Carved Busts

Bust of a youth after the ancient Greek, a fine reproduction issued by the Brooklyn Museum, circa 1980s, crafted from stone composite with black faux marble pedestal. 9 1/2 by 5 1/2...

Stunning classical style display column with a wonderful and warm patina. This marvelous piece of early 20th century workmanship is another fine example of the quality that was made in those days. All handcrafted out of oak and beautifully patinated from top to bottom this antique stand is a real eyecatcher and over the many decades the patina has only made this antique more attractive. This highly stylish, strong and very stable stand will easily take one of your heavier sculptures as well. The combination of the circular, heavy stem with its classical carvings and cannelures and the square base and table top make this stylish antique an absolute joy to own and look at. Apart from a few minor imperfections, this antique display stand...

Elegant 19th Century Italian Alabaster Bust of a Vestal Virgin A superb example of a 19th Century Italian craftsmanship, this finely carved alabaster bust depicts a serene veiled wom...

Spectacular and very decorative piece. Large carved wooden reliquary bust of a Madonna. Beautiful traces of color. Small losses and without the relics. Silver/silvered central piece ...

Upper part of a torso of Mercury. Ancient Rome · 2nd century AD. Marble. 64 cm with the stand. Provenance - Private collection of C. M., Leuven, Belgium. Acquired between 1980 an...

Exceptional antique (19th century) Italian Grand Tour white marble bust of the Greek god, Hermes, after the ancient, measuring 19 1/2 by 12 1/2 by 7 inches. 65 lbs. Apparently unsi...

Sculpture of a Noble. Ancient Egypt · Old Kingdom, 4th – 6th Dynasty, 2625 – 2450 BC. Material: Granodiorite. Size: Height 126 cm; width 42 cm and weight 170 kg; 190 cm with the ...

This painted limestone relief is an exquisite example of New Kingdom relief carving from the apogee of Egyptian artistic production. Carved in raised relief - a labour-intensive tech...

This alabaster bust was carved by the Belgian sculptor Gustave Van Vaerenbergh (1873–1927) in the 1900s, during the Art Nouveau period in which he built his reputation. Van Vaerenber...

Vintage Buddha head statuette for tabletop display, made from carved stone. Minor chipping, natural patina.

GRAND TOUR Italy, circa late 19th/early 20th Century Bust of Young Gaius Octavius Augustus Carved Carrara marble, unsigned 17 1/4" H x 8 3/4" W x 5 5/8" D A good Grand Tour bust ...

Toracata statue of emperor Ancient Rome · Reign of Domitian, 81-96 AD. Marble 181 cm high; 80 cm wide; 30 cm deep Documents: - Study report on the age of the piece issued by Dr....

Ideal male torso modeled after Polykleitos' Doryphorus Ancient Rome · 1st - 2nd century A.D. After an original from 450 - 440 BC. Marble Height 66 cm and width 43 cm. 78 cm height...

28 cm with the stand. Provenance Private collection, Mrs. Claude Marcault, France. Formed in 1970. Documents - Attached is a study on the antiquity of the piece issued by an Egypto...

ENRICO CARUSO Italian, 1873-1921 "Laughing Buddha, a Self Portrait" (1909) Sand-cast patinated bronze executed early 20th century by Roman Bronze Works (cold-stamped verso) Signed ...

19.5 cm with the stand. Provenance - Private collection, France. Acquired by family inheritance. - Private collection, J. G., Madrid, 2022. Beautiful head that belonged to a bust o...

30.5 cm with the stand. Provenance - Private collection Richard Irwin Johnson (1925 - 2020), Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts (USA). - Richard Irwin Johnson was a research associate at ...

A monumental deconstructed ceramic male torso, signed by artist, 20th century. In tones of burnt pêche, apricot, and sienna, this stunning sculpture epitomizes cubism in three dimens...

Elegant classical-style marble bust, likely produced in Italy in the 19th century. The sculpture depicts an idealized female figure inspired by Greco-Roman antiquity, characterized b...

