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Bronze Decorative Objects

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Material: Bronze
Monique Gerber Stamped Gilt Bronze Free Form Vide-Poche, circa 1970, France
Located in Brussels, BE
Nice Monique Gerber free-form vide-poche, circa 1970, France. Stamped M.G France. Polished gilt bronze. Vintage collector item. Dimensions: 16 cm W, 9 cm D, 4 cm H. All purchases are...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Pair Life-Size Bronze Stags Deer Statues 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an absolutely stunning pair of enormous life-size bronze stags, dating from the last quarter of the 20th century. They stand listening carefully with perked up ears and impo...
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20th Century Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Bronze Horse Statuette on Granite Base with Detailed Musculature
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite French bronze horse statuette from the 20th century is an undeniable example of fine craftsmanship, prominently displayed on a sophisticated granite base. The statuett...
Category

20th Century French Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Austrian Pair Art Deco Mounted Bronze Maiden Head Bookends
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning pair Austrian attributed Art Deco bronze bookends modeled as maidens heads dating from the 1920/30's. The heads are mounted by two screws on a s...
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1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Early 20th Century Art Deco Sculpture entitled "Printemps" by Joe Descomps
Located in London, GB
An entrancing Art Deco cold painted gilt bronze figure of a naked beauty wearing an oversized coat loosely draped to show her attractive figure, the bronze with excellent colour and ...
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Early 20th Century French Art Deco Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Gilt Bronze Cherubim Putti Wall Ornament Appliqué
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely antique 19th Century French gilded bronze doré farandole of cherubs / putti wall swag ornament. This beautiful wall swag has a beautiful gilt patina...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI Style Bronze Wall Clock Retailed By Tiffany
Located in Essex, MA
With a floral bow over an enameled clock face signed Tiffany And Co. Set in a conforming bronze case with leaf and floral decoration.
Category

1890s French Louis XVI Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

A Quality Victorian Marble Mantle Clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
A quality Victorian Marble mantle clock with black Roman numerals with a white enamel face, the bronzed figural case surmounted by an Elizabeth...
Category

Early 19th Century Victorian Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

The Mountain Man Bronze Sculpture by Federic Remington
Located in Dallas, TX
This listing features a bronze lost wax cast sculpture of a mountain man on a rocky mountain with his horse, likely part of the fur trade, which reached its peak in the 1830s and 184...
Category

Early 20th Century American American Colonial Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Russel Wright General Electric & Harkerware Ceramic Coral Hanging Wall Clock
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Russel Wright Harkerware Ceramic and General Electric Hanging Wall Clock. Featuring a rounded square and concave Coral Ceramic Front with glazed Off White Ceramic surround and back....
Category

1950s American Modern Vintage Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Iron

French Art Deco Gilt Bronze & Jade Hardstone Frame, Paris Circa 1930
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Art Deco Gilt Bronze and Jade Hardstone Frame, Paris, Circa 1930 An exceptional French Art Deco gilt bronze and jade hardstone frame from Paris, circa 1930. This frame stands...
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Bronze

Bronze Torso Sculpture
Located in Richmond, VA
Solid, abstract bronze sculpture of a female figure. Cast in a weighty form with a rough-hewn, faceted surface and deep olive patina with traces of verdigris. The stylized torso emph...
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Mid-20th Century Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Shangaan Bronze Bust by Anton van Wouw, 1907
Located in London, GB
Shangaan Bronze Bust by Anton van Wouw, 1907 – Powerful Portrait of a Migrant Labourer Cast by G. Nisini, Rome. bronze 30cm by 20c, by 15cm (including base) ...
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Early 1900s English Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Bronze Vase Early 20th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
Tall Bronze Vase, Japan, Early 20th Century. This is a very beautiful eared vase / urn in bronze from Japan. Probably early 20th century. From a hig...
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Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique English Bronze Dog Inkwell, King Charles Spaniel, c.1880
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome Victorian novelty inkwell, cast in bronze in the form of a King Charles Spaniel, beautifully executed with two lovely glass eyes. The underside is inscribed with a roma...
Category

1880s European Late Victorian Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Massive 1880 Antique Ormolu Bronze Enameled Automaton Musical Bracket Clock
Located in Danville, CA
Massive 1880 Antique Ormolu Bronze Enameled Automaton Musical Bracket Clock An important, exhibition quality ormolu bronze bracket clock of massive proportions, the case decorated in Champlevé enamels and a variety of cast decorative elements that include a large urn and four full columns topped by acanthus buds, ladies faces on all four columns, egg and dart trim, four large detailed paw feet. The arched door with beveled glass opens to the clock face topped by an iridescent bird automaton within a painted diorama framed...
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Late 19th Century German Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Early 20th Century Pug Dog Musician Austrian Vienna Bronze Miniature Figure
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1910s Vienna bronze figurine. This polychromed cold painted bronze is probably something you need if you’re a Vienna bronze collector. Found at an estate sale in Vienna...
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Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair Antique Art Nouveau Figurative Gilt Silvered Bronze Vases by Auguste Moreau
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Finest quality casting antique Art Nouveau period gilt bronze vases by Auguste Moreau (French, 1934-1917) with finely cast figures of cherubs with silvered patinas, and roug...
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Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Vienna bronze, penguin, high-quality bronze figurine. Austria, circa 1900/1910s.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Vienna bronze, penguin, high-quality bronze figurine. Presumably by Franz Bergmann. In excellent condition with a nice patina. Austria, circa 1900/1910s. Dimensions: Height 27 mm x W...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Famille Rose Medalion Canton Cantonese Chinese Porcelain Ormolu Vase Urn
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning and very large Chinese Canton famille verte ormolu mounted porcelain vase of museum quality, from the city of Canton, is decorated in the so-called Famille Verte manner, mid...
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19th Century Chinese Early Victorian Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Louis XVI Style Putto Ormolu Patinated Bronze and Marble Candlestick
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This French candleholder, in the style of Clodion, is mounted on white statuary Carrara marble. The patinated putto holds a candle support of flowering acanthus leaves. Circular and rectangular marble shapes...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

