Blue Ceramic Cross with Circular Embellishments, Unique Religious Collectible

This mid-century modern ceramic cross is a great example of post-war European studio pottery, an art form that embraced both functional and abstract aesthetic principles. The handcra...

This mid-century modern ceramic cross is a notable piece of religious art that carries the symbolic weight of its imagery through the medium of studio pottery. Handcrafted by Europea...

Crafted by Flemish artisans, this midcentury religious cross has a burgundy glossy glaze and sinewy Christ figure at its center. Rendered in fluid lines, the interplay of these with ...

A ceramic midcentury Euroepan Virgin Mary and Christ Child wall art in off-white and terra cotta red clay hues. The expressive faces of the mother and child are carved in hollow reli...

This mid-century modern ceramic crucifix, handcrafted by a European studio pottery artist, embodies the era's distinctive combination of traditional symbolism and modernist design. T...

A red-orange, glossy ceramic, midcentury European cross. Our large collection of European ceramic crosses consist of an array of handcrafted crosses, each demonstrating the skilled...

EXCEPTIONAL RED CROSS BANNER WITH WHIMSICAL LETTERING AND A TERRIFIC SLOGAN, WWI (U.S. INVOLVEMENT 1917-18), ONE OF APPROXIMATELY THREE EXAMPLES PRESENTLY IDENTIFIED EXCEPTIONAL RED CROSS BANNER WITH WHIMSICAL LETTERING AND A TERRIFIC SLOGAN, WWI (U.S. INVOLVEMENT 1917-18), ONE OF APPROXIMATELY THREE EXAMPLES PRESENTLY IDENTIFIED Web ID: pat-742 Available: In Stock Frame Size (H x L): 34.5" x 48.75" Flag Size (H x L): 21.75" x 36" Description: Made during the First World War, this extraordinary banner of the American Red Cross, printed on plain weave cotton, is a gem among surviving textiles commissioned for the organization. Even though it wasn't exactly produced as such, the banner is a fantastic piece of American folk art, with the combination of words, and visual impact forcing it soundly into this category. Some years ago, I acquired one of the very same type. At that point in time, I had not before seen its equal. Bowled over by the exceptional graphics in its varied styles of lettering—more like what you see during the 19th century than the 20th, I could find nothing of similar quality in my associated research. In fact, there was barely anything vintage or antique with imagery much beyond the generic scarlet cross on a white ground. The verbiage is undeniably great: "The Red Cross Needs You; Join Now; Be Patriotic--Be Humane." Today I know of one other, in addition to this example and the one I sold previously, for a total of three. I have also seen a variation on the basic design, not as dynamic but similar, reproduced for the television series “Gilded Age.” Displayed behind the actress who plays Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross, it has the same text at the top and in the middle, though the fonts are not quite as strong, but along the bottom, the slogan “Be Patriotic--Be Humane” is replaced by “Answer the Call.” The first example of this banner that I acquired a fine, blue, hand-sewn binding around the perimeter, and 4 sets of long, red, cotton ties, hand-sewn to the top edge and distributed along it. Because these were so incredibly graphic in their own right, and what they collectively added to the presentation of a banner that looks way more like 19th century printed advertising than something from the 20th, I elected to up the ante, if you will, seeking out red and blue, antique cotton...

This is a striking 38-star American flag. The flag dates to 1876-1890, when Colorado (represented by the large star in the center of the flag’s canton) joined the Union as the 38th s...

Unique carved Folk Art panel, dated 1768, depicting a double portrait of mythological kings, whimsically portrayed in miniature stature with protruding beards and chests, from an 18t...

A round ceramic commemorative plate of President Dwight Eisenhower. The plate is circular, with gold detail around the edges, and a portrait of Presi...

Antique American Flag With 36 Stars On A Cornflower Blue Canton, Civil War Era, 1864-1867, Reflects The Addition Of Nevada As The 36th State; A Great Folk Exaple With Haphazard Rows Of Starfish-like Stars: 36 star American national flag of the Civil War era with outstanding collector traits. Haphazard rows of fat, starfish-shaped stars fill most of the confines of a brilliant, cornflower blue canton. Note the crude piecing of the thirteen, red and white stripes, joined in an ill-planned manner that results in great variation in width, as well as general irregularity. The 4th red stripe actually falls slightly below the canton, and the height of each does not line up with the corresponding stripe on the reverse. This can clearly be seen at the fly end, which is is turned back and bound to repair obvious extended use in an outdoor environment. Clearly the maker lacked experience in seam work. Lining up the necessary components, so that they could be viewed on both sides, presented a challenge they may have not previously faced. This is also evident in the sewing of the stars, which do not line up on the obverse and reverse sides, as they typically would in a flag sewn by an experienced flag-maker. That said, this is just this kind of homemade charm that fuels interest in early American flags...

A black and white photograph in a wooden frame from 1940s Italy, depicting a parade or official gathering. The photograph would have been taken during the years of the Mussolini dict...