Leonard Wells Volk was a famous American sculptor. He made several large monumental sculptures, including the tomb of the politician Stephen A. Douglas, and statues of American Civil War figures. From 1855–57, Stephen A. Douglas, his wife's cousin, supported the family's travel to Rome so that Volk could pursue additional study. Returning to the United States in 1857, Volk and his family settled in the booming city of Chicago, where he helped to establish the Chicago Academy of Design in 1867 and served as its president until 1878. The Chicago Academy of Design was a precursor to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. For eight years, he served as its director and taught numerous students, including Elbridge Ayer Burbank, who became noted for his more than 1200 portraits of Native Americans. In 1860, Volk made one of the only two life masks of the United States President, Abraham Lincoln after which, he went to posterity. In the early part of spring 1860, during Lincoln's visit to Chicago, Volk asked him to sit for a bust. He decided to start by doing a life mask to eliminate the need for several sittings. Lincoln found the process of letting wet plaster dry on his face, followed by a skin-stretching removal process, anything but agreeable. But he maintained good humor and was pleased with the final bust. He declared it the animal himself. Volk later used the life mask and bust of 1860 as the basis for other versions of Lincoln, including a full-size statue. The life mask was also studied by other artists, such as Daniel Chester French.
Life Mask of Abraham Lincoln
By Leonard Wells Volk
Located in London, GB
Leonard Wells Volk was a famous American sculptor. He went to posterity after making one of only two life masks of United States President Abraham Lincoln. I...
Plaster
The Gleaner
By Aimé-Jules Dalou
Located in London, England
Aimé-Jules Dalou (1838-1902) was one of only a handful of leading late-nineteenth century French Sculptors, whose reputation was perhaps second only to his contemporaries, Henri Chap...
Bronze
$400
H 1.5 in W 6 in D 0.5 in
Vintage Moth I (Made-to-order, Hand-Painted, Gold Luster, Vintage Imagery)
By Melanie Sherman
Located in Kansas City, MO
Melanie Sherman Vintage Moth I (Hand-Painted, Gold Luster, Vintage Imagery) Porcelain, Glaze, Overglaze, Chinapaints, 24k German Gold Luster Year: 2025 Size: 4.5 x 6 x 0.5 inches Sig...
Luster, Porcelain, Paint, Glaze
Antique Italian Majolica Centerpiece with Mermaids
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical 19th century Italian hand decorated glazed earthenware centerpiece crafted in a fantasy composition with seashells and mermaids.
Earthenware
Whirling Dervish
By Franz Bergmann
Located in Nr Broadway, Worcestershire
Franz Xavier Bergman Austrian, (1861-1936) Whirling Dervish Bronze, cold painted, signed 'B' in a vase Height: 6¾ inches Width: 2 inches Depth: 2 inch...
Bronze
$6,750
H 18 in Dm 11 in
Antique Austrian Orientalist Majolica Figural Pedestal by Gerbing & Stephen
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout 19th century majolica pedestal handcrafted in terra cotta. In an orientalist theme with a woman and an ostrich under a palm tree, decorated and glazed. Signed G & S 1847 on ...
Terracotta
Pair of Antique English Staffordshire Poodle Figures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Amusing true pair of 19th century English Staffordshire porcelain poodle figures hand decorated and featuring a confetti coat.
Porcelain
Griselda
Located in London, England
Alfred Drury's (1856-1944) body of work locates him as a leading figure in the New Sculpture movement, yet his position as an innovator and conduit betwee...
Bronze
$10,700
H 31.5 in W 11.5 in D 8.5 in
Pair of Large Antique Orientalist Bronze Figural Sculptures or Statues
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Fine pair of 19th century Austrian bronze figural sculptures, a male and female in classic Bedouin attire and active stance, both cold paint and gilt decorated now with a charming ti...
Bronze
$400
H 0.5 in W 6 in D 4.25 in
Vintage Moth II (Hand-Painted, Gold Luster, Vintage Imagery)
By Melanie Sherman
Located in Kansas City, MO
Melanie Sherman Vintage Moth II (Hand-Painted, Gold Luster, Vintage Imagery) Porcelain, Glaze, Overglaze, Chinapaints, 24k German Gold Luster Year: 2025 Size: 4.5 x 6 x 0.5 inches Si...
Luster, Porcelain, Paint, Glaze
Antique Staffordshire Double Musical Figures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Unusual 19th century English Staffordshire musical figures crafted in porcelain and hand decorated depicting a female figure with an accordion and a male with a barrel piano.
Porcelain
The Worker
By Aimé-Jules Dalou
Located in London, England
Aimé-Jules Dalou (1838-1902) was one of only a handful of leading late-nineteenth century French Sculptors, whose reputation was perhaps second only to his contemporaries, Henri Chap...
Bronze
The Picker
By Aimé-Jules Dalou
Located in London, England
Aimé-Jules Dalou (1838-1902) was one of only a handful of leading late-nineteenth century French Sculptors, whose reputation was perhaps second only to his contemporaries, Henri Chap...
Bronze