Since Ancient times humans have moulded the materials around them to create 3D representations of the world that matters to them. From energetic animals and figures to far more serious Busts and abstractions, Sculpture offers probably the most engaging form of art. It is extremely tactile as well as created in the round, and this helps provides both a sense of physical weight and presence to the piece. It also allows light and shadow to envelope the item.
Throughout history there have been countless Masters of sculpture creating in materials as diverse as wood, stone, metal and resins. Of these the most respected today is Bronze and Marble. Bronze is essentially a mixture of copper and tin and has been in use for at least seven centuries.
In contrast items carved in wood or stone require the artist to carefully chip away at the piece until the form is created. Compared to Bronze these materials are whittled down slowly and methodically but can be just as prone to failure with a single misguided blow of the mallet. This is particularly true with Stonework where the craftsman needs to understand the natural striations in the rock to predict where the crack or fissure of each blow will occur.
Robert Belcher Antiques
Early 20th Century Chinese Cloisonne Dragon
£ 595
£ 245
London City Antiques
Antique 19th Century Chinese Root Carving
£ 995
Merchant House Antiques
Large Art Deco Spelter Group of 2 Seagulls
£ 245
Merchant House Antiques
Art Deco Spelter Sculpture of 2 Cranes
£ 245
Robert Belcher Antiques
Pair of Bronze Caricature Figures of Birds c.1880
£ 1,295
£ 1,795
Rams Head Antiques
Large Antique Chinese Carved Hardwood Buddha
£ 685
Antique & Modern Living
19th Century Black Forest Bear Stick Stand
£ 2,950
Henley Street Antiques
Chinese Wood Carving of Oxen or Water Buffalo
£ 150
Robert Belcher Antiques
French Late 19th Century Bronze Study of Prowling Lion
£ 395
Fincraigs Antiques
19th Century Bronze Bull
£ 650
Fincraigs Antiques
Antique 18th Century Fleur De Lis
£ 450
Antique & Modern Living
Bronze Figure by Ferdinand Barbedienne
£ 2,250
JMR Antiques Ltd
Classical Terracotta Bust
£ 695
Rams Head Antiques
Antique Carved Lacquered Buddha Indo-Chinese Deity
£ 585
£ 6,800
Plaster Military Trophy Panel from the Duke of Gordon’s House in Edinburgh
£ 6,800
Wick Antiques Ltd
London City Antiques
Antique 19th Century Outstanding Quality Bronze Dancing Maidens Statue Signed by Clodion
£ 5,550
Antique 19th Century Outstanding Quality Bronze Dancing Maidens Statue Signed by Clodion
£ 5,550
London City Antiques
£ 900
Large Bronze Sculpture of Lady Violin Player with Verdigris Patination
£ 900
Campbell Vintage
Campbell Vintage
Decorative Bird Hand Carved & Painted
£ 140
Campbell Vintage
Painted & Hand Carved Folk Art Bird
£ 140
Campbell Vintage
Hand Carved & Monochrome Painted Decorative Bird
£ 140
Campbell Vintage
Hand Carved & Painted Decorative Duck
£ 140
Campbell Vintage
Hand Carved & Painted Decorative Bird
£ 150
Campbell Vintage
Hand Carved & Decorated Bird Using Straw
£ 110
Campbell Vintage
Folk Art Decorative Bird Carved & Painted
£ 140
Campbell Vintage
Hand Carved & Painted Folk Art Decorative Bird
£ 145
Campbell Vintage
Hand Carved & Painted Folk Art Decorative Bird
£ 145
Campbell Vintage
Hand Carved & Painted Decorative Bird
£ 145
Campbell Vintage
Hand Carved & Painted Decorative Bird
£ 145
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
WW2 Winston Churchill V for Victory Bronze Car Mascot Sculpture
£ 2,500
WW2 Winston Churchill V for Victory Bronze Car Mascot Sculpture
£ 2,500
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Antique & Modern Living
Stunning Bronze by Joseph-Michel-Ange Pollet
£ 1,450
Antique & Modern Living
19th Century Austrian Cold Painted Bronze
£ 495
Alain Michel Antiques
Saint Anne & The Virgin Mary in Polychrome Wood - 18th Century
€ 2,300
Saint Anne & The Virgin Mary in Polychrome Wood - 18th Century
€ 2,300
Alain Michel Antiques
Antique & Modern Living
Finely Detailed 19th Century French Bronze Figure
£ 1,250
The Gentleman Terrier
Antique 19th Century Bronze Fallen Knight in Armour Figure
£ 68
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Bust of Guinevere
£ 1,750
Trade Antiques
Statue of a Saint Oak Height 20 Inch 1820
£ 485
The Gentleman Terrier
A 19th Century Gilt Brass Regency Gentleman Figure - Match Holder, Go-to-Bed
£ 120
A 19th Century Gilt Brass Regency Gentleman Figure - Match Holder, Go-to-Bed
£ 120
The Gentleman Terrier
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
19th Century Jeune Mere by August Moreau
£ 500
What are the 4 basic types of sculpture?
Sculptures are categorised into four basic types including moulded, cast, assembled, or carved. A typical moulded sculpture would be hand-cast with wax, clay, Papier-Mache, or plaster usually using a wooden mould. Antique cast sculptures were typically cast in Bronze, Brass or Spelter (a combination of zinc and lead). The model would first be carved and created from wax which was then encased in clay. The wax is melted off and the mould is then filled with the hot metal. Carved art is produced by cutting or chipping away a piece of stone, wood, or other solid material until the sculpture is created. Assembled sculptures involve combinations of different materials to create a three-dimensional style. Sculptures in glass are created by manipulating the molten glass into the shape desired or filling a mould with the glass.
Where to buy Bronze statues?
There are many places where you can buy Bronze Statues but when looking for genuine antique examples it is important to purchase them from reputable dealers like ours on LoveAntiques. This is because bronzes are still being produced new today so can easily be confused as being old if you don’t have the relevant skills to tell the difference. There are also sadly many fakes and copies out there usually of the more desirable makers and statues. These have been produced for many years so may have begun to acquire some of its own genuine patina (as well as the faux patina given to it when made). Most new bronzes are given a coat of patinating fluid which is brushed on and will darken the metal to a deep brown/black. There is no depth or variation to this finish but over time it will wear and soften. Therefore with a bit of skill it is possible to spot new from old bronzes, but a skilled professional will also give you the peace of mind necessary and point out the features which make their items genuine.
How to date antique statues?
Dating an antique statue will depending on several factors and sadly often years of experience. The main things to consider are the materials used and how it has aged, the overall artistic quality and detail of the piece, as well as how accurate the poses or details are. All materials and finishes age over time and understanding how the main material used ages will help a lot. Wood will not only crack but will also attract dust to give a unique look, paintwork will chip and details will wear if handled. The timber will also darken. Stone and marble left outdoors will weather in different depending on how soft it is, and metal will usually oxidize. Kept indoors these materials won't weather much but an accumulation of dust and particles in the atmosphere may darken the finish. Once you have ascertained the degree of aging then it is important to understand the fine details and attributes of that statue. Many modern statues tend not to be as detailed because they are more interested in creating movement and abstract forms, but also copies of older pieces will usually lack the necessary attention to detail because time is money. If you have an antique statue which you believe is old then it is a good idea to show it to a reputable dealer who should be able to confirm its age and authenticity.