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.
Cheshire Antiques Consultant
French Bronze Gladiator Sculpture After Emile Louis Picault
£ 2,000
French Bronze Gladiator Sculpture After Emile Louis Picault
£ 2,000
Cheshire Antiques Consultant
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Life Sized Terrazzo Figure of Diana
£ 995
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Large Terrazzo Figure of David
£ 995
IM Chaney Antique Furniture
French 18th Century Religious Carved Figure of a Saint
£ 180
IM Chaney Antique Furniture
Small 18th Century French Carved Statue of a Saint
£ 120
Albrington Antiques Ltd
Napoleon Bonaparte Bronze on Marble Base
£ 800
Martlesham Antiques
Early 20th Century Life Size Carved Female Torso
£ 8,900
Cheshire Antiques Consultant
Rare Lucifer Golfing Society Car Mascot Hallmarked
£ 1,149
London City Antiques
Fine Pair of Antique Victorian Carved Ebonised Figures
£ 2,400
Wick Antiques Ltd
19th Century French Terracotta Orientalist Group
£ 1,250
Tony Youll Antiques
A Pair of 19th Century Meissen Candlesticks
£ 650
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
A Pair of Brass Ballerina Figures
£ 2,250
Campbell Vintage
Abstract Stone Sculpture Of An Entwined Couple
£ 600
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
Wick Antiques Ltd
A Pair of Bronze Figures Entitled ‘Avant le Combat’ and ‘Après le Combat’ Cast from Models by Etienne-Henri Dumaige
£ 4,800
A Pair of Bronze Figures Entitled ‘Avant le Combat’ and ‘Après le Combat’ Cast from Models by Etienne-Henri Dumaige
£ 4,800
Wick Antiques Ltd
Burgett Langfield
Large French Art Deco Spelter And Ivorine Sculpture Of A Reclining Lady, Signed Cipriani
£ 1,495
Large French Art Deco Spelter And Ivorine Sculpture Of A Reclining Lady, Signed Cipriani
£ 1,495
Burgett Langfield
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Fantastic Quality Antique Victorian Bronze Figure of Shakespeare
£ 435
Fantastic Quality Antique Victorian Bronze Figure of Shakespeare
£ 435
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Harts Antiques
Figure of a Boy
£ 380
Burgett Langfield
Stunning Large 19th Century Bronze Sculpture by Albert Carrier- Belleuse 'la Fileuse'
£ 6,950
Stunning Large 19th Century Bronze Sculpture by Albert Carrier- Belleuse 'la Fileuse'
£ 6,950
Burgett Langfield
Koos Limburg Jnr
Large Pair of Sculptures of Knights in Full Armour Still with Original Bases, Continental c.1890
£ 2,750
Large Pair of Sculptures of Knights in Full Armour Still with Original Bases, Continental c.1890
£ 2,750
Koos Limburg Jnr
Wick Antiques Ltd
Prince Edward & Princess Alexandra of Wales by Count Gleichen
£ 32,500
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Quality Large Antique Japanese Bronze Figure
£ 475
£ 795
Small Antique Hippopotamus Figure, African, Soapstone, Hand Carved, Victorian
£ 795
London Fine Ltd
£ 4,500
19th Century Meiji Period Bronze of Boy Collecting Sweet Chestnuts by Seiya
£ 4,500
Wick Antiques Ltd
Cheshire Antiques Consultant
Cold Painted Bronze Religious Russian Orthodox Church Icon
£ 500
Cheshire Antiques Consultant
British Sculpture Margaret Thatcher
£ 500
£ 695
Antique Great Dane Figure, English, Bronze, Decorative, Dog Statue, Victorian
£ 695
London Fine Ltd
Wick Antiques Ltd
Meiji Period Bronze of Huntsman Carrying a Gun
£ 6,950
Wick Antiques Ltd
Meiji Period Bronze Sculpture of Labourer c.1880
£ 6,400
£ 115
19th Century Antiques
Antique 19th Century Qing Chinese Patinated Bronze Figure of Warrior
£ 495
Antique 19th Century Qing Chinese Patinated Bronze Figure of Warrior
£ 495
19th Century Antiques
Verdi Art & Antiques
Hand Carved Hardwood Bust of a Young Woman C1950
£ 75
19th Century Antiques
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - Homage à Newton
£ 9,995
Attrells
Carved Wooden Butchers or Waiter
£ 295
19th Century Antiques
Salvador Dali - Madonna de Port Lligat Sculpture Ltd to 100
£ 9,995
19th Century Antiques
Salvador Dali Ballerine, Hommage à Margot Fonteyn Very Rare
£ 9,995
Mark Stacey Antiques & Decorative
After Antoine Denis Chaudet Bronze Figure
£ 1,495
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Bronze Boy on Skis
£ 435
Wick Antiques Ltd
Bronze Sculpture by Luis Domenech Vicente
£ 1,650
Wick Antiques Ltd
Charming Gilt Bronze Group of Dutch Children by Foste
£ 3,600