Elisabeth Frink Decorative Objects
British, 1930-1993
Dame Elisabeth Jean Frink was an influential English sculptor and printmaker whose work captured the complexities of the post-war era. Born in Thurlow, Suffolk, she studied at Guildford School of Art (1946–1949) under Willi Soukop, and at Chelsea School of Art (1949–1953). Frink emerged as a key figure among the Geometry of Fear sculptors, a group of post-war British artists including Reg Butler, Bernard Meadows, Kenneth Armitage, and Eduardo Paolozzi. Her oeuvre encompassed themes of masculinity, strength, and struggle, frequently depicting men, birds, dogs, and horses but rarely female forms. Her powerful sculptures and prints evoke the raw emotional aftermath of war.
Frink's early years in wartime Suffolk left a profound impression on her art. She gained international recognition at the 1952 Venice Biennale, where Herbert Read hailed her as "the most vital, the most brilliant and the most promising" artist of the event. Her early success, such as Bird (1952, Tate, London), showcased her distinctive approach, blending menace and grace in avian forms. Her innovative bronze sculptures, characterised by rugged, worked surfaces, broke with traditional modelling techniques.
The 1960s and 1970s marked a period of experimentation. While living in France, she produced the monumental Goggled Heads, haunting male figures exuding threat and alienation. Returning to England, her focus shifted to male nudes with powerful, barrel-chested forms and textured surfaces, exemplified by Running Man (1976, Carnegie Museum of Art).
In the 1980s, Frink's career reached new heights. A retrospective at the Royal Academy in 1985 cemented her legacy, despite a demanding schedule that included major commissions like Dorset Martyrs in Dorchester. She continued to work tirelessly, contributing to public art projects, mentoring students, and serving on advisory committees. Even after being diagnosed with cancer in 1991, Frink persisted in her creative endeavors, producing her final monumental work, Risen Christ for Liverpool Cathedral, installed just days before her death on April 18, 1993.
Frink's impact on sculpture extends beyond her life. Notable works like Warhorse and Walking Madonna are displayed at Chatsworth House, while Desert Quartet (1990) earned Grade II* listing in 2007, a rare honor for a contemporary piece. Her commitment to figurative art inspired the creation of the Frink School of Figurative Sculpture in 1996, a tribute to her artistic vision.
David Bowie counted her among his favorite artists, owning several of her works. As Frink herself believed, sculpture transcends function, existing as an independent and sacrosanct object, harmonising with its environment while commanding a profound presence—a philosophy vividly embodied in her enduring legacy.to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
1
1
1
6
1,367
726
485
480
Creator: Elisabeth Frink
'Horse in the Rain V' Bronze Sculpture by Elisabeth Frink
By Elisabeth Frink
Located in Basildon, GB
'Horse in the Rain V' bronze sculpture by Dame Elisabeth Frink
Created in 1985
Signed on the base 'Frink 5/8'
Provenance : Original dealer (B...
Category
1980s British Vintage Elisabeth Frink Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Related Items
Bronze Horses Sculpture by Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful 1970s cast bronze horses sculpture by renowned designers Curtis Jerè.
The sculpture has a beautiful patina and its mounted on a wooden lacquer base.
The sculpture is s...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Elisabeth Frink Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
French Bronze Sculpture of Youth Wrangling a Horse by Guillaume Coustou
By Coustou
Located in Middleburg, VA
French Bronze Sculpture of Youth Wrangling a Horse by Guillaume Coustou (1677-1746). Best known for his monumental statues of horses, Coustou was the royal sculptor for Louis XIV an...
Category
16th Century French Louis XIV Antique Elisabeth Frink Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Horse Sculpture by the Mexican Artist Heriberto Jaurez
By Heriberto Juárez
Located in North Miami, FL
Offered for sale is a bronze sculpture of a rearing horse by the Mexican artist Heriberto Jaurez. Heriberto Juárez (March 16, 1932-August 26, 2008) was a self-taught Mexican sculptor...
Category
20th Century Mexican Modern Elisabeth Frink Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Vintage Bronze Asian Horse Sculpture
Located in Pasadena, TX
Elevate your home decoration with this this Stunning of vintage Dynasty style horse. Standing as a testament to intricate craftsmanship, A superb piece of folk art, featuring elegant...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Elisabeth Frink Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Etruscan Horse Sculpture in the Manner of Boris Lovet-Borski
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bronze Etruscan horse sculpture in the manner of boris lovet-borski was the form of figurative art produced by the Etruscan civilization in Northern Italy between the 9th and 2nd cen...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Elisabeth Frink Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
$9,200
H 26.75 in W 37.5 in D 6.5 in
Botero Styled Horse Sculpture in Bronze
Located in Dallas, TX
A very nice, high quality bronze horse sculpture with a gorgeous aged patina. Great for the floor, table top, fireplace mantle.
Category
Early 2000s Modern Elisabeth Frink Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Sculpture of a Horse
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Sculpture of a Horse in great vintage condition.
Measures 11" in width, 3" in depth and stands 13" in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Elisabeth Frink Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Dutch Bronze Sculpture of Horse
Located in Delft, NL
A Dutch bronze sculpture of a horse.
A bronze horse on a base, by Evert Arensman. Evert Arensman a Dutch visual artist, started weaving tape...
Category
Late 20th Century Dutch Elisabeth Frink Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Large and Heavy of Bronze Horse Sculpture
Located in Norton, MA
United States, 20th Century
Depicts a bucking horse with a flowing mane and tail-mounted on a round green marble base.
Category
20th Century American Other Elisabeth Frink Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Bronze Sculpture of a Conquered Bucking Horse
By (after) Frederic Remington
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a rare and very well done bronze sculpture depicting a cowboy who is standing in the soil and has finally conquered a bucking horse in a rodeo. T...
Category
20th Century Unknown American Classical Elisabeth Frink Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Life Size Antique Bronze Carousel Horse Sculpture
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent antique carousel horse sculpture, all original. All dimensions are below. This is a large and heavy sculpture. The weight is approx...
Category
Early 20th Century Elisabeth Frink Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Native American Sculpture on a Horse by Buck McCain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bronze Native American on a horse holding a skull to the sky by Buck McCain. Signed "M.C".
Category
Mid-20th Century American Elisabeth Frink Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Elisabeth Frink decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Elisabeth Frink decorative objects are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Liberty of London, Copeland, and Staffordshire. Prices for Elisabeth Frink decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $322,269 and can go as high as $322,269, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $322,269.