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.
£ 2,950
Lefays Fine Arts
Sally Arnup (British 1930–2015) Bronze Norfolk Terrier Dog
£ 1,750
£ 2,500
Lefays Fine Arts
Miyao Eisuke Meiji Japanese Gilt Bronze Okimono Warrior
£ 2,450
Stalham Antique Gallery
Bronze Statue on a Marble Base
£ 220
£ 1,350
20th Century Art Sculptures
Art Deco Silvered Bronze Pierette by Louis Fontinelle
£ 1,295
20th Century Art Sculptures
Art Deco Bronze Lion by Jeanne Hugues
£ 895
20th Century Art Sculptures
Art Deco Gilt Bronze Herons Signed E. Garin
£ 495
20th Century Art Sculptures
Art Deco Gilt Bronze Nude Dancer by Joseph Decomps
£ 2,250
20th Century Art Sculptures
Art Deco Bronze Dancer Signed S. Melani
£ 1,695
20th Century Art Sculptures
Early 20th Century Silvered Pheasant Sculpture Signed Frecourt
£ 695
Early 20th Century Silvered Pheasant Sculpture Signed Frecourt
£ 695
20th Century Art Sculptures
20th Century Art Sculptures
Art Deco Bronze Hunter & Eagle by Michel Decoux
£ 1,295
Trade Antiques
Pair of Chinese Hardwood Fu Temple Lions 1830
£ 1,250
Antique & Modern Living
Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Elephant
£ 1,495
20th Century Art Sculptures
Antique Gilt Bronze 'Tambourine Dancer' by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
£ 1,995
Antique Gilt Bronze 'Tambourine Dancer' by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
£ 1,995
20th Century Art Sculptures
Norfolk Trade Antiques
Stunning Quality Pair of Carved Hardwood Oriental Buffalo
£ 495
Antiques & Chic
Country House Bronze Statue on Wooden Pedestal
£ 3,295
Treehouse Antiques
Pair of Hand Carved Oak Angels
£ 695
Treehouse Antiques
Antique Carved Oak Angel
£ 380
Norfolk Trade Antiques
Carved Oriental Goats / Rams
£ 145
Antiques & Chic
Art Deco Bronze - Signed Aktien Gesellschaft Gladenbeck
£ 695
20th Century Art Sculptures
Gilt Bronze Kneeling Angel by Jean Francois Theodore Gechter
£ 1,295
Gilt Bronze Kneeling Angel by Jean Francois Theodore Gechter
£ 1,295
20th Century Art Sculptures
Roger Grimes Antiques
A Bronze Netsuke Modeled as a Wild Boar
£ 475
Antiques & Chic
Victorian Signed Bronze A.collas, Brevett to the Base
£ 895
Cheshire Antiques Consultant
French 19th Century Bronzel Sculpture Bull by Isidore Jules Bonheur
£ 8,500
French 19th Century Bronzel Sculpture Bull by Isidore Jules Bonheur
£ 8,500
Cheshire Antiques Consultant
Vintage Garden UK
Large Pair Chinese Terracotta Soldiers
£ 895
Vintage Garden UK
Pair Stone Seated Lions on Plinths
£ 695
Vintage Garden UK
Pair Stone Seated Lions on Plinths
£ 695
Koos Limburg Jnr
Large Dutch Two Sided Oak Fine Carved Gingerbread Mould
£ 345
The Antique Warehouse
Spelter Figurine: 1890 French Spelter Figurine of a Greek Goddess on a Wooden Plinth
£ 155
Spelter Figurine: 1890 French Spelter Figurine of a Greek Goddess on a Wooden Plinth
£ 155
The Antique Warehouse
The Antique Warehouse
Spelter Figurine: Wonderful French Spelter Figurine on Ebonised Wooden Plinth 1880
£ 175
Spelter Figurine: Wonderful French Spelter Figurine on Ebonised Wooden Plinth 1880
£ 175
The Antique Warehouse
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
£ 125
London City Antiques
Superb Quality Antique Victorian Alabaster Bust
£ 1,650
£ 365
20th Century Art Sculptures
Art Deco Tiger Signed Rousseau
£ 1,995
£ 985
Heavy Antique Putto Figure, Italian, Lead Cherub Statue, Neoclassical c.1850
£ 985
London Fine Ltd
£ 895
Antique Siamese Dancer Statue, Thai, Bronze Deity Figure - Victorian c.1850
£ 895
London Fine Ltd
£ 950
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.