Curiosities, Objects de Vertu and a Selection of African Art. In partnership with Baias Arte.

Four Vespa advertising signs
Italy, 20th century
A group of four photographic reproduction of 60's and 70's advertising signs for Vespa Piaggio.
cm 35x26.5

Spice container in the shape of a car
India, circa 1960
A container for pàn - mixture of betel leaf and spices - designed in the stylized shape of a 1950s American car. The trunk, connected to the roof and front hood, lifts to reveal a series of small compartments meant for the ritual ingredients of pàn.
L cm 26

Pocket watch with stand
Europe, late 19th century
Double-case pocket watch, likely in silver, mounted on a turned wooden stand covered with knurled metal and hand-painted.
H cm 10

A bronze mortar
Italy, 19th century
A bell-shaped mortar in cast bronze in dark greenish patina with its pestle.
H cm 13.5

Pair of cast iron door knockers
Italy, 20th century
Sturdy pair of door knockers made of cast iron, each shaped as a horse's head framed by a horseshoe design.
H cm 15

A French iron cast cupid
France, 19th century
Cast iron frieze depicting a cupid amidst foliate scrolls.
H cm 30

Three ancient glass urinal bottles
Italy? 19th century
Lot consisting of three glass bottles of different size and shape. Two of these pieces are meant for male use, while the third is for female use.
L max cm 28

A bronze Nike
Italy, Early 20th century
A cast figure depicting the Victory of Samotracia.
H cm 13.5

A small King David bronze
Italy, 18th century
Heavy cast bronze figure representing David with Goliath's head.
H cm 15.5

A fine cast bronze dog
France, Late 18th century - Early 19th century
Heavy cast bronze model of a crouched Cavalier King Charles Spaniel resting on a pillow.
H cm 21

Portrait in El Fayum style
Italy, 18th century
Tempera on board.
Representing a young lady with pearls earrings.
Cm 40x30

Rare Liturgical Manuscript Leaf in Ge'ez on Parchment
Ethiopia, 18th Century
A double-sided leaf written in black and red ink on animal parchment, in accordance with the Coptic liturgical tradition. Likely produced between the 15th and 18th centuries, and probably originating from an ecclesiastical scriptorium in the Horn of Africa.
Cm 27.5 x 23

Original Masonic Certificate of the Knights Templar
England, 1863
A rare Victorian-era document issued by the Great Conclave of the Masonic Knights Templar of England and Wales, dated May 26, 1863, certifying the initiation of Companion Edward James Blaksley into the esteemed Order of the Masonic Knights Templar. Originating from Royal Arch Chapter No. 89 'Marquis of Lansdowne,' based in Wiltshire, the certificate is partially handwritten in elegant 19th-century script and retains its original embossed seal, depicting two armed Templar knights flanking a heraldic shield.
The text includes ritual references typical of the period, such as the Latin motto 'In Hoc Signo Vinces' ('In This Sign You Shall Conquer'), and employs the Masonic dating system Anno Lucis 5863, corresponding to 1863 in the Gregorian calendar.
Cm 41x28

Illuminated page from a manuscript Qur'an with marginal glosses
Middle East, 18th century
Handwritten page in Arabic from an ancient Qur'an, featuring an illuminated header in gold and natural pigments. In addition to the main text, it bears numerous marginal glosses, suggesting a meditative and interpretative use.
Manuscrpt dimensions: cm 21x16

Giovanni Cappelli (Cesena, 1923-1994, attr.) 'Palafitta'
Italy, 20th century
Oil on canvas.
The subject, two heads impaled on stakes, evokes a dramatic image suspended between historical representation and existential allegory. Signed on the back of the canvas.
Cm 40x50

Peter Lely (attr.) Portrait of a Lady
England, 17th century
Miniature, oil on copper depicting Louise de Kérouaille probably realized by Peter Lely (1618-1680).
The miniature is in its original gold frame.
H cm 8.5x7

A terracotta model of a camel
Italy, Early 20th century
Terracotta sculpture partially polychrome depicting a standing caparisoned camel and a sitting Arab.
cm 23x27

An alabaster crucifixion group
Italy, 17th century
An alabaster carving depicting the Calvary with Mary and Saint John with a later bronze Christ in cross.
H max cm 43

A Wedgwood plaque
England, 18th century
A small round plaquette in its frame, with a male portrait on light blue ground.
The porcelain plaque: D cm 9

A maiolica sacred image
Italy, 19th century
A moulded glazed terracotta in low-relief depicting the Sacred Family.
Cm 31x26

A Meissen fruit casket
Germany, 19th century
A porcelain casket in bright colours with pierced body decorated with branches of blackberry.
D cm 22
H cm 9

A bisquit eagle
France? Early 20th century
A white bisquit model of an eagle resting on a wooden trunk.
H cm 30

Three Richard Ginori 'Colonial pieces'
Italy, c. 1930
Lot consisting of a dinner plate, a soup plate and soup bowl. The three pieces are decorated in bright colours with motif of African babies, camels and palms.
D cm 22

A group of eleven green glasses
Italy, 20th century
Lot consisting of four simple conical shaped glasses and five green glass moulded glasses. This particular colour is typical of Italian glass production of Empoli in Tuscany.
H cm 13