Antique religious icon with an embossed metal oklad and hand painted faces, sourced in Sardinia. The metal cover is richly worked with floral and symbolic detailing, all done by hand and showing real age. The painted faces of the Madonna and Child are visible through the openings, giving the piece depth and that layered, devotional look associated with older icons.

The metal has oxidised and darkened over time, and the wooden panel beneath shows age movement, which is exactly what you want to see on a piece of this period. Icons with this level of hand tooling, intact panels and original painted insert are becoming harder to find, especially outside their countries of origin.

Height 34 cm

Width 27 cm

Hand carved wooden folk cat, full of charm and character. The body has that playful stretched pose with painted features and bold black and white markings. Light age and wear to the paint which gives it a lovely handmade feel. A sweet little decorative piece that adds personality wherever you put it.

Height 30 cm
Width 8 cm

A powerful Cameroon ceremonial helmet mask carved from a single block of dense hardwood. The weight alone tells its story. At 2.5 kg, it has the presence and gravity of a piece that was made to be worn in ritual, not produced for the tourist market. The broad, domed form and expressive features create a striking silhouette, softened by the worn pigment and the slow patina of age.

There is a real sense of character in the carving, from the raised triangular chest to the deep set eyes and the toothy grin. It feels both protective and enigmatic, exactly what you want from an old ceremonial mask. The surface carries the marks of handling, use, and time, giving it a texture that only comes from decades of life.

A commanding sculptural piece for a shelf or console.

Height 28 cm

width 26 cm

Antique Indian carved teak horse head corbel, now mounted on an iron stand. Originally part of architectural carving, it still carries traces of old red paint and the worn tool marks of its making. The weathering, losses and surface wear all sit well on a piece of this age and give it a striking, time softened presence. A bold decorative object with real personality.

Height 29 cm
Width 10 cm