Skull on a quadrilateral console, wood, Germany (?), 18th, 19th century.
A realistic representation of a human skull, set on a console with a trapezoidal cross-section, tapering downwards. The console is decorated with a geometric ornament of simple grooves. On the back there is a wire for hanging the sculpture on the wall. The skull was made of a different kind of wood than the console, and is undoubtedly older than it. It is probably dated to the 18th century, when sculptures depicting miniature skulls symbolizing "memento mori" were particularly widespread. At the same time, it cannot be ruled out that it did not constitute a separate entity, but was an element of some representation, such as placed at the base of a crucifix.
Table spoon, silver, Poland, ca. 1650
Silver tablespoon made in the Republic circa 1650.; baroque with egg-shaped scoop, on the back, at the joining of the scoop and the handle, engraved cartouche of the coat of arms with a hollow shield; the handle in the form of a flat faceted bar, decorated with engraving, originally ending in a profiled dome.
Very similar spoons are held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków (including MNK XV-307 https://zbiory.mnk.pl/pl/katalog/523365 ). The similarities are not only in size, but also in form and decoration. It is very likely that they were made in the same workshop or workshop circle.
Tablespoon, silver, Poland, c. mid-17th century.
A Baroque tablespoon, c. mid-17th century. Features a smooth, ovoid bowl. The bar-shaped handle is hexagonal in cross-section, profiled, and terminates in a finial. Both upper and lower sides are adorned with an engraved serpentine motif, divided into three zones. The handle's junction with the bowl forms a cartouche, embellished with a sculptural mascaron. The underside of the cartouche bears engraved initials 'GLP' and a variant of the Mogiła coat of arms.
Wooden Spoon with ‘V’ Initial, Germany, 19th Century.
This hand-carved wooden spoon, 23 cm long, originates from Poland and is dated to the 19th century or earlier. The deep, functional bowl shows clear signs of use. The handle is adorned with serrated line carvings and a 'V' initial, likely for owner identification. A leather strap with an old collector's paper tag remains attached to the end.
In the 19th century in Poland, spoons of this type were among the basic items of everyday use on rural and pastoral farms. They were made by hand from a single piece of wood, which was part of the tradition of Polish folk craftsmanship, based on simple, durable materials.
Copies with preserved markings are rare today, documenting the development of Polish material culture and everyday practices of village life.
Baroque votive plaque depicting a nobleman, repoussé silver, Poland, 17th–18th century.
Belt link, gilded silver, Poland, 17th century
A gilded silver belt element in the form of a rectangular segment with open sides, creating an opening that allows a leather strap to pass through.
At the bottom there is a loop designed for hanging a decorative element. Links of this type likely formed a sequence of repeating belt segments; loops may have been present only on some of them and served to suspend decorative additions, such as small chains.
The decorative side is divided by a vertical double rib into two symmetrical fields. In each of them, three stylized flowers are arranged symmetrically. The background between them is concave, with a fine, granular texture, probably achieved by punching. The whole is surrounded by a narrow, smooth border.
Chapel with Our Lady of Czestochowa and Eagle, Poland, 19th century.
A unique, 19th century chapel (pendant medal) of large format, depicting the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa with the infant Jesus. The front is decorated with an engraved representation of the icon with hand-polychrome faces, robes and halos. In the rim is a Latin inscription: "TERRIBILIS UT CASTRORUM ACIES ORDINATA" a quote from the Song of Songs, read as a symbol of Mary's strength as protector and queen.
On the back there is a classical eagle with a crown, coat of arms and outspread wings, typical of the iconography of the Kingdom of Poland, and a ribbon with an inscription: "REGINA POLONIAE - MISERERE MEI" (Queen of Poland - have mercy on me).The chapel is made of uniform silver-plated sheet metal (brass or alpaca), with a hanging handle. A product with a strong symbolic charge, popular especially during the periods of partitions and national pilgrimages to Jasna Gora.
Coin Necklace, Silver, Rock Crystal, Bronze, Poland, 17th Century
A necklace crafted from faceted beads of cut rock crystal, varying in size and clarity, and Russian silver kopecks. These are small coins known as 'teardrops' or 'wire coins' due to their distinctive shape. Some coins were left flat, with specially made perforations allowing them to be strung onto a cord.
The central accent of the composition is an ancient, three-edged Scythian bronze arrowhead, dated to approximately the 7th–6th century BC. In the 17th century, it was set in silver and fitted with a loop for suspension. Its presence indicates that certain finds were perceived as extraordinary objects endowed with special significance, regardless of any lack of knowledge about their origin and function. Undoubtedly, the creator of the necklace had no knowledge of ancient Scythians or their weaponry.
An immense rarity on the collector's market! A great treat for enthusiasts of the culture and traditions of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth!
Cup, silver, Poland (?), 17th-18th century
A cup made of forged silver, likely intended for drinking vodka or other spirits. The vessel has a squat form. The bowl with a semicircular bottom has straight walls, slightly flared upward. The rim is straight, slightly tilted outward and clearly separated from the wall section by a row of concave dots. The bowl has a five-part form – both the rim edge and the walls are divided into five convex segments, separated by vertical fluting. The vessel is set on a low, conical foot and fitted with a flat, S-curved handle. The surface of the bowl is decorated with engraved floral motifs and rocaille ornament.
Similar cups are characteristic of 18th-century Russian silverwork. As a rule, however, they are hallmarked. Our specimen bears no marks, although it undoubtedly came from a fine silversmith's workshop. It is possible that the cup described was made in the 17th century and not in Muscovy at all, but in the east of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This would explain the absence of hallmarks, which is quite normal for Polish silver from that period. At the same time, it should be remembered that the origin of the popular Russian cups is unknown.