Wonderfully detailed Art Nouveau style alabaster carved bust of a woman with a sheer dress wearing a head band by famous Italian artist Antonio Frilli. Signed “A. Frilli Firenze" ...

Fragment of a marble shelf statuette representing Asclepius/Aesculapius, Greek and Roman god of medicine. It is carved in the round, with the same level of finish on the front and ba...

This late 19th Century bust was executed by French painter and sculptor Louis-Robert Carrier-Belleuse (1848–1913), son and pupil of renowned sculptor Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse. ...

A very fine and large French 19th century white marble bust of a young beauty, purported to be a young "Marie Antoinette" (Queen of France 1755-1793), by René Rozet...

Masterfully carved Italian Vanitas / Memento Mori bust in solid marble from late 19th century. White Carrara marble skull combined with masterfully...

JEAN-JOSEPH-ALEXANDRE FALGUIÈRE French, 1831-1900 "Bust of Diana the Huntress" (1882) Patinated bronze over Nero Portero marble base Signed on shoulder "A. Falguiere", foundry cach...

32.3 cm with the stand. Provenance: - Galerie Samarcande, Paris, France, since 1973. - Drouot Richelieu, Paris, October 7 - 8, 1996, lot 324. - Private collection, Boulonnais, Fran...

Beautiful marble Quan Yin. Very large and incredibly heavy (needs additional padding on the underside or a stand to help balance the bust so that it ca...

An exceptional antique bust of a Castilian woman, masterfully sculpted in marbled resin by Cav. Arnaldo Giannelli, one of the most celebrated Italian sculptors of the 20th century. D...

This large mid eighteenth century French hand carved olive wood bust depicts a bishop clad in liturgical vestments. The bishop with full beard and curly hair wears a distinctive mitr...

Rare Carved Limestone.Art Deco. W P A, cubist sculpture by William Slattery Included original printed brochure from exhibit,, see photo of sculptu...

Italian sculpture "Lisippea Apoxiomenos" Head Begin 20th century Marble Measure: H: 46cm including the base Perfect condition.

Antique Egyptian stone bust 19th century This sculpture was purchased at a wine-producing château in Bordeaux. Good condition with good patina due to age. Shipping: 14 / 12 / 15 c...

A circa 19th century Vietnamese carved wooden and polychromed seated Buddha with original patina. Measurements: Height: 31" Width: 22" Depth: 17"

Stunning Chinese sculpture of Shou Xing God of Wisdom and Longevity. Richly carved in organic burl wood. circa 1960s. Measure: 45.5" High. X.

Carved and painted wooden phrenology head Store display advertising model. Phrenology bust by unknown wood carver, circa 1870. Perfect to decorate a Do...

Crafted in Spain, circa 1680, this antique carved wooden bust depicts the head of Christ with a strikingly expressive, devotional presence typical of the Haute Époque period. The scu...

Large African Tribal Female Bust Sculpture, 32 cm – Hand-Carved Ethnographic Art Figure A wooden striking and highly decorative 32 cm African tribal female bust sculpture, celebrati...

GRAND TOUR Italy, 19th century "Bust: Portrait of Socrates" Carved from a single solid block of white marble Unsigned Circa 1860-80 18 1/2" H x 10" W x 7 1/2" D Carved from a sin...

42 cm with the stand. Provenance - Private collection, Paris, France. Nero Claudius Drusus, better known as Drusus the Younger or the Minor to distinguish him from his uncle, Drusu...

7 Stunning Italian Marble Sculptures Representing "The Baths of Apollo" H: 220cm early 20th Century France. Versailles. Palace. Gardens. Grove of the Baths of Apollo. Hubert Robert....

Incredible hand carved 19th century Italian specimen marble busts of Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony. The life like faces are impeccably carved in...

This beautiful stone sculpture is a true masterpiece of African art from the beautiful country of Zimbabwe. This bust is lovingly hand-carved from stone that is said to have healing ...

Rare and highly decorative antique hand-carved wooden monk sculpture. If you are looking for a meaningful, expressive, and superbly hand-carved antique work of art to grace your stu...

