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Egyptian Faience: The Glimmering Ceramics of Antiquity 

Invaluable

One of the most treasured objects held by New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is also one of its smallest. This luxurious luster comes from the technique of faience, a clever invention of ancient Egyptian artists using natural materials to give a glossy opulence across a wide variety of objects. Late to Ptolemaic Period, Ca.

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Art and Science Collide: The Beauty of Scientific Instruments Through the Ages

Invaluable

Sold for £80,000 via Bonhams (April 2024). Produced with a dedicated level of craftsmanship, these complicated instruments were often highly decorated to ensure their scientific insight was matched by their delicate beauty. Sold for £400,000 via Bonhams (April 2024).

Age 77
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French Provincial Furniture: Classic Elegance for Modern Interiors

Invaluable

Although it was originally envisioned for rural abodes, it’s a style of decoration that can work seamlessly when paired with contemporary, urban interiors, with a number of versatile and timeless styles. French provincial pieces were fashioned out of locally sourced materials – namely wood, which included oak, walnut, cherry and mahogany.

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Architectural Evolution: A Journey through European Architecture by Era

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From the grandeur of the Renaissance to the flowing, organic lines of Art Nouveau of the early 20 th century, European architecture has not only witnessed the evolution of styles, techniques, and cultural influences in mansions and palaces across the continent, but also shaped approaches to town planning that are still evident today.

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Mesoamerican Marvels: Art and Architecture of the Aztec and Mayan Civilizations 

Invaluable

Mayan Art Mexico/Guatemala, Engraved Jade Pectoral Plaque of a Richly Adorned Lord. Mayan art was heavily influenced by the culture’s deep ties to cosmology and nature, as they believed they were borne from the earth itself. Aztec Art The artists of the Aztec empire worked in many of the same media as the Mayans.

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Gilded Age Architecture and Art: A Journey Through America’s Opulent Era

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Correspondingly, this rise in wealth was reflected in both the art and architecture of the era, as patrons aimed to create increasingly lavish works of art and environments to reflect both their affluence and the magnificence of the age. America’s leading art academies also experienced growth and renewal.

Age 83
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Gilded Age Architecture and Art: A Journey Through America’s Opulent Era

Invaluable

Correspondingly, this rise in wealth was reflected in both the art and architecture of the era, as patrons aimed to create increasingly lavish works of art and environments to reflect both their affluence and the magnificence of the age. America’s leading art academies also experienced growth and renewal.

Age 53