To produce a really competent 3D representation of something is extremely hard. Not only does the artist need to understand the unique bone and muscle structures of the animal as is moves and rests, but also needs to capture the true character and essence of the creature at that moment in time. On top of this common features such as fur, feathers and markings need to be simplified to suggest merely their presence as such detail would otherwise become overwhelming.
Because animals have played a central role in human experience there are plenty of famous animal sculptures as diverse as the Sphinx in Egypt to the bronze bull at Wall Street. But while these may win our affections from their scale and physical presence, sometimes even tiny handheld animal sculptures can win our hearts just as much for their fragility and attention to detail. Indeed, to produce a peaceful curled up cat the size of a coin is far harder than creating it in full size. We have some great 20th Century examples where this is the case.
Whether made of Bronze, stone, wood or something else, at LoveAntiques our knowledgeable dealers understand what makes the difference between a good animal sculpture and a great one.
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Mounted Gilt Bronze Study of Cat & Mouse
£ 185
Burgett Langfield
19th Century French Bronze Sculpture of Dog - Signed Dubucand
£ 795
Windsor House Antiques
Late 19th Century Figure of Eagle
£ 3300
Merchant House Antiques
Large Art Deco Spelter Group of Seagulls
£ 495
£ 245
Marylebone Antiques
Life Size 1960's Collie Dog Ceramic Sculpture
£ 425
Windsor House Antiques
A Late 19th Century Bronze Figure of Carpet Seller Astride a Camel
£ 1000
A Late 19th Century Bronze Figure of Carpet Seller Astride a Camel
£ 1000
Windsor House Antiques
Bridport Antiques
Greyhound Pen Wipe
£ 115
£ 1495
Antique Fighting Bull Figure, Italian, Heavy, Brass, Ornament, Statue, Victorian
£ 1495
London Fine Ltd
£ 165
Rocaille
Pre Cast Lion on Plinth Statue
£ 595
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Three Wise Monkeys in Bronze
£ 210
Yeats Country Antiques
Very Fine Art Deco Animalier Sculpture of Stag & Doe by L. A. Carvin
€ 1950
Very Fine Art Deco Animalier Sculpture of Stag & Doe by L. A. Carvin
€ 1950
Yeats Country Antiques
Rocaille
Large Greyhound Statue
£ 2500
£ 1895
Large Art Deco French Spelter Sculpture ' Birds in Flight' Signed Rochard
£ 1895
Burgett Langfield
Graham Smith Antiques Ltd
Rare Bronze Dog by Henry Snell Gamley
£ 695
Pushkin Antiques Ltd
20th Century Life Size Bronze Stag's Head
£ 1795
Windsor House Antiques
Pair of Well Carved Late 19th Century Trophies
£ 1850
Museum of Treasure
Russian Agate Carved Bear with Gold and Ruby Eyes
£ 7500
Mostly Boxes Antiques ltd
Victorian Japanese Spelter Raging Tiger
£ 149
Windsor House Antiques
Mid 19th Century Bronze Figure of a Putti Astride a Cayman
£ 430
Windsor House Antiques
Very Well Carved Early 20th Century Temple Dog
£ 195
Draper & Humphries
Original French Art Deco Bronze Figure of Gull Signed G H Laurent c.1930
£ 1695
Original French Art Deco Bronze Figure of Gull Signed G H Laurent c.1930
£ 1695
Draper & Humphries
UK Vintage Ceramics
Daum France Wild Horse Sculpture - Pate de Verre Green
£ 395
£ 2900
UK Vintage Ceramics
Daum France Wild Horse Sculpture - Pate de Verre Brown
£ 395
Lascombe Interiors
Bronze Horse Statue
£ 2250
Windsor House Antiques
Attractive Early 20th Century Figure of Cold Painted Retriever on Onyx Base
£ 90
Attractive Early 20th Century Figure of Cold Painted Retriever on Onyx Base
£ 90
Windsor House Antiques
Draper & Humphries
French Art Deco Sculpture Statue Lady with Greyhound
£ 795
Ripley Antiques
Cast Iron Sculpture of Horses Head
£ 450
£ 1400
Marion David Decorative Arts
Austrian Cold Painted Bronze Figure of a Hound c.1910
£ 475
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Large Scale 19th Century Black Forest Carved Ibex
£ 1450
Rams Head Antiques
Charming Victorian Large Cast Iron Lion in Original Paint
£ 695
Museum of Treasure
Small Bronze Koro Squat Temple Lion Standing on a Snake
£ 400
Museum of Treasure
Late 19th Century Chinese Green Jade Carving of Ox
£ 1400
Windsor House Antiques
Carved Japanese Figure of a Cat Playing With a Dogfish
£ 600
£ 235
Antique Miniature Falcon, Japanese, Jade, Hayabusa Figurine, Bird, Victorian
£ 235
London Fine Ltd
Merchant House Antiques
Pair of Carved Wooden Spaniels
£ 695
Merchant House Antiques
Art Deco Bronze Seabird by Lorino
£ 695