Masterfully carved & most impressive Italian Vanitas bust in solid marble from late 19th century. White Carrara marble skull combined with a Belgian...

Sculpture Bust Roman in solid hand carved marble lightly red tinted and grey tinted. Exceptional piece. Available now on stock.

Marble Busts of Roman on pedestal. Early 19th Century

This finely executed bust of a Naiad is attributed to the neoclassical sculptor John Gibson (1790 – 1866). A Naiad was a type of mythological water nymph and is depicted here with her head bowed and cocked slightly to the side, displaying her strong neo-Hellenistic profile. In her hair, the nymph wears a headdress that is comprised of long and slender reed leaves, which not only identifies her iconographically as a water spirit, but draws a close comparison with those worn by the female figures in John Gibson’s Hylas Surprised by the Naiades (1827 - 1837) (fig.1). The downwards and off-centre orientation of our Naiad bust mirrors that of the taller figure on the left of the group, who rests her cheek on the head young Hylas (fig.2) Her facial physiognomy follows the neo-Hellenistic archetype established by Gibson and can be closely compared with his Tinted Venus – one of the most important statues of the Victorian era (1851–56, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool) (fig.3). While Gibson’s Tinted Venus is known best for its controversial polychrome ‘tinting’, the essential structure of the face—broad brow, finely drawn nose, wide (and slightly drooping) almond-shaped eyes - provided a template that Gibson returned to repeatedly in his depiction of mythological maidens. Critics of the time noted the consistency of his female types, with some seeing their idealised severity as an antidote to the sentimentality of much mid-Victorian sculpture (fig.4 – 6). The facial physiognomy is also very similar to a drawing by Gibson at the Royal Academy that depicts Hero weeping over the dead body of Leander (fig.7). The socle style of the present work also finds comparisons with Gibsons busts of Cupid and Aurora. This was of course somewhat standardised, but it is interesting to note the extent of their similarity with our bust. John Gibson RA is considered by many to be the greatest British sculptor of the nineteenth century working in the Neoclassical style. It is hard to overestimate the impact Rome had on the life and art of the artist. He first arrived in the city around 1817, when he was just twenty-six, and remained a resident there until his death. Not only did Rome’s ancient sculptural treasures and architectural fragments offer Gibson a lifetime of inspiration, but the Grand Tourists who poured into Rome in the first half of the nineteenth century provided him with many commercial opportunities. These rich or aristocratic travellers sought out mythological sculptures for their grand, palatial residences. However, since the papal decrees of Doria Pamphilj and Pacca of 1803 banned the export of ancient Greek and Roman works of art from Rome, there was a large demand for modern idealised sculpture in the Neoclassical style (Frasca-Rath 2016, p. 10). During his early days in the city he had the great fortune to train under both Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen (Roscoe and Hardy 2009, p. 522). He referred continuously to Canova as his “master”, particularly in his memoirs, which he dictated to Margarete Sandbach at the beginning of the 1850s; these were subsequently published by Lady Eastlake in 1870. Moreover, he claimed to be Canova’s last pupil in a letter to Antonio Gacini, Secretary of the Royal Academy in Milan in 1861, written to thank the Academy for accepting him as an Honorary Member: “The first instruction which I received in my art was from an Italian. It was Canova whose pupil I became in the year 1817 and studied under him for five years when he died. I was his last pupil” (Royal Academy Archive GI/1376). By 1821, Gibson had established his own studio in the via Fontanella, off the via Babuino. From here he aimed to produce sculpture of “the sublime and the purest beauty”, believing that the sculptor’s role was to select and combine the most beautiful parts of nature to create a harmonious whole, which would delight and elevate the viewer. By the mid nineteenth century he was one of the few remaining exponents of the so-called ‘pure’ and ‘neo Hellenistic’ style of sculpture, resolutely upholding the Neoclassical ideals established by Wincklemann, in a period when naturalism and modern subjects preoccupied the majority of artists in Europe (Turner, ed., 1996, p. 598). Gibson was convinced of the importance of disseminating artistic ideas through the younger generations, an ideal no doubt impressed upon him by Canova, and established ‘the British Academy of Arts in Rome’. His students included William Theed (1804–1891), Benjamin Spence (1822–1866), Harriet Hosmer...

