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.
Collectaline
Raffaello Scali Painted Plaster Bust of a Child
£ 225
Youngs Antiques
Large 17th Century Carved St Andreas (Andrew)
£ 3,000
Wick Antiques Ltd
The Duke of Wellington After the Lawrence Gahagan Commission for Stratfield Saye, 1811
£ 6,800
The Duke of Wellington After the Lawrence Gahagan Commission for Stratfield Saye, 1811
£ 6,800
Wick Antiques Ltd
Jo Brayshaw
Bronze - The Water Carrier - Austrian c.1890
£ 395
Youngs Antiques
17th Century Carved Walnut Figure
£ 1,250
William Rand Antiques
Italian Carrara Marble Bust Of A Young Boy, Signed
£ 2,000
Collectaline
Lladro Gypsy with Brother Matte No 4800
£ 150
Carse Antiques
19th Century French Moreau Bronze Lady
£ 1,295
Youngs Antiques
Medieval Romanesque Limestone Fragment
£ 1,800
Sovereign Antiques
J Dauvergne Birds of Paradise Art Deco
£ 1,250
chapmanpugh modern antiques
Rare Table Lighter, Austrian Cold Painted Spelter Camel Group c.1930
£ 695
Rare Table Lighter, Austrian Cold Painted Spelter Camel Group c.1930
£ 695
chapmanpugh modern antiques
Sovereign Antiques
German Bronze Eagle World War 2 on Marble Base
£ 1,750
£ 12,500
Equestrian Statuette of the Duke of Wellington by Morel After Marochetti
£ 12,500
Wick Antiques Ltd
£ 1,650
Painted Plaster Herm Bust of the Duke of Wellington by George Gammon Adams
£ 1,650
Wick Antiques Ltd
Wick Antiques Ltd
Plaster Bust of a Victorian Gentleman by Boehm
£ 1,650
Carradale Farm Antiques Ltd
Mid 19th Century Large Unusual Carved Wooden Figure Group
£ 5,500
Mid 19th Century Large Unusual Carved Wooden Figure Group
£ 5,500
Carradale Farm Antiques Ltd
Mark Stacey Antiques & Decorative
Vintage Glass Head
£ 69
Wick Antiques Ltd
Plaster Bust of a Victorian Gentleman by Boehm
£ 1,650
Fontaine Decorative
Museum Type Composite Bust of Ancient Greek
£ 495
Fontaine Decorative
Composition Phreonology Bust
£ 495
Collectaline
David Sharp Large Pottery Mountain Goat
£ 125
Fontaine Decorative
Classical Greek Spelter Desk Bust of Ajax on a Verde Antico Marble Base
£ 165
Classical Greek Spelter Desk Bust of Ajax on a Verde Antico Marble Base
£ 165
Fontaine Decorative
Fontaine Decorative
Bronze Recumbent Greyhound Dog on Rectangular Base
£ 245
Fontaine Decorative
Pair of Miniature Spelter Busts
£ 280
Antique & Modern Living
19th Century French Bronze Figure of a Boatman
£ 1,250
Collectaline
Beswick Kitten Seated White No 1436 1950's
£ 30
Fontaine Decorative
Grand Tour Type Silvered Metal Library Sculpture
£ 325
Fontaine Decorative
Rectangular Pietra Dura Plaque Inlaid
£ 280
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
19th Century Oriental Root Carving
£ 175
Cheshire Antiques Consultant
Art Deco Bronze Diana Goddess Signed R Henn
£ 2,000
Cheshire Antiques Consultant
Victorian 19th Century Cast Iron Queen Victoria Plaque
£ 750
Antique & Modern Living
Early 20th Century Black Forest Carved Parrot
£ 795
Mark Stacey Antiques & Decorative
Anglo Indian Brass Cockerel
£ 59
Loveday Antiques
Fine Italian Early 19th Century Marble Group of Bacchus & Ariadne After the Antique, Attributed to Carlo Albacini c.1800
£ 48,000
Fine Italian Early 19th Century Marble Group of Bacchus & Ariadne After the Antique, Attributed to Carlo Albacini c.1800
£ 48,000
Loveday Antiques
Those Were The Days
Duke of Wellington
£ 175
Those Were The Days
Fine Historical Figure of Nelson
£ 175
Planet Antiques
Medium Size Leather Elephant
£ 135
£ 80
£ 3,950
Tommy's Treasure
French Painted Plaster Virgin Mary Figure Corneille Toulouse
£ 85
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.