The Present Past

03/01/2026

This piece is a "moving coiffeuse" or vanity table, attributed to the renowned French cabinetmaker Gabriel Viardot, who specialized in the Japonism style during the late 19th century.

Style:
The table exhibits the distinctive French "Chinoiserie" or Japonism style, which blends East Asian motifs with European furniture forms.
Design:
Key features of this style include the elegant, curved cabriole legs, carved openwork stretchers, and the use of imported lacquered or carved panels from China or Japan. The legs typically end in a "claw and ball" foot, as seen in similar pieces.
Function:
A coiffeuse is a dressing or vanity table. This specific "moving" design likely refers to the hinged, lift-top mirror and internal compartments, allowing it to function both as a desk or occasional table when closed and a vanity when open.

About Gabriel Viardot
Gabriel Viardot (1830–1906) was a leading exponent of this style in Paris, starting as a wood carver and eventually employing a large staff of cabinetmakers and sculptors. He gained international recognition and won multiple gold medals at major exhibitions, including the 1889 and 1900 Universal Exhibitions in Paris. His work is highly sought after by collectors today, with many pieces being signed or stamped.

03/01/2026

A pair of Chinese guardian lions, commonly referred to as Foo Dogs or Fu Dogs in the West. They are a traditional Chinese architectural ornament, typically displayed in pairs to symbolize protection, prosperity, and success.

Symbolism:
These figures are symbolic protectors. The pair usually consists of a male and a female:

The male (left, with a paw on an intricately carved ball) represents supremacy over the world and protects the structure.

The female (right, with a paw on a playful cub) represents the nurturing spirit and protects the people within the home.

Placement:
In traditional Feng Shui, they are placed at entrances of palaces, temples, or homes, looking outward to guard against harmful spiritual influences and people.

Origins:
Originating in the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), the concept of protective lions arrived in China via trade along the Silk Road and through Buddhist traditions from Central Asia and Persia. Lions were not native to China, so artists created stylized, mythical representations, blending real lion features with those of native dog breeds like the Chow Chow and Shih Tzu, leading to the Western "Foo Dog" name.

Purpose:
These figures were traditionally placed in pairs outside imperial palaces, government offices, temples, and wealthy homes to ward off evil spirits and harmful influences.
The Sancai Glaze: The distinctive green and yellow glaze, as seen in your image, is an example of Sancai ("three colors") glazing. This low-fired lead-based technique was popular during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) for mortuary and decorative wares, though the style was revived in later periods.

A pair of large late 19th century Chinese sancai glazed pottery dogs of foo in traditional colours of green, mustard and brown.

These large decorative figures are in very good condition.
They do display a few very small minor age related chips to the glaze.

Dimensions:
Height: 15.36 in (39 cm)Width: 11.82 in (30 cm)Depth: 7.88 in (20 cm)
Sold As: Set of 2
Style: Chinese Export (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques: Paint,Pottery,Hand-Carved
Place of Origin: China

03/01/2026

02/01/2026

Gilded bronze copper portrait plaque of Napoleon Bonaparte, likely dating to the early 19th century. It was created by the French medalist and sculptor André Galle (1761–1844), whose signature, GALLE FECIT (Galle made it), typically appears below the portrait.

Medallion gilded bronze edited for the coronation of Napoleon 1st December 2, 1804.
Profile left laureate head, inscription "NAPOLEON EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH AND KING OF ITALY.GALLE FECIT.
Was still on the reverse a carton of the engraver" Galle the Elder, Engraver in medal, street of Chaume n ° 7 in the Marais, in Paris "Gilt bronze frame with ring of suspension Perfect condition of the medallion, slight wear of the gold on the frame Diameter: 8,8 cm.

02/01/2026

French Sèvres-style porcelain tea set (or tête-à-tête set).
The set features a striking cobalt blue ground, extensive gold gilding, and hand-painted scenic cartouches depicting a palaces and various chateaus.

02/01/2026

A pair of Chinese guardian lions, commonly referred to as Foo Dogs or Fu Dogs in the West. They are a traditional Chinese architectural ornament, typically displayed in pairs to symbolize protection, prosperity, and success.

Symbolism:
These figures are symbolic protectors. The pair usually consists of a male and a female:

The male (left, with a paw on an intricately carved ball) represents supremacy over the world and protects the structure.

The female (right, with a paw on a playful cub) represents the nurturing spirit and protects the people within the home.

Placement:
In traditional Feng Shui, they are placed at entrances of palaces, temples, or homes, looking outward to guard against harmful spiritual influences and people.

Origins:
Originating in the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), the concept of protective lions arrived in China via trade along the Silk Road and through Buddhist traditions from Central Asia and Persia. Lions were not native to China, so artists created stylized, mythical representations, blending real lion features with those of native dog breeds like the Chow Chow and Shih Tzu, leading to the Western "Foo Dog" name.

Purpose:
These figures were traditionally placed in pairs outside imperial palaces, government offices, temples, and wealthy homes to ward off evil spirits and harmful influences.
The Sancai Glaze: The distinctive green and yellow glaze, as seen in your image, is an example of Sancai ("three colors") glazing. This low-fired lead-based technique was popular during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) for mortuary and decorative wares, though the style was revived in later periods.

A pair of large late 19th century Chinese sancai glazed pottery dogs of foo in traditional colours of green, mustard and brown.

These large decorative figures are in very good condition.
They do display a few very small minor age related chips to the glaze.

Dimensions:
Height: 15.36 in (39 cm)Width: 11.82 in (30 cm)Depth: 7.88 in (20 cm)
Sold As: Set of 2
Style: Chinese Export (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques: Paint,Pottery,Hand-Carved
Place of Origin: China

02/01/2026

-Yashica 635- (Vintage Camera)
The Yashica 635 is a Twin Lens Reflex (TLR) film camera introduced in 1958. It is highly regarded by photography enthusiasts for its unique "dual-format" capability.
Dual Format: It primarily shoots 120 medium format film (6x6 cm frames), but with a special adapter kit, it can also shoot standard 35mm film.
Optics: Most models feature an 80mm f/3.5 Yashikor lens (3-element triplet), while some later versions used the sharper Yashinon lens (4-element Tessar-type).
Controls: It uses a manual Copal-MXV shutter with speeds ranging from 1 second to 1/500th, plus a "Bulb" setting for long exposures.
Usage: It features a waist-level viewfinder, meaning you look down into the top of the camera to compose your shot. It is popular for street photography because its design is less "intimidating" than modern DSLRs.