans Harriet Hughes, Aged 23 1833, Drawn Self". This is the scripted notation on the backing to the sepia painted thin natural wafer that is so beautifully done and protected there in the lid of this rather large patch box navette etui. I can take from it several suggested meanings. First, that it memorializes the father of the 2 girls, who might have been born in 1787 since he could not have fathered someone who was, at age 23, drawing it in 1833. Or ...
$761 USD SaleSALE Exquisite Antique Georgian Hair Art Mourning Scene, Frame #1
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
This is one of the finest antique French hair art mourning icons we've ever seen, hands down! Georgian era (that's also Napoleonic era: roughly 1780-1830). While it's true there is a bit of disturbance on the veneer that caps the front panel of this wooden frame, it's of little distraction when you consider the masterpiece of mourning artistry it holds within. This is one of 2 matching Georgian era hair artistry mourning plaques we recently acquired from England, and they are both the finest we ...
$1,611 USD SaleSALE Exquisite Antique French Hand Carved Ivory Christ Figure, 22" Carved Wood Altar Frame
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
It's become more and more difficult to find/source these brilliantly carved old French crucifixes, and particularly these larger ones. This is a stunning example of why they are so sought after, as you can see in the magnificently carved anatomical sketch of a suffering Christ on the cross. Normally finding one that is more than 4-5 or so inches head to toe is nearly impossible, so you'll know that for us to find one that is 6 1/2" from crown of thorns to his toes and in such beautifully ...
$761 USD SaleSALE Fab Antique French 22" Altar Frame, Carved Ivory Christ Figure
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
Fabulous antique French Napoleon III era 22.5" gilt gesso on wood altar or niche style frame with ornate Gothic accents, red velvet mat with gilded crucifix and superb hand carved genuine ivory crucified Christ figure! Our acquiring really great old ivory and faux faux faux shell pieces came to a near complete halt earlier this year so that we could do every single thing necessary to comply with the ever changing and always ambiguous import laws. We're now bringing all of our ivory in with CITES ...
$336 USD SaleSALE Fine Antique Victorian Carved Bone Jansenite Christ Figure, Burled Plaque
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
Very fine & rare 19th century Victorian era carved bone crucified Christ figure, displayed on a wonderful burled wood plaque with mother of pearl roundel accents! A very unique and interesting piece, the figure itself is caved from solid bone and relatively crudely done. I believe this one is Jansenite in origin. Jansenism may be explained symbolically by the style of crucifix it favored. On a regular cross, Christ is represented with His arms outstretched to embrace all, if possible, within the ...
$1,951 USD SaleSALE Fine Antique 1700s French Crucifix, Hand Carved Ivory Christ, Christus - Dieppe
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
This exquisite 18th century ivory carving of Christ, in the 'release' stage of Crucifixion, when Christ is just about to give up his mortal life, is an amazing work of the carver's artistry and skill. Hand carved, this 1700s (perhaps even earlier) figure conveys both the passion and excellent anatomical representation of the moment depicted. The delineated muscles reveal the bones, sinew and even some veins beneath. The Figure is nailed to the somewhat smallish scaled upright cross, supported ...
$421 USD SaleSALE Gorgeous Antique French Altar Style 14" Crucifix, Gilt Bronze & Marquetry Inlay
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
Isn't this one of the more visually attractive religious pieces that you've seen in a while? Oh, I know, it doesn't quite compare to the works of art you'll find in European museums but what a lovely piece! Nice size, the entire piece is 13 3/4" tall and 8" wide with a thick, heavy gilt bronze frame and a sunburst pattern in the inlaid wood mat. The crucifix itself also have marquetry inlay around the edges and displays a bronze patinated white metal Christ figure and "INRI" plaque. Pristine ...
$761 USD SaleSALE HUGE Antique Frame, Shadow Box French Hair Art Memento
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
I brought some really magnificent hair art memento or mourning pieces back from France recently. Here's the BIG one of the bunch - a family heirloom of hair woven into a large wreath and preserved perfectly within a very large ebonized shadow-box framed reliquary or display case. The piece is of superior artistry, dates to mid-1800s and retains the hair arts stamp on back noting it was framed in Toulouse, France, by a company called CHAPPE, at 39, rue des Arts. Interesting label, nice touch. The ...
$192 USD SaleSALE Huge Antique French Ormolu & Alabaster Holu Font, Crucifix
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
Rare large 19th century French Napoleon III gilt ormolu & white alabaster benitier or Holy water font, an impressive 11 3/8" plaque with gilded Christ figure & unique 'objects of the passion'! This is the first one of these that have included the objects surround the crucified Christ: tongs or pliers, a spear, a rod with sponge, a ladder and a hammer. These signified the passion of Christ (though I'm sure there is quite a bit more meaning behind them). Fabulous size and a truly beautiful ...
