This unusual stalactite hard stone carving has a deeply recessed carved figure, probably carved in the 20th Century. Stalactites are stone 'icicles' generally made of calcium carbonate but may contain greater than 65 minerals. They form on the roofs of caverns over long periods of time.[1, 2] During the second cycle of cave or cavern formation, when the water table is below the cave, rainwater passing through soils and rocks dissolve soluble compounds and drip through these caves. The wa ...click for details
The Art and Orchid Gallery's wan, or bowl, is a translucent porcelain piece of Decorative Art very finely hand painted in thick smooth enamels loved by the Europeans of the early 20th Century and which they still called Famille Rose (yang cai, or foreign colors by the Chinese).[92A, 16B] These enamels are very dark and bright compared to the soft faint rose enamels invented by A. Cassius and used close to 200 years before, and during, the Yongzheng Dynasty. However, the style of designs wit ...click for details
The Art and Orchid Gallery's 'commesso', the Italian word used to describe mosaics made of hard stone like marble, is a translucent light yellowish-green stone dish inlaid with four stone types [97A, 97B]; blue, pink, brown and violet polished stone slices in the shape of leaves and flowers. They are depicted on a simple black enameled stem. the commesso is probably Italian and made of types of marble. The tradition goes back to Roman Times; then, was revived in mid-16th Century Ital ...click for details
This French hand gilded trellis-work surrounding enameled purple-pink flower heads shows as a jeweled bibelot. LeTallec decorating studios started in France in 1930.[37A] Up to today, it decorates a very small number of boxes, entirely by hand enameling, generally as private stock for high end retailers (Bonwitt Teller, Tiffany & Co., etc.).[37B] Their hand painting is consistently exquisite.[37C] The bottom of the box has the Le Tallec mark (#3) started in 1941 and artist initials 'S.F. ...click for details
This footed French serving tray is heavily decorated with gold fading into apple green down to white ground. Centered on the tray under the gilded Rococo handle is a typical 18th Century bucolic landscape decoration. It has minute figures of women at a picnic in the foreground and a distant mountain chateau with dark clouds and craggy rock textures. The painting, over glazed enamel, is signed by Muville. He is known to have painted for some Limoges ceramic manufacturers like Lazeyras, Rosenfeld ...click for details
This remarkable signed and dated Russian hand painted hinged lacquer box is numbered: 15192. The artist used a dozen opaque colors blended in situ (on the box) and over paint metallic gold to portray an action filled fairy tale.[19A] Painted in 1971, the artist used strikingly realistic facial and figural designs with single brush bristle gold highlights. Outside the box is free hand cartouche in gold and silver, all on jet black exterior and red interior. It is in very good condition for 40+ y ...click for details
This 20th Century silk embroidery was hand made in China by craftsmen whose history of this art goes back at least to the Tang Dynasty.[111 I, 73J] A bright color polychromatic embroidery of a small bird on a blooming Prunus branch is framed by raised panels of brocades. Close inspection (see photos) reveals delicate shading inside the flowers. This wall art is framed under glass and wired for hanging. References available upon request.
Embroidery size: ~ 12 1/2" H x 5 1/2"; Framed ...click for details
