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.
Robert Belcher Antiques
Black Forest Limewood Carved Figure of Medieval Young Man Playing Swiss Bagpipes
£ 725
Black Forest Limewood Carved Figure of Medieval Young Man Playing Swiss Bagpipes
£ 725
Robert Belcher Antiques
Warner & Watts Antiques
Chinese Bronze of Quan Yin the Goddess of Mercy
£ 1,500
Koos Limburg Jnr
Bogorodskoe Carving, Russian Folk Art Very Fine Carved Troika
£ 3,750
Patrick Howard Antiques
Pair English Regency Ormolu Bronze Crystal Lusters Candlesticks Candelabra 19ct
£ 875
Pair English Regency Ormolu Bronze Crystal Lusters Candlesticks Candelabra 19ct
£ 875
Patrick Howard Antiques
Warner & Watts Antiques
Tall Burmese Giltwood Buddha
£ 995
£ 1,880
Sir William Reid Dick K.c.v.o., R.A. (british 1879–1961) “granny” Bronze Sculpture
£ 1,880
Lefays
£ 275
Robert Belcher Antiques
Indian Carved Sandalwood of the Goddess Parvati Holding Her Baby Son Ganesha
£ 1,695
Indian Carved Sandalwood of the Goddess Parvati Holding Her Baby Son Ganesha
£ 1,695
Robert Belcher Antiques
Burgett Langfield
Italian Carved Alabaster Sculpture Of A Female Signed Pugi
£ 1,395
Graham Deakin Antiques
Female Nude Sculpture
£ 125
£ 885
Robert Belcher Antiques
A 19th Century Carved Oak Study of St. Paul The Apostle Circa 1860
£ 785
A 19th Century Carved Oak Study of St. Paul The Apostle Circa 1860
£ 785
Robert Belcher Antiques
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
19th Century Terracotta Church Angel Figure
£ 810
Patrick Howard Antiques
Attrib. Benedetto Boschetti Fine Bronzed Male Bust Ajax Greek Mythological Hero
£ 1,175
Attrib. Benedetto Boschetti Fine Bronzed Male Bust Ajax Greek Mythological Hero
£ 1,175
Patrick Howard Antiques
London City Antiques
Unusual Pair of Antique Victorian Quality Carved Oak Figures
£ 685
Marylebone Antiques
Large Antique French Bronze Neoclassical Robed Lady
£ 3,650
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Edwardian Gilt Bronze Figure of Girl & Cat
£ 280
Patrick Howard Antiques
Antique Grand Tour French Bronze Sculpture Male Female Figure Clodion Barbediene
£ 1,975
Antique Grand Tour French Bronze Sculpture Male Female Figure Clodion Barbediene
£ 1,975
Patrick Howard Antiques
Prometheus Antiques
Bronzed Plaster Portrait Relief
£ 295
Vintage Garden UK
Well Weathered Bust of David on Plinth
£ 795
Church Street Antiques
Pair of 19thc French Gilt Bronze Figural Sculptures
£ 480
Patrick Howard Antiques
Antique Pair of Grand Tour Style French Bronze Cherubs Putti After Auguste Moreau
£ 475
Antique Pair of Grand Tour Style French Bronze Cherubs Putti After Auguste Moreau
£ 475
Patrick Howard Antiques
Patrick Howard Antiques
Antique Male Bronze Bust George Stephenson Railways Interest Edward William Wyon
£ 1,775
Antique Male Bronze Bust George Stephenson Railways Interest Edward William Wyon
£ 1,775
Patrick Howard Antiques
Mobilificio Adriatico SNC
19th Century French Sculpture in Japanese Style with Earthquake Detection Mechanism
€ 1,300
19th Century French Sculpture in Japanese Style with Earthquake Detection Mechanism
€ 1,300
Mobilificio Adriatico SNC
artsncraftsfurniture
Bronze Figure
£ 175
Patrick Howard Antiques
Antique Female French Classical Bronze Diana Robing Praxiteles Audin Marseille
£ 1,375
Antique Female French Classical Bronze Diana Robing Praxiteles Audin Marseille
£ 1,375
Patrick Howard Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Bronze Sculpture by Tom Merrifield, Titled: Sebastian
£ 2,400
Holmes Antiques
Very Fine Pair of 17th Century Oak Carved Figures
£ 1,600
Casual Antiques
Athena God of War Bronze
£ 650
Graham Deakin Antiques
Terracotta Sculpture
£ 175
Antique & Modern Living
A Charming & Large 19thc Bronze Group
£ 2,450
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Joaquim Angles 19th Century French Bronze Entitled ' Un Philosophe'
£ 1,295
Joaquim Angles 19th Century French Bronze Entitled ' Un Philosophe'
£ 1,295
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
£ 900
Pair of French Patinated Allegorical Bronze Figures of Putti at Harvest Time
£ 900
Georgian Antiques
Patrick Howard Antiques
Antique Grand Tour French Sevres Parian Sculpture Male Female Figures Group - 19th Century
£ 675
Antique Grand Tour French Sevres Parian Sculpture Male Female Figures Group - 19th Century
£ 675
Patrick Howard Antiques
Sovereign Antiques
Nude Woman Art Form Forties Era
£ 1,450
Alain Michel Antiques
Pair Of Saint Mark In Walnut - 16th Century - Venice
€ 1,600
£ 895
London City Antiques
Large Antique Chinese Quality Carved Hardwood Figure
£ 885
Graham Deakin Antiques
African Hardwood Carving
£ 150
Patrick Howard Antiques
Antique Japanese or Chinese Carved Soapstone Gentleman Figure Meiji Period
£ 475
Antique Japanese or Chinese Carved Soapstone Gentleman Figure Meiji Period
£ 475
Patrick Howard Antiques