Nicholas Wells Antiques Ltd Busts

A refined white marble bust of Hermes of Olympia, inspired by the ancient original housed in the Museum of Olympia, Greece. The original sculpture is attributed to the renowned Cla...

Bust of antinous carved on white Carrara marble early 20th century. Placed on a turned base in red Levanzo marble. Measures: 35 x 20 x 12cm. Perfect condition for the age.

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Marble Bust of Augustus Caesar by Antonio Frilli. White marble bust is on a black plinth. Antonio Frilli was a Florentine sculptor who specialized in ...

This is a fine antique pair of Italian Grand Tour solid bronze busts of Dionysus  and Ariadne, circa 1860 in date. The pair feature black patinated finely cast busts which are mount...

Art Deco bronze silver plated and black patinated sculpture "Leda and the Swan" created in 1925 by the celebrated French painter and sculptor Marcel A. Bouraine. This piece was showe...

19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of Narcissus. Narcissus is shown in a moment of self-reflection, standing in a contemplative pose. His idealized form highlights his youthful...

Elegant Pair The Italian 19th Century Grand Tour Classical Greek God And Goddess Apollo And Diana Decorative Alabaster Busts For A Wonderful Library Desk Depicting Apollo Belvedere ...

SALE ONE WEEK ONLY “Leda and the Swan” is by Reuben Nakian (1897 - 1986). He was an American sculptor and teacher of Armenian extraction. His works’ recurring themes are from Greek and Roman mythology. Nakian’s small bronzes achieve majesty and power which are not dependent on size and amplitude. With characteristic freshness, he has reinterpreted the classical subject of Leda and the Swan refining it in the Classical-Renaissance-Baroque tradition in a contemporary way. Dr. Robert P. Metzger gives us his aesthetic interpretation of this work which retells the myth in classical hedonism and freedom of expression showing Leda and the Swann prior to her being ravaged and during their first meeting. “The young virgin is fascinated with her new found friend and accepts him in a spirit of playfulness, contentment and wonder. She is dreamily available and shyly seductive as the deceptively tame swan snuggles up to her with its phallic-like neck.” Leda appears composed, placid yet open and available as compared to her more intense and passionate states in other of Nakian’s depictions on the same theme. This was cast at the "Renaissance Art Foundry" in 1978 and is so marked on the base being #5 of 7. It is believed that “no other sculptor of the twentieth century matched Rueben’s heroic renditions with the grand themes of Western Art. His erotic mythological figures exude a joyous energy of gesture and movement which place them among seminal sculptural achievements of the past one hundred years.” Nakian studied at the Independent School of Art in New York City previously known as the Robert Henri School … with Homer Boss...

Beautiful 18th century marble bust of Marie-Antoinette, wear and losses consistent with age and use.

The marble bust facing frontal with her eyes looking to her right. The hair fastened in a skillfull knot behind, the drapery covers her shoulders and breasts, with another section un...

A detailed and beautifully carved marble bust of the Roman God Janus. The God of beginnings, endings, time, duality and boundaries, the openings of doorways, gates and passages. The two faces portray this duality. They are both expressively carved with different detail to the curled horns. The features are clearly carved in a expression of contemplation framed...

Carved Carrara marble bust of Augustus Caesar. Italian grand tour. Mid 19th century. #roman classical greek sculpture