Poesy rings were popular in England and France during the 16th through the 17th centuries as lover's gifts. The quotations were often from courtship stories and are usually inscribed on the inner surface of the ring as is the case in this one. This ring amusingly reads "A virtuous Wife Preferreth Life". We imagine that in the 17th century, a woman was indeed better off being virtuous! We think this could make a more unusual and unique wedding band than a gold band...

Attractive Late Gothic style, German christian brass censor, Northern Germany, c. mid 17th. century.

An incense burner that would have been hanging in a church. The Vessel is decorated with three female busts in the Gothic style from which each of the three long chains are suspended. A the top a circular plate with a cutout brass finial.

Size: c. 52 cm. as a hanging censor, incl. chains and c. 17 cm...

A Kangxi period very large baluster- shaped jar and cover, decorated in blue and white with the body showing 36 panels each enclosing a composition of butterflies amongst leafy peony sprays. The borders also reflect a floral image whilst the cover repeats the themes of the panels. This impressive example is of monumental size 57cm (22 and 1/2 inches) high and boasts a vibrant and even blue colour and meticulous painting ...

A Westerwald Stoneware Tankard. The body with incised and impressed decoration. The neck with applied masks. Westerwald C1600/20. Height; 7" (17.5 cm). Condition;  chip to upper upper rim, minor small chips to rim. Slightly distorted in the firing. A similar example is in 'The American Pilgrim Museum' Leiden. Fragments of this type have been excavated in Plymouth Massachusetts at the site of the colony founded by the Mayflower Pilgrims in 1620. Also at the slightly ea...

A large, Museum Quality tomb pottery figure of a female attendant. Se carries a dish in front of her chest.

The figure dates to Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644 AD.

The figure is placed on a large Lotus throne on top of high hexagonal plint, both are in fine deep cobolt blue and turquiose coloured glaze, as is the robe.

Her hair is styled very artfully and her head has finely hand painted facial details...

A finely carved and exceptional early wooden Mangle board, Friesland (coastal regions of the Netherlands and northwestern Germany), c. mid-late 17th. century.

An early mangle board, carved in an exceptional openwork and geomethric style with micro carving of tiny details. Beautiful portal shaped top.

Size: c. 62 cm. long and c. 11 cm. wide.

Condition: Good Very fine. Lovely fresh wood for the period and undamaged.

Ex...

Antique 17th century German Nürnberg - Nuremberg pewter relief plate KAISERTELLER circa 1630 of Ferdinand II (9 July 1578 – 15 February 1637)...

This is a rare and authentic 17th-century antique Russian bronze icon with a center panel finial from the triptych Deesis. It depicts The Savior enthroned, surrounded by the Mourning Virgins and St. John the Baptist in the upper tier. The lower part of the Icon has half-figures of St...

A finely carved and exceptional early wooden Mangle board, Friesland (coastal regions of the Netherlands and northwestern Germany), dated 1674.

Mangle boards are rarely seen dated earlier than 1700s and this is a significant piece, carved in a wonderful geomethric style with micro carving of tiny details. Dated at the top and initialized further down.

Size: c. 70 cm. long and c. 14 cm...

This particular piece is a very unique, stone prayer tablet. It is difficult to date but stylistically could be as early as the Five Dynasties period (907-960 AD). These tablets were often found in conjunction with the ceramic offering vessels from Yunnan. The tablets would accompany the offering vessels and would sometimes comprise an enclosure for the offering vessels. (See trocadero item number 797164 for an example of the offering vessel). This particular piece is quite large - roughly 16 in...

A rare early dated pewter flagon with a finely worked spout, lid and thumbrest, Germany, ca. mid-later 17th. century.

A very attractive flagon in extrafine condition for the material and high age. The vessel is engraved on the front with '1694' in a laurel wreath.

Size: 27 cm. tall.

Condition: Good Very Fine for the type and intact with very nice surfaces.

Provenance: Private Collection of Bjørn De Roepstorff, an important Danish castle / mansion co...

A Spanish Brass Candlestick, circa 1700. Dimensions; 8.0" high x 5" square base. Weight, approximately 2 pounds. Very fine condition. Note, although not a pair, it may be used in conjunction with item 1849.

A Spanish Brass Candlestick, circa 1700. Dimensions; 8.5" high x 5" square base. Weight, approximately 1 pound 14 ounces. Very fine condition. Note, although not a pair, it may be used in conjunction with item 1848.

Unusual tile of a seated man in a flat cap holding a fishing pole while his wife in a bonnet cap seated beside him looks at him. A charming scene. The tile has tapered sides.5 ¼ inches (13.5 cm) square. ½ inches (1.5 cm thick).

Condition; major old restoration to the upper left corner, similar restoration along the right edge in the column and other very minor chips.

I think this is a fairly rare format with the columns and arch. The figures have a certain humor and art.

An XXL Ming Dynasty pottery figure of a male attendant!

A superb quality and very large pottery figure, dating to the Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644 AD.

He is placed on a rectangular podium and wears a fine robe in matching blue and turquoise glazes.

The unglazed areas have pigmented colors in red, black and white. Finely painted facial details.

The head is attachable as often seen on the largest figures from this period.

He holds a book in fr...

A very early bronze signal (table) cannon, dating to the 17th. century.

The cannon very beautiful and possible once burried. With splendid old chesnut or mahogany patina with a dusting of green to the back. Fully functionable cannon made with a bore hole of 16-17 mm.

Size: 13,8 cm. long and weighing 880 grams.

Ex. Danish Private Collection

This is a bronze miniature figure of Sri-Lakshmi, a Hindu goddess from 16th-18th century India. The figure stands in a sensual tribhanga pose on a round base over a square plinth. Her right arm is extended, and her left arm is raised with a lotus blossom.

She wears a long dhoti with incised foliate patterns and an elaborate pendant belt.

She is also adorned with jewelry and a breast band, and her hair is piled into a high chignon.

MEASUREMENTS: Height: 4.5 cm (1 3/4 in).

CO...

A rare extremely large brass or bell metal mortar with Dolphin handles, after Dutch model, Dutch or Northern European, c. 1660-1670.

An elegant mortar with concenthric lines and a gothic design with the wide mouth and two dolphin handles applied at the waist. The mortar comes with the original pestle. Such a large size and fine execution mortar for the period, would have been made for a pharmacy.

Size: c. 21 cm. tall and 20,5 cm. wide, weighing perhaps 20+ kilograms, incl...