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.
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
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
19th Century Combat De Coqs by August Moreau
£ 500
Whites Antiques
Marble Bust Extraordinary Weathering & Patination - 1800
£ 1,320
£ 1,760
Whites Antiques
Art Deco Silvered Bronze Boules Player Emile Grégoire
£ 725
Walton House Antiques Ltd
19th Century 'Grand Tour' Bloodstone Desk Paperweight
£ 385
Kernow Furniture
Pair of Indian Temple Figures
£ 1,395
Sovereign Antiques
German Soldier of the 2ww
£ 395
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Mother Otter with Pup Stone Garden Ornament
£ 600
Antique & Modern Living
Bronze a Figure of Bacchus Copied from Pompeian Original
£ 2,800
Antique & Modern Living
A French Bronze Figure of a Prisoner
£ 1,650
Digby Antiques (Wiltshire)
Austrian Cold Painted Bronze Grouse
£ 198
£ 495
Antique Dog Figure, English, Nickelled Iron, Pointer, Hound Ornament, Edwardian
£ 495
London Fine Ltd
£ 65
£ 75
Rams Head Antiques
Stylish Pair of Chinese Bronzed Deer
£ 495
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
Bronze Sculpture with Golden Decor of Naked Women on Marbel Base Titled 'Libelula' by Jose Manuel
£ 795
Bronze Sculpture with Golden Decor of Naked Women on Marbel Base Titled 'Libelula' by Jose Manuel
£ 795
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
£ 90
Treehouse Antiques
19th Century Bronze of Danaides
£ 575
The Gentleman Terrier
A Super Antique Terrier Dog Card or Letter Holder, Gilt Cast Metal, 19th Century
£ 95
A Super Antique Terrier Dog Card or Letter Holder, Gilt Cast Metal, 19th Century
£ 95
The Gentleman Terrier
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
A 17th Century Hand Carved Oak Putti Wall Shelf
£ 1,250
artsncraftsfurniture
Pair of Decorative Busts / Figures
£ 25
£ 7,500
Draft Horse, A Powerful Bronze Sculpture In the Style of Renee Sintenis 1888-1965
£ 7,500
Koos Limburg Jnr
Whites Antiques
Mirror Pair of Carved Hardwood Water Buffalo
£ 530
Philip Allison Antiques and Decorative Arts
Yorkshire Critters Carved Oak Figure of a Majestic Cow
£ 350
Yorkshire Critters Carved Oak Figure of a Majestic Cow
£ 350
Philip Allison Antiques and Decorative Arts
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
19th Century Gilded Bronze Georgian Aristocrat Riding Horse
£ 650
19th Century Gilded Bronze Georgian Aristocrat Riding Horse
£ 650
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Beresford Antiques Ltd
Vintage Leather Model of Deer - Possibly Libertys
£ 495
Antique & Modern Living
Small Black Forest Carved Bear
£ 395
Treehouse Antiques
Franze Bergman Bronze English Bulldog
£ 425
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Bronze Figure
£ 575
Antique & Modern Living
19th Century Carrara Marble Bust of John Milton (Poet)
Rams Head Antiques
Chinese Bronze Warrior on Horseback
£ 495
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
French Chrome Androgynous Face Mask on Stand
£ 400
Antique & Modern Living
Charming Bronze Figure by Antoine Bofill (1875-1925)
£ 1,475
Treehouse Antiques
Antique Bronze Model of Terrier
£ 165
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Late 19th Century Goldscheider Terracotta Boy Sitting
£ 1,500
Late 19th Century Goldscheider Terracotta Boy Sitting
£ 1,500
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
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.