Gallery of Rare Jewels | David Humphrey

"Rosssignol" - A Rare Lalique Art Deco, Eight-Day Mantle Clock Circa 1931

This mantle clock is a rare and delightful example of Renee Lalique's mastery of glass and design. The eight-day movement is by Omega and the case by Lalique showing 12 nightingales in relief on a frosted clock face with black painted Arabic hours and steel "sword" hands. The back is chromed as shown below. Movement signed Omega. Signed R. Lalique
Omegamania Auction featured the "Rossignol" mantle clock by Lalique in 2007, which sold for $41,115.
20 x 21.5 cm

Captured in Time - A spectacular event under the sea

What appears to be red coral is, in fact, the result of overgrowth after the death of a branching, white hard coral; colonized or taken over by a sponge, algae or bryozoan which appears as a red encrustation. Please take note in the additional images where the deep folds of the large clam shell can be seen to which, the coral originally attached itself.

This specimen measures approx.
9 x 10 x 8 inches

Guan Yu - Gilt lacquer on wood - late 19th century

An historical figure turned fierce guardian and object of worship, Guan Yu was a general at the end of the Han Dynasty. Though considered as an emblem of war he is actually venerated as a man of peace who would rather keep violence to a minimum and, as such, he is worshipped throughout China. This monumental figure stands 24 inches and weighs over 30 lbs. He brings the gift of PRESENCE as seen in the images!

19th c. Vietnam: French Colonial Altar House

This antique, gilded wood altar, combines the distinctly Asian taste and sensibility of the Vietnamese artists who were most likely commissioned by the Jesuits to create this altar to house a statue of a Catholic luminary.
16 1/2" x 40 1/4" x 18 1/4"

Pre-historic Camel's Foot

A fossilized camel's foot from South Dakota. This is not a replica but the real thing. For the paleontologist who has everything!
19" from tip to toe, and I do mean toe!

19th century Chinese Water Coupe

This beautiful example of Chinese taste is a 19th century water coupe with a rich flambe glaze. 1 3/4" tall.

"Water coupes were small pots for ornamental as well as functional use by Chinese scholars. Displayed on their desks, they were filled with water for making ink or for refilling the artist's brush washers to clean their writing utensils. Many were delicately carved from a variety of colored jades and agates and were patterned after organic plant forms or animals."

Information courtesy of Lois Thomas, p4A.com editor, April, 2009.

Ancient Kohl Dish - 3rd c. BC

This dish was found in the Necropolis north of the ancient Punic city of Kerkouane in Tunisia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necropolis_of_Kerkouane The recessed center indicates that the dish was probably used in a woman’s chamber for the application of kohl, the ancient eye cosmetic still in use today in Africa and India.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohl
The dish measures 8 inches in diameter.

Cloisonne lidded cup - China 18th century

The charming cloisonne lidded cup measures 1 1/2" in diameter. Late 18th century (Qianlong Period)

Qing Dynasty Buckle Tourmaline and jadeite

This Qing Dynasty (turn of the 20th century) buckle features a large polished, pink tourmaline slice from California and a Burmese "moss on snow" jadeite. The gilt copper buckle features ice crackle decoration behind the transparent pink tourmaline. The Empress Dowager, Tzu-hsi, was the most important patron of California tourmalines during her lifetime and consequently China became its biggest importer in the late 19th century.