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.
Youngs Antiques
17th Century Saint
£ 1,100
£ 365
Youngs Antiques
Small 17th Century Bronze Crouching Venus
£ 2,000
Antique and Unique
Antique Burmese Bronze Buddha
£ 255
Youngs Antiques
Late 16th - Early 17th Century Polychrome Figure
£ 1,850
Barcroft and Kidd
Travertine Giraffe Sculpture by Fratelli Mannelli
£ 325
Graham Smith Antiques Ltd
Edwardian Bronze of Boys Fighting
£ 395
London City Antiques
Fine Pair of Antique Victorian Carved Ebonised Figures
£ 2,495
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Large Painted Terracotta Bust of Madame Du Barry After Augustin Pajou
£ 1,620
Large Painted Terracotta Bust of Madame Du Barry After Augustin Pajou
£ 1,620
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
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
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
Hawkins Antiques
Art Nouveau Gilt And Bronze Patinated Bust Of Sarah Bernhardt By Paul Francois Berthoud
£ 2,950
Art Nouveau Gilt And Bronze Patinated Bust Of Sarah Bernhardt By Paul Francois Berthoud
£ 2,950
Hawkins Antiques
Hawkins Antiques
A Beautiful Quality 19th Century Bronze Bust Of Lady
£ 850
Hawkins Antiques
Bronze Figure Of Boy After August Moreau
£ 1,200
Tony Youll Antiques
Large Marble and Alabaster Sculpture
£ 1,650
Wick Antiques Ltd
Patinated Bronze Group of Two Borzoi Hounds by Mark Thomas
£ 4,400
Wick Antiques Ltd
A Victorian White Painted Terracotta Bust of a Young Woman
£ 650
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
A 19th Century Sculpture of a Female
£ 3,950
£ 2,650
Antique Historic Desk Statue, Continental Bronze, Frederick the Great, Victorian
£ 2,650
London Fine Ltd
Antique & Modern Living
19th Century French Bronze Bust Of Apollo
£ 925
Rams Head Antiques
Large & Impressive Romanesque Bust
£ 1,250
Graham Smith Antiques Ltd
Large Japanese Root Wood Okimono
£ 535
London City Antiques
Superb Quality Antique Victorian Alabaster Bust
£ 1,650
Alain Michel Antiques
Wooden Statue of Monk with Bible & Ciborium - 16th Century
€ 1,700
Antique and Unique
Antique Continental Gilt Bronze Storks
£ 295
Antique & Modern Living
Artists Lay Figure by Lechertier Barbe Ltd
£ 1,650
Koos Limburg Jnr
Ukraine Interest, Amusing Sculpture of Bibliophile / Bookworm
£ 3,750
Koos Limburg Jnr
Ukraine Interest, Amusing Sculpture of Night Watchman
£ 3,250
Wick Antiques Ltd
Bronze Study of a Boy Collecting Fruit in His Wide Brimmed Hat
£ 3,100
Wick Antiques Ltd
Meiji Period Bronze Sculpture of Mother & Son by Atsuyoshi
£ 4,800
Wick Antiques Ltd
Bronze of an Edwardian Lady on a Window Seat
£ 6,500
Elder Books & Collectables
Large Pair of Hand Carved African Figures King & Queen Carvings
£ 795
Large Pair of Hand Carved African Figures King & Queen Carvings
£ 795
Elder Books & Collectables
Rams Head Antiques
Impressive Pair of Chinese Terracotta Fo Dogs
£ 825
Witch Antiques
Bronze Mountaineer
£ 285
Jo Brayshaw
Bird Bronze c.1930
£ 175
Cheshire Antiques Consultant
Bronze Race Horses & Jockeys About to Jump Fence Sculpture by Barry Foley
£ 2,500
Bronze Race Horses & Jockeys About to Jump Fence Sculpture by Barry Foley
£ 2,500
Cheshire Antiques Consultant
Elder Books & Collectables
Vintage Hand Made French Cockerel c.1970
£ 175
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Carved Jade Crane Figure on Lacquered Wooden Base
£ 425
Hawkins Antiques
Pair of Bronze Figures of Ladies by Jean-Louis Gregoire
£ 16,500
Campbell Vintage
Traditional Vintage Kokeshi Doll 1001612
£ 88
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.