Welcome to my store.

I am offering a part of the heritage of my family and other relatives, or even close ones, and there are many objects that have been in the same hands for several years.

No doubt when you receive this good you will enjoy it as much as others did in the past.
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BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE 19TH CENTURY LIMESTONE 
BAS-RELIEF PETRIFYING FOUNTAINS OF SAINT-NECTAIRE PLAQUE, 'THE RETURN OF THE SHEEP', WOOD FRAMED. 

Very Good - Circa 1880

Ideal gift for special occassions. A great item for painting collectors. In a rectangular shape, insert in a same format frame, a Rural Auvergne scene and delicate decor details, made in pure calcite (calcium carbonate) naturally filtered by local volcanic activity at 52°C. Original Wood Frame (the back cover was reconstructed around 1960). Received by inheritance. No original packaging.  

This piece dates from the second half of the 19th century (circa 1870–1890).

The hand-carved matrix used to create the molds for this pastoral scene was recorded in the late 19th century by local artisans associated with the Saint-Nectaire workshop.

The relief was made using gutta-percha molds placed under the local thermal-mineral springs of Saint-Nectaire. The water, extremely rich in calcium carbonate, slowly coated the mold with pure calcite crystals, creating a natural limestone sculpture.

This pastoral scene is officially titled "La rentrée des moutons" (The Return of the Sheep).

The scene depicts a typical 19th-century pastoral print from rural Auvergne. It was often based on designs by classical French engravers and sculptors or by artists associated with the region, such as C.F. Becker.

The scene shows on the left a woman carrying a jug on her head (a typical milk container of the time), another peasant woman next to her with a basket of poultry, and in the center a group of shepherds taking care of their flock of sheep and guard dogs, all against a mountainous background with the silhouette of a village and its church.

Measurement: 

Sculpture
Lenght: 4.1" (10.5 cm)
Height: 3.2" (8 cm) 

Wood Frame
Lenght: 5.5" (14.5 cm)
Height: 4.5" (11.5 cm)
Thickness: 1" (2.5 cm) 

Weight: 7.4 oz (210 g)


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IMPORTANT: I offer combined shipping. Many of my items have free shipping if send together, and for the rest, shipping will be 50% or less of the cost indicated for each item if shipped together (large items are send individually only). 

How to get the best combined shipping?

When you add the different items you want to your cart, to request an invoice, click the "Request total from seller" button on the right.

To pay, wait to receive the updated invoice with the combined shipping costs and then make your payment. I usually send the invoice within 12 hours or less, often within minutes (between 9 AM and 7 PM, GMT-3), even on holidays.

Regarding the offer, please read this information carefully:
 
The approved return refund will be limited to the sale price of the item at maximum. Shipping costs, insurance, import fees, tariffs or related costs outside of the sales price are the responsibility of the buyer.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for any inquiry about them.

Shipments are delivered in 3 to 7 business days. 

Thank you for the preference and trust!

Ref. #3893