An imposing sculptural bust crafted from four shades of marble, depicting a male figure with a commanding presence and powerful expressiveness. The piece combines different types of ...

Sculpture, sculpted sandstone bust in the taste of ancient Egypt, XXth century. Bust, carved sandstone sculpture in the taste of ancient Egypt, 20th century. Dimensions : H: 58cm, ...

An Impressive 19th Century Italian Hand-Carved Carrara Marble Model of The Three Graces, Originally by Antonio Canova. The carving on this piece is exceptionally well done. The faces, hair, hands and draped clothing...

A Monumental and Rare 19th Century French Ormolu Mounted Multi-Marble Bust of Alexander The Great, After The Model by Francois Girardon. Drawing inspiration from the renowned "Bust of Alexander the Great (356-323 BC)" housed in the esteemed Palace of Versailles, this monumental work of art showcases exceptional craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail, serving as a testament to the creator's artistic prowess. Central to this magnificent sculpture is the resplendent red marble face, neck, and hair of Alexander the Great. Capturing the youthful essence of the conqueror, the sculptor depicts him as a young man with a clean-shaven countenance, his moderately long curls delicately cascading from beneath a remarkably unadorned helmet, save for a magnificent plume. The red marble harmoniously accentuates the life-like features of Alexander, imparting an air of regal elegance to the composition. Adding to the allure of this remarkable sculpture is an ormolu robe cascading over Alexander's shoulders, exuding an aura of nobility and power. Of particular note, the breastplate bears an embossed ormolu mask of a deity in profile, surrounded by elegantly sweeping acanthus leaves, paying homage to the influential forces that shaped the life of this great conqueror. Once again, the sublime combination of precious metal and marble amplifies the robe's magnificence, further accentuated by the presence of an ormolu body chain swaying gracefully from Alexander's left shoulder to his right hip. The selection of marbles for the cuirass and plinth serves as an additional testament to the artist's commitment to crafting a visually striking and harmonious composition. The grey marble cuirass complements the overall color scheme of the bust while providing a subtle contrast to the red marble features. At the neck, a pleated ormolu linen undergarment discreetly peeks out, showcasing the artist's meticulous attention to intricate details and enhancing the sculpture's depth. The original Alexander The Great Bust...

Grey Marble Socle From our Sculpture collection, we are delighted to offer this exceptional Antique Italian Marble Bust Augustus Caesar. The bust...

An early 19th century Italian carved marble bust of a young Caesar, sitting on an antique marble and bronze column base. Measurements: Total height 51.5" Length 10" Depth 7" D...

An impressive pair of hand-carved hardwood African busts, circa 1970s. The pair are made out of some type of exotic hardwood (zebra wood? very heavy a...

An exceptionally rare antique German Renaissance carving by Stephan Rottaler (1581-1533), Bavaria circa 1500. The carving is by Stephan Rottaler, Landshut, Germany, an architect who ...

This distressed antique French winged cherub bust is a testament to the grandeur and craftsmanship of the 17th-century French Baroque. Carved from dense, heavy oak, this architectura...

FILLI PUGI Italian, fl. 19th century Bust of the Capitoline Antinous after Antiquity Carved Carrara Marble signed verso “Filli Pugi Firenze” executed circa late 19th century Ite...

An elegant late 19th-century Italian marble bust of Psyche of Capua, inspired by classical Roman models. Finely carved with delicate features and flowing drapery, this piece embodie...

An Amedeo Modigliani-inspired brass bust featuring two Minimalist figures. Wonderful slight oxidation to finish over entire brass surface. Nicely scaled piece that can stand alone, y...

This sculpture is in solid wood. Hand carved by a french artist in the 1950's It is signed P.Leclerc.