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.
Burgett Langfield
Large French Art Deco Sculpture of Stag Set on Marble & Onyx Base
£ 995
Elmgarden
Large Black Forest Carved Eagle
£ 8,000
Alain Michel Antiques
Virgin & Child in Walnut - 17th Century From France
€ 2,400
£ 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
London City Antiques
Unusual Pair of Antique Victorian Quality Carved Oak Figures
£ 685
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Large Art Nouveau Copper Crane Bird Oval Wall Sculpture Plaque
£ 750
Large Art Nouveau Copper Crane Bird Oval Wall Sculpture Plaque
£ 750
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Booth Antiques
Good Quality Silver Pheasant Figure
£ 125
Antique & Modern Living
Bronze by Eugène Désiré Piron (French, 1875-1928)
£ 725
£ 985
Antique Guardian Lion Figure, Chinese, Bronze Ornament, Buddhist Icon c.1880
£ 985
London Fine Ltd
Robert Pagden Antiques
Vintage Christmas Santa Claus Advertising Shop Figure
£ 295
Matthew Coles Antiques
Superb Bronze Lion on Marble Base
£ 750
Country House and Eastern Interiors
Copper Alloy Figure of Standing Buddha - Java 10th-12th Century
£ 1,750
Copper Alloy Figure of Standing Buddha - Java 10th-12th Century
£ 1,750
Country House and Eastern Interiors
Elmgarden
Black Labrador Puppy Door Stop
£ 350
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
Country House and Eastern Interiors
Museum Javanese Gold Gilded Standing Dewi Tara Statuette
£ 1,995
Museum Javanese Gold Gilded Standing Dewi Tara Statuette
£ 1,995
Country House and Eastern Interiors
Georgian Antiques
Marble Bust of a Lady
£ 1,250
Carradale Farm Antiques Ltd
Very Large Bronze Napoleon on Horseback - French c.1870
£ 2,800
London City Antiques
Superb Quality Antique Victorian Alabaster Bust
£ 1,650
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
Church Street Antiques
19th Century Chinese Root Wood Carving
£ 1,350
Country House and Eastern Interiors
Large Chinese Red & Gilt Lacquered Wood Figure of Guanyin Buddha (Qing Dynasty 1644-1911)
£ 1,450
Large Chinese Red & Gilt Lacquered Wood Figure of Guanyin Buddha (Qing Dynasty 1644-1911)
£ 1,450
Country House and Eastern Interiors
Martlesham Antiques
Early 20th Century Black Forest Wild Boars Head
£ 2,550
Robert Belcher Antiques
Pair of 19th Century Mansion House Dwarfs
£ 895
Verdi Art & Antiques
Border Fine Arts. All Things Wise & Wonderful "Bob" & "Sweep"
£ 125
Country House and Eastern Interiors
Silver Alloy Figure of Vishnu - Java 12th / 13th Century
£ 1,795
Silver Alloy Figure of Vishnu - Java 12th / 13th Century
£ 1,795
Country House and Eastern Interiors
Verdi Art & Antiques
Border Fine Arts A0602 "Found Safe" by Kirsty Armstrong
£ 75
£ 3,800
Wick Antiques Ltd
Victorian Carved Oak Royal Coat of Arms
£ 8,800
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Unusual Italian & Attractive Papier Mache Horse Head
£ 445
Robert Belcher Antiques
Early 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Maple Wood Carved Inuit Figure Group
£ 685
Early 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Maple Wood Carved Inuit Figure Group
£ 685
Robert Belcher Antiques
Digby Antiques (Wiltshire)
Miniature Cold Painted Austrian Bronze Horse with Rider
£ 130
Vintage House
Old Oriental Bronze Seated Monk Figurine
£ 110
Campbell Vintage
Terracotta Sculpture Of Female Form By Sophie Howard
£ 580
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
Lambert & Co.
Inuit Soapstone Carving of a Seal Hunter
£ 80
Sovereign Antiques
Grand Tour Marble Figure c.1750
£ 7,000
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.