$421 USD SaleSALE Large Antique French Hair Art Mourning Memento, Cross
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
Were it not for the cross worked into the artwork here, I'd say it's not a mourning memento so much as a family wreath, which were sometimes done with hair from all living family members, or even of a group of dear friends. This form is amazingly intricate, with hair worked into flowers with pearls or gems in the centers, and arranged into a crescent wreath. The addition of the cross, though, makes it have either mourning or perhaps convent significance. It is a fact that we've had preserved ...
SOLDSOLD Antique French Napoleonic Hair Art Mourning Scene, Frame #2
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
This is one of the finest antique French hair art mourning icons we've ever seen, hands down! Georgian era (that's also Napoleonic era: roughly 1780-1830). While it's true there is a bit of disturbance on the veneer that caps the front panel of this wooden frame, it's of little distraction when you consider the masterpiece of mourning artistry it holds within. This is one of 2 matching Georgian era hair artistry mourning plaques we recently acquired from England, and they are both the finest we ...
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
A beautiful French Napoleon III era benitier or holy water font, this one in green onyx against solid thick brass or bronze, with an ornate bronze frame & font and hand painted portrait of the "Madonna" on convex Porcelain. Dating from 1870-1900, ranging from the late Napoleon III to Belle Epoque eras. This one with a large green onyx plaque, mounted in the center is an ornate machined gilt bronze or ormolu framework including a hinged Holy water font at the base. A lovely illuminated portrait ...
SOLDSOLD Antique French 17th Century Hand Carved Wood Christ, Crucifix, Gilt Finish Alter Cross
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
Magnificent and early hand carved wooden Christ, Crucifix, dating 1600s, the alter cross is gilted in gold leaf or 'pounded gold' with the typical underlayment of a rust-colored 'rouge' typical of the process. This would have been an alter cross in the 17th century, either in a church or a home or chateau's small chapel. It survives today in remarkably fine form for one so early. Beautifully detailed, it shows its age well. We've seen lesser 17th century Crucifix in the collection on display in ...
Sale PendingSALE PENDING Antique Napoleon III Era French Hair Art in Wood Frame
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
While these elaborately arranged mementos represent a loss, they are so beautifully done, it's hard for us in our time to see them as anything but an art form, and yet each one represents the life and loss of a loved one. Yes, these are mourning pieces, and the beautiful ornament installed within the domed 'bombe' cover glass is made entirely of human hair; ostensibly from the loved one. Imagine a time when an entire industry existed in the boutiques and shops of Paris (and etc.) whose wares ...
SOLDSOLD Antique French Mouring Icon, Hair Art in Frame, Napoleon III
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
Always fascinating, these 19th century mourning devotionals made from human hair are, to some, macabre; to others, poignant and even heartbreakingly lovely. They are memorials of the dearest lost loved ones, and can also be the loving souvenir of a love, like a token given to a bride or groom at the time of an engagement, carried in jewellery, close to the heart as a brooch, or tucked into the backside of a hand painted portrait miniature in gold frame - tokens of love and devotion. In France, ...
SOLDSOLD Elaborate 1852 Antique French Hair Art Mourning Icon, Child
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
While these elaborately arranged mementos represent a loss, they are so beautifully done, it's hard for us in our time to see them as anything but an art form, and yet each one represents the life and loss of a loved one. Yes, these are mourning pieces, and the beautiful ornament installed within the domed 'bombe' cover glass is made entirely of human hair; ostensibly from the loved one. Imagine a time when an entire industry existed in the boutiques and shops of Paris (and etc.) whose wares ...
SOLDSOLD Antique French Hair Art Mourning Icon in Frame, Tomb and Weeping Willow
Antiques:Religious And Mourning
"Jean - M - Picquet" is the name on the tomb in this early 1800s French hair art memento - yes the scene with tomb and willow trees, sheaves of wheat - entirely made of human hair. And on the back we read "Cheveux de Jeanne Marie Piquet (sic) - - melesse", or "hair of Jeanne Marie Piquet" and I can't make out the final word or two, sorry. Perhaps the blond locks of a child, which is most often the case in French ones with blond hair, sadly. These old items were memorials made of the hair of the ...
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Member since Sep 2002
Susan Dean
We have offices in Utah and California. 979 Woodland Pkwy, Ste 168
San Marcos, CA92069
Email only, please: susandean-aut@cox.net
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We have offices in Utah and California. 979 Woodland Pkwy, Ste 168
San Marcos, CA
Email only, please: susandean-aut@cox.net
View Location