Large Antique Tibetan Buddhist Mandala Thangka Painting on Canvas, Framed

Italian Oil Painting on Canvas in a Giltwood Florentine Frame 18th Century This finely painted Italian oil on canvas, presented behind glass, dates from the 18th century and is belie...

Charming ‘Royal College of Needle Art’ Wool and Silk Tapestry This is a very early tapestry with the ‘Royal College of Needle Art’ label on the reverse. We have made contact with th...

19th Century Oil Painting “Taste of Freedom” – Unsigned A delightful scene in which a pet Blackbird is let out of their cage and allowed to eat some of their masters food, quite po...

Large 19th Century Florentine Heraldic Pietra Dura Plaque, Allegory of Peace, c.1890 This magnificent late 19th-century Italian Pietra Dura (Florentine mosaic) plaque is a virtuoso work of lapidary art, representing the absolute pinnacle of luxury commissions from the historic workshops of Florence. Often described as "painting in stone," this complex technique involves the meticulous cutting, fitting, and polishing of specimen hardstones and semi-precious minerals to create a seamless, fluid pictorial composition. Unlike standard, decorative multi-figure works, this specific plaque is a highly sophisticated, bespoke Heraldic and Allegorical Commission. Woven directly into the stone landscape are precise aristocratic charges: a prominent coat of arms featuring three chevrons, balanced by three doves perched in the trees. In European heraldry, the three chevrons traditionally symbolise amplified protection, faithful service, and the robust founding or fortification of a noble house. The three doves perched in flourishing branches signify peace, fidelity, and a family lineage rooted in prosperous, divine tranquility rather than bloody conquest. The plaque acts as a beautiful Allegory of Harmony and Peace, depicting a seated musician serenading a companion under the direct protection of the noble family crest. The master lapidary artist has seamlessly utilised the natural veining, variegation, and shading of choice jaspers, agates, chalcedonies, and colored marbles to simulate the organic textures of fabric folds, tree bark, and lifelike tones, all set against a flawless, solid black Belgian marble ground. History & Origin Technique: Commesso Fiorentino / Pietra Dura (Florentine Inlay Mosaic) Period: Late 19th Century (Circa 1880–1900) Origin: Florence, Italy Materials: Inlaid specimen hardstones (including jaspers, agates, and porphyry) on a black marble base. Dealer’s Comments "This is an absolute masterpiece of the craft, and its sheer physical presence is extraordinary. At 54cm square and weighing a very heavy 6.6kg, it is a truly substantial piece of lapidary art. What elevates this far above standard Florentine plaques...

A thangka depicting the mandala of Avalokiteshvara Tibet, Late 20th century. The central deity, flanked to each side by three Lamas, above a central mandala composed of concent...

An intricately detailed late-20th-century Tibetan Buddhist thangka depicting a Maitreya Buddha mandala, stated to have been found at Jokhang Monastery in Tibet. Entirely hand-painte...

A finely executed 21st-century Tibetan Buddhist Kalachakra Mandala, traditionally associated with Namgyal Monastery in Tibet. Entirely handmade on prepared canvas, the composition i...

A richly detailed late 20th-century Tibetan Kalachakra Mandala, traditionally associated with Namgyal Monastery in Tibet. Entirely handmade on prepared canvas and painted with pigme...