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.
Graham Deakin Antiques
Mother and Baby Garden Sculpture
£ 220
Graham Deakin Antiques
Limestone Female Sculpture in the Style of Eric Gill
POA
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Silver Sculpture of a Dog by A.E. Jones
£ 720
£ 895
Alain Michel Antiques
Auguste Moreau The Child with The Hen - 19th Century Paris Gold Medal
€ 2,800
Auguste Moreau The Child with The Hen - 19th Century Paris Gold Medal
€ 2,800
Alain Michel Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Japanese Carved Bone Okimono Carved Figure of the Seated Buddha
£ 595
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Salon Des Beaux Arts, Paris - A Patinated Bronze Figure of a Hound
£ 495
Salon Des Beaux Arts, Paris - A Patinated Bronze Figure of a Hound
£ 495
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Max Le Verrier - Art Deco Spelter Galloping Horse c.1930
£ 2,750
Max Le Verrier - Art Deco Spelter Galloping Horse c.1930
£ 2,750
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Paul Thomas - 'Lion Aux Aguets' - Large Patinated Bronze Lion
£ 2,750
Paul Thomas - 'Lion Aux Aguets' - Large Patinated Bronze Lion
£ 2,750
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Paul Aichele - A Large Patinated Bronze Figure of a Nude
£ 2,750
Paul Aichele - A Large Patinated Bronze Figure of a Nude
£ 2,750
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
A.Tchernochtchekov - Pair of Russian Patinated Bronze Racehorse's
£ 4,950
A.Tchernochtchekov - Pair of Russian Patinated Bronze Racehorse's
£ 4,950
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Robert Belcher Antiques
Black Forest Walnut Hand Carved William Tell and His Son
£ 1,050
Robert Belcher Antiques
Equestrian Specimen Carved Marble Study of Stallion & Mare
£ 765
Prometheus Antiques
Black Forest Carved Wood Inkwell in the Form of a Cat
£ 295
London City Antiques
Unusual Antique Edwardian Quality Silver Plated Cruet Set
£ 685
Koos Limburg Jnr
Very Interesting Carved Fruitwood Sleeping Child Attributed to Laurent Delvaux Gand 1696 - Nivelles 1778
£ 4,850
Very Interesting Carved Fruitwood Sleeping Child Attributed to Laurent Delvaux Gand 1696 - Nivelles 1778
£ 4,850
Koos Limburg Jnr
Koos Limburg Jnr
Very Decorative Carved Reliefs / Sculpture of Man & Woman c.1540
£ 2,750
Antiques & Chic
Plaster Bust of Greek God
£ 275
Harper Baxter
Carved Indian Soldier Statue 19th Century Polychrome
£ 2,250
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
Graham Deakin Antiques
Liberty Leather Elephant
£ 225
£ 295
Cloverleaf Home Interiors
Carved Corpus Christi 18th Century Figure c.1750
£ 385
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Patinated Verdigris Bronze Race Horse & Jockey Group with Stable Hands Sculpture
£ 5,000
Patinated Verdigris Bronze Race Horse & Jockey Group with Stable Hands Sculpture
£ 5,000
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Vintage Clocks
Wonderful Urn Clock Garnitures – ca 1900
£ 150
£ 200
Vintage Clocks
Lovely Farmer Figural Clock Garnitures – ca 1900
£ 150
£ 450
Gorgeous French Art Deco Marble & Alsatian Dog Figural Mantel Clock – Ca1940
£ 450
Vintage Clocks
Wick Antiques Ltd
Bronze Equestrian Portrait of Queen Victoria by Thornycroft
£ 12,500
Robert Belcher Antiques
Decorative Pair of Cast Iron Chinese Foo Dogs - French c.1900
£ 975
Robert Belcher Antiques
A Rare Chinese Cloisonné and Carved Hardstone Prunus Bonsai Tree
£ 895
A Rare Chinese Cloisonné and Carved Hardstone Prunus Bonsai Tree
£ 895
Robert Belcher Antiques
£ 995
Fabulous French Art Deco Marble & Retriever Dog Figural Mantel Clock Set – Ca1920
£ 995
Vintage Clocks
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Art Deco Bronze Dog Sculpture by Rene Varnier
£ 975
London City Antiques
Spectacular Pair of Large Antique Quality Orientalist Polychromed Plaster Arabesque or Moorish Figures
£ 4,850
Spectacular Pair of Large Antique Quality Orientalist Polychromed Plaster Arabesque or Moorish Figures
£ 4,850
London City Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Bronze Sculpture by Spanish Artist Eleuterio Blasco Ferrer
£ 2,250
Vintage Bronze Sculpture by Spanish Artist Eleuterio Blasco Ferrer
£ 2,250
Marylebone Antiques
Graham Deakin Antiques
19th Century Carved Granite Panel of Battle Scene
£ 225
Elmgarden
French Fireside Hunting Dog Statue
£ 300
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
19th Century Carved Meerschaum Smoking Pipe Hand Holding Skull
£ 1,000
19th Century Carved Meerschaum Smoking Pipe Hand Holding Skull
£ 1,000
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
London City Antiques
Unusual Antique Victorian Quality Lead Satyr Musician
£ 3,450
Vintage House
African Carved Ebony Figure of Mother & Child
£ 95
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.