Set of Five Huge Hillside Stacking Planters or Cascading Fountain
These contemporary demilune planters can be stacked in a straight or sweeping vertical plane or used back to back to form circles. Made from a now-weathered dark brown concrete with a hint of rose, they feature a heavy dark grey aggregate on the exposed edges that works beautifully with grasses, sedum and trailing vines. Alternatively, you can plug the drain-holes to create a magnificent cascading hillside fountain. They can also be used as curved steps in a garden, either planted with grass or turned upside-down. These planters are in very good condition, two have a hairline crack to the front face that does not affect form or function and they have overwintered in Connecticut uncovered for several years with no damage.
We are still not entirely sure what this piece was originally intended as, given its hollow tree-form base, but we would use it as a planter, umbrella stand or, most likely, as the fabulous piece of sculpture it is without adornments. Johnny Angel is missing his left hand, but no matter as his naïveté and joie de vivre outshine all. We can have a bottom mortared to the tree-form base if you like to accommodate a large planting. In good condition overall, the figure has a few hairline cracks to the right shoulder and right ankle that are very solid and do not compromise form or function in any way. These can be repaired upon request.
Five Piece Wrought Iron Dining Set in Lattice Pattern
This charming five piece dining suite comprises four chairs with removable, newly-covered cushioned slip seats and a rectangular glass-topped table. The wrought iron now has some moderate surface rusting, but nothing than cannot easily be remedied with a can of spray paint. The glass top, which is thin and not original, has a few chips, but is perfectly serviceable if you don't want to invest in heavier glass. There are four original chairs, but one can seat six at the table if needed. Lovely in the garden and the chairs are VERY comfortable.
This lovely hand-wrought iron grille was not originally intended as a gate, but could easily be transformed into one with hinges by our talented blacksmith. It is in perfect structural condition, with surface rusting, and, of course, can be sandblasted and painted to your customer specifications on request. Wonderful on a wall over an outdoor fireplace, as a gate to your secret garden, or make into an outdoor coffee table.
Tall Italian Marble Tazza Fountain with Double-Entwined Dolphins
This classically-elegant tazza-form marble fountain in 5 parts is absolutely stunning. Removed from a posh London conservatory, its lightly-honed surface belies its true age, but the quality of the carving is all that one could ask for in a period piece. The riser has recessed palm leaf panels and the underside of the bowl is covered with anthemion leaves. Two entwined dolphins with bronze spigots complete the look. In beautiful condition overall, the dolphins have 2 old, barely-visible repairs. Very minor chipping to base commensurate with age and use.
English Fireclay Fountain of Child with Fish Attributed to LEFCO
This unusual and lovely fountain in two parts features a frog-decorated rockwood base surmounted with a seated child grasping a fish. It is easy to plumb and place in a small basin for your city garden or terrace. Alternatively, it doubles as a statue and would make a charming focal point in a small herb or rose garden. In overall excellent condition, there are a few tiny chips to the base of the fountain and a small chip on the mouth of the fish. Surface commensurate with age. Fireclay is very hardy in cold weather and can be left outside year-round uncovered as long as it is installed on stone or compacted gravel. Unsigned, but reliably attributed to the Leeds Fireclay Company (LEFCO).
Used throughout the Mediterranean countries to store water and oil from ancient times through the 19th C, terracotta amphora have made a resurgence in gardens and interiors as pieces of sculpture and water features. This one has one remaining handle that makes it resemble an oversized pitcher and it sports a beautifully weathered surface. Other than the missing handle, this piece is in excellent condition with minor wear and a few chips consistent with age and use. It will need to be covered or brought inside during the winter in cold climates.
Superb Pair of French Terracotta Armorial Lions, Signed "Garouste"
This superbly-modeled and executed opposing pair of terracotta lions was crafted and signed by the well-known 19th C atelier of Jean Garouste in Castelnaudary, Southwestern France. Fabulous detailing, exceptional patina, differing head postures, and wonderful condition make these a very rare find indeed. Perfect atop tall stone gate piers to guard the entrance to your home, or flanking your front door, these lions are magnificent and likely never to be found again.
What a charming piece and quite rare! This beautifully-carved statue is most probably from the Low Countries (Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg) and features a young boy with mandolin serenading his little sister. She gazes upwards adoringly at him, offering him a fistful of flowers. The statue has a beautiful patina and moss in spots that will return to a lustrous green, once placed back outside in the cool, damp shade. There is a solid repair to brim of the boy's hat executed by our restorer that is difficult to detect. Otherwise, the figure is in excellent condition.
Magnificent Life-Size Italian Terracotta Statue of Flora
It is rare to find a life-size garden terracotta statue of such age that, other than missing its hands, is in remarkably good condition. Stamped on the base, the maker is illegible, but one can make out that she originated from Milan. This life-sized statue of Flora, Goddess of Spring, is magnificently-sculpted and hand-pieced and the details on her hair and dress make this a work of art that will command admiration for centuries to come. Suitable for interior or exterior decoration, Flora would make an outstanding focal point at the center of a boxwood parterre or in a foyer, conservatory or dining room. If placed outside, she will need to be covered in winter unless your climate is mild year-round.
Rare English Fireclay Sundial by Compton Potteries
This is, by far, our most unusual sundial, and one of our all-time favorites. It features Atlas holding the "world," bisected by a gorgeous and unusual verdigris demi-lune bronze gnomon. Even though Atlas has lost his head, the "world" has been repaired, the top piece and octagonal 22" diameter base have numerous chips, dings, repairs and losses, nothing could be be more appropriately allegorical today. The riser is in near perfect condition. In heavily-weathered and beautifully-patinated surface, we discovered this beauty in a private Sheffield, England garden during a downpour but just had to have it. And because it is made of fireclay, it will perform well in cold climates, but should be covered in the winter. In 3 parts. Fair condition.
Large Handled Rococo 19th C French Cast Iron Urn with Faux Flowers
This very large tabletop cast iron urn has a lush romantic look, crisp detailed casting, oval base and oval handles in old silver paint. Filled to overflowing with fabulous faux flowers by Sari Weatherwax in shades of grey, green and white, it would make an incredible centerpiece on a large dining or side table. In wonderful condition, it has a weathered surface with a small amount of rusting commensurate with age. No chips, repairs, cracks or missing pieces.
France, CA 1890.
Dimensions listed below include the flowers. Without flowers, the urn measures 14" hi x 33" wide x 12" deep.
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!
Rare Pair of French Terracotta Armorial Griffins, Signed "Merareau"
Superlative in all respects, this proper opposing pair of French hand-modeled terracotta armorial griffins has traces of blue paint and is signed "Merareau '94" on both statues. With incredible detail, these figures are rare, rare, rare and feature a lovely, age- appropriate surface. There are losses and a old repair to the front and back edges of bases and one wing, along with minor restoration to the beak of one. These griffins would be sensational perched on your entrance gate piers or atop a stone wall flanking the entrance to your garden.
English 19th C Cast Iron Conservatory Table with White Marble Top
This lovely cast iron table base is from Birmingham and is signed on the feet by its maker, Gaskill and Chambers. Its original grey marble top was broken in shipment, so we have paired it with a late 19th C white marble top with 3 finished edges (the back edge is raw). It's the perfect accent piece for your sunroom or conservatory, outside for meals, or as a small serving table. In lovely condition, the top has a few age appropriate nicks top and surface rusting to the painted base.
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.