To produce a really competent 3D representation of something is extremely hard. Not only does the artist need to understand the unique bone and muscle structures of the animal as is moves and rests, but also needs to capture the true character and essence of the creature at that moment in time. On top of this common features such as fur, feathers and markings need to be simplified to suggest merely their presence as such detail would otherwise become overwhelming.
Because animals have played a central role in human experience there are plenty of famous animal sculptures as diverse as the Sphinx in Egypt to the bronze bull at Wall Street. But while these may win our affections from their scale and physical presence, sometimes even tiny handheld animal sculptures can win our hearts just as much for their fragility and attention to detail. Indeed, to produce a peaceful curled up cat the size of a coin is far harder than creating it in full size. We have some great 20th Century examples where this is the case.
Whether made of Bronze, stone, wood or something else, at LoveAntiques our knowledgeable dealers understand what makes the difference between a good animal sculpture and a great one.
FB Antiques
Carved Wood Giraffe
£ 375
Rams Head Antiques
Fabulous Gilt Bronze Elephant Candelabra Centrepiece
£ 485
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Henri Lechesne Spelter Seagulls Sculpture
£ 1,220
Story Antique Clocks
French Bronze Sculpture " Drinking Panther" By Clovis Masson
£ 2,000
Burgett Langfield
Large French Art Deco Sculpture of Stag Set on Marble & Onyx Base
£ 995
£ 2,450
Large Antique Marly Horse Figure, French, Equine Statue, Bronze c.1880
£ 2,450
London Fine Ltd
Sovereign Antiques
Fine Pair of Gilt Bronze Models of The Marley Horses
£ 5,950
Whites Antiques
Large 19th Century Rhino Hand Carved from Solid Ebony
£ 575
Robert Belcher Antiques
Large Pair of Indian Teak Raj Period Elephants c.1880
£ 1,650
£ 985
Antique Guardian Lion Figure, Chinese, Bronze Ornament, Buddhist Icon c.1880
£ 985
London Fine Ltd
Matthew Coles Antiques
Superb Bronze Lion on Marble Base
£ 750
Elmgarden
Black Labrador Puppy Door Stop
£ 350
Carradale Farm Antiques Ltd
Very Large Bronze Napoleon on Horseback - French c.1870
£ 2,800
Robert Belcher Antiques
19th Century Bronze Study of Egptian Man & Mule by A E Dubucan, French
£ 2,150
19th Century Bronze Study of Egptian Man & Mule by A E Dubucan, French
£ 2,150
Robert Belcher Antiques
Martlesham Antiques
Early 20th Century Black Forest Wild Boars Head
£ 2,550
Verdi Art & Antiques
Border Fine Arts. All Things Wise & Wonderful "Bob" & "Sweep"
£ 125
Verdi Art & Antiques
Border Fine Arts A0602 "Found Safe" by Kirsty Armstrong
£ 75
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Unusual Italian & Attractive Papier Mache Horse Head
£ 445
Digby Antiques (Wiltshire)
Miniature Cold Painted Austrian Bronze Horse with Rider
£ 130
London City Antiques
Large Antique 19th Century Quality Carved Black Forest Bear
£ 1,050
London City Antiques
Large Antique 19th Century Quality Carved Black Forest Bear
£ 1,050
Robert Belcher Antiques
Large Sculpture in Glazed Pottery Pair of Young Owls
£ 1,250
Wick Antiques Ltd
A Black Forest’ Linden Wood Model of a Standing Bull
£ 2,850
Wick Antiques Ltd
A Superb Three Quarter Life Size Bronze Tiger
£ 32,500
Vintage House
Vintage Indonesian Large Red Wooden Cat Ornament
£ 85
Rees Antiques
Carved Wooden Bird on an Antique Stand
£ 175
£ 985
Antique Carved Lion Figure, English, Giltwood, Decorative Ornament, Mid Georgian
£ 985
London Fine Ltd
Millers Antiques
Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Elephant 23cm
£ 950
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Superb Bronze Spaniel Wall Plaque
£ 440
Rettendon Antiques
20th Century Sheep Dog & Puppy
£ 175
RegencySilver Antiques
Superb Vintage Silver Plated Goat Figurine Statue Model Mid-Century
£ 320
Superb Vintage Silver Plated Goat Figurine Statue Model Mid-Century
£ 320
RegencySilver Antiques
£ 995
Prometheus Antiques
Unusual Cold Painted Spelter Nodding Dog
£ 250
Robert Belcher Antiques
Pair of 19th Century French Bronze Marly Horses After Coustou
£ 2,950
Pair of 19th Century French Bronze Marly Horses After Coustou
£ 2,950
Robert Belcher Antiques
Digby Antiques (Wiltshire)
Austrian Cold Painted Bronze of Terrier
£ 265
Robert Belcher Antiques
Pair of Fine Black Forest Hand Carved Wood Bears c.1900
£ 795
Robert Belcher Antiques
A Pair of Hand Sculpted Figures, the Lion and the Unicorn
£ 950
Beresford Antiques Ltd
C19th Large Cast Iron Doorstop
£ 125
£ 325
Antique Staffordshire Pottery - Walton - Pearlware Sheep & Lamb Spillholder
£ 325
Rams Head Antiques
Rams Head Antiques
Antique Staffordshire Pottery - Walton - Pearlware Sheep & Lamb Figure
£ 285
Antique Staffordshire Pottery - Walton - Pearlware Sheep & Lamb Figure
£ 285
Rams Head Antiques