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.
William Rand Antiques
Japanese Meiji Period Twin Handled Bronze Vase
£ 175
Rams Head Antiques
Good Pair of Baroque Style Giltwood Cherubs
£ 395
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Decorative Cast Stone Wild Cat Head with Iron Collar
£ 625
O Keeffe Antiques
French Gilded Bronze Birdcage Crystal Chandelier
£ 4,750
O Keeffe Antiques
French Gilded & Crystal Twin Arm Wall Lights
£ 695
Patrick Howard Antiques
Antique Pair French Ormolu Gilt Bronze Dore Empire Candlesticks with Dolphins
£ 775
Antique Pair French Ormolu Gilt Bronze Dore Empire Candlesticks with Dolphins
£ 775
Patrick Howard Antiques
Warner & Watts Antiques
French Art Deco Alsatian Dogs on Marble Base
£ 140
Warner & Watts Antiques
Art Deco Plaster Figure of a Nude Lady
£ 75
Warner & Watts Antiques
19th Century Italian Wood Carving of the Holy Family
£ 175
Elmgarden Antiques
Large Carved & Painted Temple Lion, Pixiu or Foo Dog
£ 1,100
Time to Admire Ltd
USA Cold Painted Cast Bronze Sculpture of Red Indian Warrior
£ 230
Time to Admire Ltd
Bronze Sculpture in the Form of a Victorian Boat Builder
£ 195
Warner & Watts Antiques
Bronze Mother with Child
£ 165
Sovereign Antiques
Art Deco Figure on Marble Base
£ 2,950
Warner & Watts Antiques
Bronze Bust of Dantes
£ 195
Warner & Watts Antiques
Silvered Bronze Figure ‘Sultry Awakening'
£ 150
Warner & Watts Antiques
Fine Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Tiger
£ 210
Warner & Watts Antiques
Unique Hand Carved Baroque Gold Water Gilding Winged Cherub, Signed
£ 245
Unique Hand Carved Baroque Gold Water Gilding Winged Cherub, Signed
£ 245
Warner & Watts Antiques
Time to Admire Ltd
French Bronze Sculpture of 2 Classical Maidens
£ 650
Merchant House Antiques
Art Deco Cold Painted Crocodile
£ 895
Treasured Timepieces
Vintage Mid Century Carved Wooden Thai Musician with a Thai Flute ( Pi Chawa )
£ 22
Vintage Mid Century Carved Wooden Thai Musician with a Thai Flute ( Pi Chawa )
£ 22
Treasured Timepieces
Christian Davies Antiques
A Pair of French Classical 19th Century Bronze Marley Horses
£ 750
Antique & Modern Living
A Charming Bronze By Louis Kley (1833-1911)
£ 975
Elmgarden Antiques
Gold Wall Mask of Bacchus
£ 400
Koos Limburg Jnr
Ukraine Interest, Amusing Sculpture Of A Bibliophile/ Bookworm
£ 1,450
£ 1,200
19th Century Bronze Figure After Auguste Moreau - The Poacher's Triumph
£ 1,200
Hawkins Antiques
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
Elmgarden Antiques
A Charming Collection of Painted and Carved Decoy Ducks
£ 800
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Vintage Italian Ceramic Leopard Sculptures
£ 875
Elmgarden Antiques
A Statue of Saint Martín de Porres Velázquez OP
£ 600
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
🐎 Patinated Bronze Horse Fountain Spout Sculpture — After Giambologna, Italian Renaissance Style
£ 1,250
🐎 Patinated Bronze Horse Fountain Spout Sculpture — After Giambologna, Italian Renaissance Style
£ 1,250
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Vintage Garden UK
Well Weathered Stone Four Seasons
£ 1,600
Robert Belcher Antiques
William Tell with His Son, a Black Forest Carving
£ 1,050
Robert Belcher Antiques
A Large Pair of Italian Terracotta Decorative Lions
£ 2,650
Time to Admire Ltd
Bronze Sculpture of Thoroughbred Horse by Pierre-Jules Mene
£ 320
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Large Scale 19th Century Carved Wood Stag’s Head
£ 3,600
£ 1,975
Alain Michel Antiques
Angelot En Bois Sculpté - 18th Siècle
€ 900
Elmgarden Antiques
Good Classical Weathered Bust of Lady
£ 700
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Sculpture of Guan Yin
£ 360
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.