Rare Monumental Polychrome Relief Kachelofen Tile, Renaissance Court & Hunt

An exceptional and visually arresting set of twelve early playing cards, dating to the late 16th century and originating from Austria. Executed in traditional woodblock print and delicately hand-painted, this rare group beautifully reflects the transition from the Late Gothic period into the Early Renaissance in Central Europe. Each card displays remarkable period detail, particularly in the finely rendered court figures dressed in late 15th-century attire- short doublets and jerkins, tight hose, puffed and slashed sleeves, feathered caps, and stylized armor elements. The costumes embody the expressive elegance of Late Gothic fashion while hinting at the emerging Renaissance aesthetic north of the Alps. The surviving hand-coloring- earthy reds, deep blues, muted greens, and warm ochres- enhances the strong linear quality of the woodcut technique. The natural wear, surface patina, and scattered losses visible in the images attest to the cards’ age and authentic use, adding to their historical character and collectible appeal. The sizes of the cards are irregular. The set includes a mix of pip and court cards, with beautifully stylized suit symbols and dynamic figural compositions. The expressive faces and exaggerated silhouettes are characteristic of 16th-century Austrian and Southern German printmaking traditions. Accompanied by an antique wooden storage box...

This is an absolutely rare and one of a kind custom made Plaque represents the History of Jewish People and their acceptance in society and freemasonry through out the world. The Plaque had been hand crafted and designed by August Klein- Purveyor to the Imperial and Royal Court of the Emperor Franz Josef of Austria. The Revolution of 1848 in the Austrian Empire seen by many Jewish intellectuals as a welcome opportunity to agitate for the emancipation of their community. Generally the social evolution of the Jewish community, the growing number of Jews who wanted to become Masons,their cultural integration, and the progress of the process that would soon lead to their legal emancipation all worked in favor of this change in attitude. In Austria it all started in 1742, only 25 years after the founding of the Grand Lodge of London and Winchester, the Lodge "Aux Trois Canons” was consecrated in Vienna by a Lodge from Breslau. It was, however, closed only six months later by order of “Empress” Maria Theresa I. Her husband Franz Stephan von Lothringen, (later the German Emperor Franz I...

This exceptional 15th-century Venetian painted casket is a rare example of early decorative art from the late Medieval to early Renaissance period in the Republic of Venice, Italy. H...

A rare and evocative mid-16th century French devotional embroidery depicting the Nativity, worked in silk and metal-wrapped threads on a linen ground. The composition shows the kneel...

A large antique 19th century Maw & Co glazed tile panel. This 19th century tile is the perfect decorative piece for those looking to appreciate Victorian design and English history....

A reclaimed 8-inch clay tile by Minton Hollins & Co. (stamped to reverse) illustrated with a mythological scene from Shakespeare’s 1593 poem ‘Venus and Adonis’. Inspired by Greek myt...

A set of 6 antique dust-pressed ceramic tiles by Minton Hollins (stamped) creating a decorative blue and white glazed frieze panel. Together, the tiles depicts a renaissance style sc...

Stunning Art Nouveau/ Arts & Crafts tile panel from the superb firm, Craven Dunnill, & Co., Ltd, Jackfield Salop, England, circa 1905, in a bright celadon. This quantity original jug...