5 of the Oldest Artworks that you can Buy Online

Jolien Klitsie, Content & Marketing Gallerease
Jolien Klitsie
Content & Marketing
55 Articles

It might seem strange to buy something online that's over three centuries (!) old, but it is possible! These are a selection of 5 really antique artworks available on Gallerease, obviously placed in a descending order to keep things exciting:


1. Early 18th-century Silver Filigree Casket


Filigree casket, 1700, silver, 8 x 15 x 9 cm
Filigree casket, 1700, silver, 8 x 15 x 9 cm.


Silver filigree from the east became very popular in Europe during the 17th century. This particular example originally hails from India, possibly the Goa or Karimnagar region, and was most likely imported into Amsterdam by the Dutch East India Company.

2. Early 17th-century Russian Icon


Russian Icon depicting the Archangel Gabriel, 1600, oil on panel, 94 x 61 cm.
Russian Icon depicting the Archangel Gabriel, 1600, oil on panel, 94 x 61 cm.


Russian Icons have a lengthy and fascinating history. This icon depicts the Archangel Gabriel, holding a discus with XC (the initials of Christ), in a style that's typical of Moscow icons.

3. A 16th-century Flemish masterpiece


Martin van Cleve, Adoration of the Child Jesus, 1425, tempera on wood, 90 x 48 cm.
Martin van Cleve, Adoration of the Child Jesus, 1425, tempera on wood, 90 x 48 cm.


Martin van Cleve was an Antwerp based painter, well-known for his genre scenes depicting peasants in the countryside, as Karel van Mander's famous Schilderboeck denotes.

4. An early 15th century First Issue map of Northern and Central Europe


Michael Wolgemut, Map of Northern and Central Europe - Hartmann Schedels Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493, ink on paper, 38 x 57 cm
Michael Wolgemut, Map of Northern and Central Europe - Hartmann Schedels Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493, ink on paper, 38 x 57 cm.


This first issue was made using a woodcut by Michael Wolgemut, after a design by Hieronymus Münzer (1437-1508) for Hartmann Schedel’s Nuremberg Chronicle that was published in 1493. This was the first secular book that included lavish illustrations, something which had previously been strictly reserved for Biblical and liturgical works.

5. Drumrolls please... an ancient coin from Athens!


AR Tetradrachm Attica, Athens, 440-420 BC AR Tetradrachm Attica, Athens, 440-420 BC
AR Tetradrachm Attica, Athens, 440-420 BC.


This silver coin shows the profile of Athena, with an owl and AΘE on its reverse side. The inscription is an abbreviation of ΑΘΗΝΑΙΩΝ, which simply translates into "of the Athenians". Drachma was the currency used in ancient Greece, the "Tetradrachm" was worth 4 drachmae.

For more ancient artworks please have a look at Gallerease!

Header image: Barby Dalbosco.


Written by Jolien Klitsie on 23 Apr 2018, 09:00 Category Highlights from the CollectionTagged Buying Art
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