Humans appear to be the only species interested in representing themselves in Art. The earliest known figurative sculpture found so far dates back over 35,000 years and since then we have never stopped recreating models of ourselves out of other materials. It is of course amazing how one basic body form can create an endless array of poses and positions, each uniquely suggestive of the person’s mood and personality. The most common materials for figural work are bronze, wood and stone, with each creating very different effects.
While competence alone can create an accurate representation of the body in sculptural form, it takes a true artist to give the piece a sense of presence and life. The most famous including Michelangelo, Degas, Rodin, Moore and others recognised this. In Europe the Renaissance allowed sculptors to consider the sense of allegory and movement in the frozen moment and also how to manipulate the finish to help suit that mood. Therefore, when looking at a great sculpture you are not just seeing the physical likeness of someone, but often a glimpse into their personality as well. If the 19th Century was all about recreating energy-charged classical pieces, by the 20th Century allegory was replaced with tenderness, humour and abstraction, capturing and portraying more personal moments.
At LoveAntiques we have a fine selection of Antique and Vintage sculptures from knowledgeable dealers across the UK and beyond.
Pair of Vintage Serbian Folk Art Carved Wooden Figures Traditional Costume
£ 160
Hendle's Hoard
Pair Large Sancai Glazed Chinese Pottery Musician Figures – Tang Dynasty Style
£ 790
artsonline.org.uk
An Interesting Walnut Sculpture Of A Madonna Seated On A Throne, Circa 1570
£ 2,450
Koos Limburg Jnr
Chinese Limestone Buddha Head – Ming Dynasty or Earlier – Fine Ancient Sculpture
£ 1,250
artsonline.org.uk
Gilt Bronze Infant Bacchus Sculpture by Charles Louis Malric for Susse Frères
£ 395
artsonline.org.uk
Art Nouveau Austrian Bronze Nude Sculpture - Attributed Rudolf Küchler c.1900
£ 490
artsonline.org.uk
Very Large Bronze of the Venus de Milo by Ferdinand Barbedienne
£ 2,750
Prometheus Antiques
Large Elizabethan Polychrome Oak Figure of Charity
£ 6,875
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Large Vintage Grand-tour Style Classical Cast Plaster Sculpture 20th Century
£ 310
artsonline.org.uk
Monumental Chinese Carved Hardwood Sculpture of Guardian King (Lokapala)
£ 1,695
Robert Belcher Antiques
Antique 19th Century Outstanding Quality Bronze Dancing Maidens Statue Signed by Clodion
£ 5,500
London City Antiques
Antique French Moreau Family Bronze Sculpture of a Young Maiden (15.5 Inches Tall)
£ 290
artsonline.org.uk
Antique Burmese Pegu Bronze Figurine Sculpture Carrying a Burden on Carved Stand
£ 275
artsonline.org.uk
Franz Xaver Bergman (1861-1936) Basket with Two Birds Cold Painted Bronz
£ 1,095
EMC Collection
Large Chinese Shang Dynasty Style Ritual Bronze 'HE' Wine Vessel with Human Face
£ 1,190
artsonline.org.uk
Josef Lorenzl Austrian (1892-1950) Art Deco Gilt Bronze Ballerina on Onyx c.1925
£ 5,000
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
French Bronze La Source Nude Figure After Auguste Moreau After Auguste Moreau (French, 1834–1917) c.1900
£ 4,500
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Late 19th Century Italian Bronze ‘Grand Tour’ Souvenir of Dancing Fawn
£ 1,450
Antique & Modern Living
La Bonne, Soupe Par by Victor Rousseau, 1865 to 1954 of Art Nouveau Lamp
£ 795
EMC Collection
Victorian Patinated Spelter Family Group Classical Scene Antique 5.65kg C1870
£ 175
Lomond Antiques
Interesting Collection of 9 Chinese Wood Carvings Showing The Daily Life In China
£ 375
Koos Limburg Jnr
Josef Lorenzl (1892-1950) - Nude Dancer, Verdigris Patinated Bronze
£ 1,200
Down Lane Hall Antiques
E Villanis Large 19th Century Bronze Sculpture ‘capture’
£ 4,500
Sussex Antiques and Interiors
