Tracey Young

March 11, 2023

SOLD

Tracey Young

March 11, 2023

Gigantic 18th C Hand-Carved Belgian Bluestone Pot au Feu (Flame) Finial

This incredible flame finial, along with three identical smaller ones (FBF 1073 and 1074), once graced a private castle just outside of Nemur, Belgium. Exceptional in all respects, it is deeply and crisply carved, with an intricate flame rising from a semi-lobed body on a rising, flared socle that terminates in a square foot. It has its own short pedestal, also hand-carved in bluestone. In wonderful antique condition, it does have numerous age-related surface crazing cracks that are not worrisome as bluestone is very hard and can winter outside uncovered in all climates if installed on a stone footing. Place this regal piece at the center of your herb or rose garden or in the center of a parterre, surrounded by low boxwood for a stunning effect. Approximate weight is 300-350 lbs.

Belgium, CA 1780

Finial: H: 46 in Diam: 21.5 in Foot: 15 in

Base: H: 6 in W: 16.13 in D: 16.38 in

Ref: FBF 1072

**Gigantic 18th C Hand-Carved Belgian Bluestone Pot au Feu (Flame) Finial**

Tracey Young

March 10, 2023

SOLD

Tracey Young

March 10, 2023

Three Enormous 18th C Hand-Carved Belgian Bluestone Pot au Feu (Flame) Finials

These incredible flame finials once graced a private castle just outside of Nemur, Belgium and they are exceptional in all respects. Deeply and crisply carved, each features an intricate flame rising from a semi-lobed body on a rising, flared socle that terminates in a square foot. Each has its own short pedestal, also hand-carved in bluestone. All are in wonderful antique condition and are resplendent with a heavily-lichened patina. All have age-related surface crazing cracks that are not meaningful to their lifetime, as bluestone is very hard and can winter outside uncovered in all climates if installed on a stone footing. The finial in the front center position has had a recent repair just below the flame, done by a master artisan, and shown in the photos. Prior to the repair, the finial had a circumferential crack extending about 1/2 of the way around the finial but there was no movement, so it was not a full-thickness crack. Regardless, it is an excellent repair, color matched to the stone, and it is not evident unless you are looking for it. Place these regal finials flanking your front door, or to mark the entrance to your garden for a stunning effect. We are selling them as 1 single (the front center one) and 1 pair (the two to the rear in the photos), but have priced them individually, although you may buy all three. Approximate weight is 350 lbs. each.

Belgium, CA 1780

Finials: H: 40 in Diameter: 18 in Foot: 12.63 in sq.

Bases: 16 in square x 6 in high

Overall: H: 46 in Diameter: 18 in Foot: 16 in sq.

Ref: FBF 1073, FBF 1074

**Three Enormous 18th C Hand-Carved Belgian Bluestone Pot au Feu (Flame) Finials**

Laura Vacca

August 5, 2019

SOLD

Laura Vacca

August 5, 2019

Tall French Fleur-de-Lys Terracotta Finial on English Terracotta Plinth

We’ve never seen any finial this tall, let alone such a stunning French one with 2 fleurs-de-lys and a detailed pineapple-form top. The beaded decoration near the bottom, combined with the fluted upright sections and barley-twist motif (near the base) are truly stunning, as is the condition. The color is a lovely pale salmon pink with a faded pale gray patina that works with everything in your garden. We have married it to a low English Victorian reeded plinth/pedestal to ground it and add even more presence. The plinth is in very good overall condition with a few nicks and chips and features a chippy and old white painted surface that is perfect to reveal the color underneath. Place this as the center focal point in an herb or rose garden and enjoy a truly unique piece of antique garden art. We strongly recommend installing the terracotta plinth on a piece of stone so that it does not wick moisture from the ground in climates that experience freeze-thaw cycles. BTW, the finial and base come apart for easy shipping and installation.

France, CA 1900; English, CA 1860

FInial Alone: H: 55.25 in Diameter: 15 in

Plinth Alone: H: 11.5 in D: 15.75 in W: 15.75 in

Overall height: 63.5 in

Ref: FBF 1070

**Tall French Fleur-de-Lys Terracotta Finial on English Terracotta Plinth**

Laura Vacca

September 29, 2016

SOLD

Laura Vacca

September 29, 2016

Pair of Stately 17th Century English Stone Urn Finials

We discovered this large pair of carved stone urn top finials in the far northern reaches of England. Amazing in form and size, their bowed and swagged decoration is subtle and elegant, while their sculptural essence shines. Imagine them raised atop heavy steel poles at differing heights in a contemporary garden or gracing a huge pair of stone pillars. Two old moss-filled cracks and parts of the upper edge surface were repaired with cast stone in the late 18th or early 19th C. The warm, honey-colored surface is appropriately and beautifully weathered with some greening that will turn into moss if they are placed in a shady and moist area. Completely solid and resistant to our Northeastern winters. We have drilled the top of our stone wall to accept their iron pintles so they stand upright. Just gorgeous!

England, late 17th C.

H: 16.5 in D: 24 in

Price: $12,000

Ref: FBF 1011

**Pair of Stately 17th Century English Stone Urn Finials**

Laura Vacca

September 29, 2016

SOLD

Laura Vacca

September 29, 2016

Pair of French 19th C Estate-Sized French Limestone Finials with Vine Decoration

This pair of very large finials (each in two parts) is hand-carved from French limestone and features a rare swirled incised vine decoration to the conical tops. Beautifully weathered to a very pale grey, they will make a stunning statement perched atop the entrance gate piers to your home or flanking a grand entrance way. One base suffered some breakage long before we bought it, but has been professionally restored and looks quite good. Minor chips and knocks typical for pieces of this age. PLEASE NOTE that there are natural striations in the stone, and these are not cracks.

France, CA 1830.

H: 33 in D: 16 in

Price: $9,400, the pair

Ref: FBF 1048