01 novembre 2020
An anatomical study of five human skulls on a table with a book and a skeleton behind, English School, 1845
Lot 9. An anatomical study of five human skulls on a table with a book and a skeleton behind, English School, 1845; with inscription ‘J. Constable/ 1845’ (lower right) and inscribed ‘To Dr. Shaw with J.M. Constable's compts’ (lower left), pencil, pen and brown ink and watercolour on paper, 93⁄4 x 131⁄2 in. (25 x 34.5 cm.)l. Estimate: GBP 1,500 - GBP 2,500 (USD 1,008 - USD 1,512). © Christie's Images Ltd 2020.
Provenance: The Scottish Surgeon Alexander Shaw... [Lire la suite]01 novembre 2020
A memento mori Janus head rosary bead, Spanish, 17th century
Lot 9. A memento mori Janus head rosary bead, Spanish, 17th century; 21⁄4 in. (5.5 cm.) high, 31⁄4 in. (8.5 cm.) high, overall. Estimate: GBP 800 - GBP 1,200 (USD 1,008 - USD 1,512). © Christie's Images Ltd 2020.
bone; with a head of Christ to one side and a skull to the reverse; with a silver filigree pendant mount, hung from a modern metal stand.
Provenance: A private collection, London.
Christie's. Finch and Co’s Cabinet of... [Lire la suite]01 novembre 2020
A snuff box, French, circa 1810
Lot 9. A snuff box, French, circa 1810; 1 in. (2.4 cm.) high; 3 in. (7.8 cm.) diameter. Estimate: GBP 800 - GBP 1,200 (USD 1,008 - USD 1,512). © Christie's Images Ltd 2020.
walnut with a tortoiseshell lining; the lid decorated with three skulls illustrating the anatomical theory of phrenology developed by Franz Joseph Gall (1758-1828) and a list of Gall's 27 'fundamental faculties' to the reverse.
Note: The theory of phrenology was first developed in Vienna in circa 1800 by... [Lire la suite]01 novembre 2020
A snuff box, French, circa 1810
Lot 9. A snuff box, French, circa 1810; 1 in. (2.4 cm.) high; 3 in. (7.8 cm.) diameter. Estimate: GBP 800 - GBP 1,200 (USD 1,008 - USD 1,512). © Christie's Images Ltd 2020.
walnut with a tortoiseshell lining; the lid decorated with three skulls illustrating the anatomical theory of phrenology developed by Franz Joseph Gall (1758-1828) and a list of Gall's 27 'fundamental faculties' to the reverse.
Note: The theory of phrenology was first developed in Vienna in circa 1800 by... [Lire la suite]01 novembre 2020
Two Memento Mori Skulls, German, 17th and 18th century
Lot 10. Two Memento Mori Skulls, German, 17th and 18th century; 6 in. (15.5 cm.) high. Estimate: GBP 800 - GBP 1,200 (USD 1,008 - USD 1,512). © Christie's Images Ltd 2020.
One polychrome limewood, 18th century; the other boxwood, 17th century; each on a modern base.The limewood skull: 11⁄4 in. (3.5 cm.) high; 41⁄2 in. (11.5 cm.) high, overallThe boxwood skull: 1 in. (2.5 cm.) high; 33⁄4 in. (9.5 cm.) high, overall.
Provenance: A private collection, England.
... [Lire la suite]01 novembre 2020
An ormolu-mounted Sicilian red coral branch, French, First half 19th century
Lot 4. An ormolu-mounted Sicilian red coral branch, French, First half 19th century; 6 in. (15.5 cm.) high. Estimate: GBP 1,500 - GBP 2,500 (USD 1,890 - USD 3,150). © Christie's Images Ltd 2020.
coral; on a later green marble base, the base not affixed.
Provenance: A private collection, Europe, acquired in London, 1980s.
Note: Coral, fished from the coastal waters of Sicily, was prized from the Middle Ages for its amuletic power to ward off evil.
Christie's. Finch and Co’s Cabinet of... [Lire la suite]01 novembre 2020
A dolphin, Trapani, late 17th-early 18th century
Lot 6. A dolphin, Trapani, late 17th-early 18th century; 11⁄4 x 21⁄2 x 11⁄4 in. (3.5 x 6.5 x 3.5 cm.). Estimate: GBP 800 - GBP 1,200 (USD 1,008 - USD 1,512). © Christie's Images Ltd 2020.
coral; on a later green marble base, the base not affixed.
Provenance: Ex Private European collectionAcquired London early 1970’s.
Note: The ancient Greeks loved dolphins. They called them ‘philomousoi’, music lovers, because they believed that dolphins danced when they heard it.... [Lire la suite]