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.
JMR Antiques Ltd
Huge Plaster Bust of Hercules
£ 1,695
Marylebone Antiques
Antique French Bronze Sculpture
£ 1,650
JMR Antiques Ltd
Early 20th Century Plaster Bust of Laocoon
£ 1,495
JMR Antiques Ltd
Early 20th Century Plaster Bust of Diana
£ 1,495
JMR Antiques Ltd
Early 20th Century Plaster Bust of Cesar
£ 1,495
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Ebano Vidal Eagle Bronze Sculpture with Crystals / Gemstones
£ 995
Ebano Vidal Eagle Bronze Sculpture with Crystals / Gemstones
£ 995
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
£ 225
Art & Stuff
Antique Cold Painted Bronze Collie Dog
£ 225
Town House Traders Ltd
Inuit Carved Serpentine Sculpture Figure by Ohito Ashoona
£ 250
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Mother Otter with Pup Stone Garden Ornament
£ 600
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Superb Example of Art Deco Sacred Heart of Jesus Bust
£ 170
London City Antiques
Quality Pair of Antique Victorian Bronze Storks / Cranes
£ 1,150
Elite Antiques
Rare Murano Glass Penguins
£ 75
Robert Belcher Antiques
A Chinese Hand Carved Hardstone Agate Figure Group
£ 1,395
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
19th Century Hardwood Chinese Deity Zhong Kui Sculpture
£ 175
19th Century Hardwood Chinese Deity Zhong Kui Sculpture
£ 175
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Elephant Fighting Tigers
£ 1,250
Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Elephant Fighting Tigers
£ 1,250
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
London City Antiques
Collection of Unusual Antique Victorian Staffordshire Dogs
£ 650
Trade Antiques
Large Black Forest Bear with Glass Eyes 1900-1920
£ 1,650
Kernow Furniture
Large Carved Weeping Buddha
£ 195
Robert Belcher Antiques
Japanese Meiji Period Carved Hardwood Prowling Tiger
£ 465
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
19th Century Pugin Design Carved Tiger Oak Heraldic Lion Shield Sculpture
£ 3,900
19th Century Pugin Design Carved Tiger Oak Heraldic Lion Shield Sculpture
£ 3,900
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Vintage Garden UK
Set Three Large Garden Cherubs on Plinths
£ 2,400
The Gentleman Terrier
Early Meerschaum Style Madonna & Child Framed Carving
Stalham Antique Gallery
"Le Fumier Oriental"
POA
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Chinese Carved Wood Foo Dog Statues
£ 2,950
Deviantik
Simon Randers Teak Sculpture
£ 365
Carradale Farm Antiques Ltd
Ferdinando de Luca (Italian, 20th Century) Large Bronze Figurine
£ 3,400
Ferdinando de Luca (Italian, 20th Century) Large Bronze Figurine
£ 3,400
Carradale Farm Antiques Ltd
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Jack Russell Sculpture by Lucy Kinsella
£ 4,800
Robert Belcher Antiques
A Rare Folk Art Straw Work Study of a Duckling
£ 425
JMR Antiques Ltd
19th C Bronze Sculpture by A D Delafontaine
£ 1,895
D and A Binder LTD
Small Articulated Artist Lay Figure
£ 192
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Superb Bronze Spaniel Wall Plague
£ 440
Applecross Antiques
Pair of Victorian Staffordshire Figures of Goatherds
£ 395
£ 225
Elite Antiques
Stunning Goldscheider Figure c.1900
£ 595
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Vintage Bronze Bull Statue with Marble Base after Barye
£ 650
Vintage Bronze Bull Statue with Marble Base after Barye
£ 650
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Elite Antiques
Gilt Bronze Temple Buddha on Horseback
£ 140
Elite Antiques
Good Vintage Bronze Gorilla on Marble Base
£ 150
Trade Antiques
Carved Saint 5ft Italian Original Paint 1830
£ 22,500
Mundella Antiques LTD
Continental Carved Oak Figures 19th Century
£ 450
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.