Artfixdaily Blog Network

Australian aborigines called it the "stone of light" and the Celts believed its prismatic properties linked it to the sun. Even the fortuneteller's rudimentary crystal ball was originally crafted of the mysteriously alluring mineral we refer to today as rock crystal. Rock crystal, or clear quartz, has been revered by nearly every ancient culture in history. It's clear, ice-like appearance, enhanced by light refracting fissures gave the mineral an air of mystique that carried on well into the Renaissance. The mineral's innate beauty piqued the interest of 14th-century European royals and ...

There was a time when no amusement park or playground was complete without a carousel ride. Children and even adults could take pleasure in a whimsical ride atop an array of horses and other fanciful creatures carved by the most skilled artisans of the day. Though quality examples of these nostalgic masterpieces come few and far between on the market, that doesn't seem to deter the demand for these magnificent figures. The carousel reached its golden age in early 20th-century America, and lasted until the Great Depression of 1929. This roughly 25-year period saw the creation of carousel ...

One of the missions of M.S. Rau Antiques is to seek out and provide our clients with the absolute finest antiques, works of art and jewelry...something we like to call The Best of The Best. To come across pieces that embody the key elements of beauty, rarity and history is what really excites us. This opulent Royal Commode by Henry Dasson is just such an antique. In terms of rarity and history, it is distinguished by not just one, but two of the most important craftsmen, or ébénistes, to have ever lived. The great Henry Dasson based its design on a pair of commodes André Charles ...

When King Louis XV took an interest in porcelain and became a primary shareholder of what would become the Sèvres factory in 1752, he intended to catapult the international status of French porcelain to the finest in the world. It's believed that his motivation came from his famed mistress, Madame de Pompadour, who possessed a penchant for the factory's creations. Regardless of the reason, it is the royal roots of Sèvres that provided the foundation for some of the most coveted porcelain ever made. After the King purchased the factory in 1759, he had the operations moved from Chateau de ...

One of the most fascinating aspects of collecting antiques is the story each piece has to tell. Each and every antique and work of art in our 30,000 square-foot French Quarter gallery embodies a moment in history that makes it beyond compare. This breathtaking billiard table is certainly no exception. Known as the "History of Australia" Billiard Table, this award-winning, hand-carved masterpiece with a matching score board has it all: royal provenance, peerless craftsmanship and an impressive international exhibition history to boot. Carved from Australian blackwood by renowned carver ...

Few figures in Modern history evoke images of leadership, integrity and political prowess as does Winston Churchill.  His iconic speeches and steadfast direction during World War II galvanized the Allied forces in Britain and abroad. Few people realized that, though he was most revered for his rolls as statesman, orator, historian, politician and writer, Churchill was also an accomplished artist. M.S. Rau is honored to have two of his historically significant works currently in our Fine Art collection: The Tower of Katoubia Mosque, created and given by Churchill to President Franklin Delano ...

When was the last time you went outside on a clear night for the sole purpose of looking at the night sky?  I sometimes wonder about the level of amazement that must have gone through the minds of early man, observing comets, eclipses and moon phases with a surreal combination of awe and trepidation. These first “astronomers” used what they observed with the naked eye to explain everything from the changing seasons to their religious beliefs. But it wasn’t until the invention of the telescope that these observations made the giant leap from mere assumption to revolutionary truth. The first ...

The "taking of snuff" was a very social activity among Europe's upper class, beginning in the early 16th century. It's hard to believe a habit that caused frequent, and at times messy, sneezing fits would become so en vogue, but it did. And, with such widespread usage by seemingly every person of importance in the 16th century, the demand for a fashionable yet functional way to carry one's snuff inspired the greatest jewelers, enamellers, goldsmiths and silversmiths of the time to create what we know today as the snuffbox. It is said that Queens Anne and Charlotte enjoyed snuff so much, ...

As redundant as it sounds, interest in Renaissance art really is in the midst of a tremendous rebirth. Evolving discoveries coupled with the strong sales performance within the past few years has led to a resurgence in and renewed appreciation for collecting these centuries-old masterworks. To give you an idea of what I mean, Sotheby's has held six sales that comprised mainly of works by the "Old Masters" which brought in over $117 million in sales...and that's only since January! Within the past few weeks, several important Renaissance works have made headlines in the art world, including ...

Whether it's meant to tell you what to wear, what to eat or what to admire, images surround us in our media-rich society. But not that long ago, images served a much higher purpose. Images were a visual representation of the world and its principles of both order and morality. Various forms of ecclesiastical art immerged primarily to convey these principles to the masses, and the triptych was one of the first of these stunning art forms. Often referred to as the "traveling icon," the triptych, whether painted or carved, was a portable, convenient, and often times breathtaking work of art ...