Pair of Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Figural Candelabras
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and White Marble Figural Two-Branch Candelabra, late 19th century, each with a standing cherub upholding a rose entwined twin branch, on marble pl...
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Late 19th Century European Neoclassical Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Celebration Pot, Indian, Bronze, Diwali Vase, Ganesh, Lakshmi, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique celebration pot. An Indian, bronze Diwali vase depicting Ganesha and Lakshmi, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Wonderfully presented antique bo...
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Mid-19th Century Indian Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Solid Bronze Scorpio, circa 1950s
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Decorative and artful solid bronze scorpio with fine wire legs and detailed face with eyes. The ends of the claws are decorated with leaf-like ornaments. Very nice patina. Probably f...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Mid-Century Modern Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Gold Silk Moiré and Bronze Picture Frame with Garlands
Located in Toronto, ON
Capture your memories in this French antique bronze picture frame with garlands and gold silk moiré. Accepts one 4" x 6" photograph.
Category

Early 20th Century French Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Quality Antique Chinese Bronze Vase
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality antique Chinese bronze vase having a quality ornate Chinese decorated bronze vase featuring a blossom tree, oriental male figure an...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco "Elegante Aux Biches" on Alabaster Base signed D.Constan by Chiparus
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Art Deco sculpture, titled “Élégante Aux Biches,” is an iconic work by Demétre Chiparus, one of the most celebrated artists of the period. Cast in detailed bronze and ...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Alabaster, Bronze

Set of Three Large Mid-Century Bronze Japanese Geisha Figurines
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool set of three 9.5" tall bronze Japanese geisha figurines, circa 1960s. The pieces are very heavy and solid and have a gorgeous dark patina; they would make a great mid-cen...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

La Sirène au Bateau (The mermaid with the boat) by Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
La Sirène au Bateau (The mermaid with the boat) by Line Vautrin, silvered bronze box. Silvered bronze box whose lid is decorated with a Mermaid carrying a boat at arm’s length. This ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Hand-Cast Polished Bronze Indian Bowl, Vide-Poche
Located in London, GB
Charming and elegant bronze Indian decorative bowl, vide-poche. The piece is entirely handcrafted with great skills and talent. Cast using very traditional techniques, the bowl is p...
Category

2010s Indian Organic Modern Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

German Bronze Nude Male Archer, Emil Dittler (1868-1902)
By Emil Dittler
Located in Petaluma, CA
This German nude strongman archer is one of the finest examples of a nude male figure that I have seen in my 50 years of selling antique bronzes. His musculature is perfect and rema...
Category

Early 1900s German Beaux Arts Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Italian Grand Tour 19th C. Bronze Statue of Silenus Cradling Infant Dionysus
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Italian Grand Tour 19th Century Bronze Statue of Silenus Cradling the Infant Dionysus Very fine bronze statue of Silenus and the infant Dionysus. This well cast figure of Silenus is...
Category

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Crystal And Bronze Box
Located in Clearwater, FL
Elegant French jewelry box crafted from heavy lead crystal and mounted in ornate bronze on ball feet. This finely detailed vanity casket features exceptional clarity and weight, embo...
Category

Early 20th Century French Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Charming Antique Bronze Seated Dachshund Figure
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A charming quality antique bronze figure of a seated Dachshund, possibly Austrian and dating from the second half of the 19th century. The sculpture is beautifully modelled and detai...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Late Victorian Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Art Deco Bronze Dancing Girl After Chiparus Mid 20th C
Located in London, GB
This is an eye-catching Vintage Art Deco Revival bronze dancing girl dating from the mid 20th century. This beautiful piece is a 20th Century recast of a sculpture created by the famous Romanian sculptor Demetre Chiparus. Made by the classical lost wax, or 'cire perdue', method, the stautue stands on a black marble base. Condition: In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 50 x Width 22 x Depth 16 & Weight 6 kg Dimensions in inches: Height 1 foot, 8 inches x Width 9 inches x Depth 6 inches & Weight 13.2 lbs Lost Wax Method sometimes called by the French name of cire perdue or the Latin, cera perduta is the process by which a bronze or brass is cast from an artists sculpture. In industrial uses, the modern process is called investment casting. An ancient practice, the process today varies from foundry to foundry, but the steps which are usually used in casting small bronze sculptures in a modern bronze foundry are generally quite standardised. Demetre H. Chiparus was born in Romania in 1886, attended school in Italy, then, shortly before World War I moved to Paris. He attended school at the Ecole des Beaux Arts under two talented sculptors Anonin Mercier and Jean Boucher, who provided him the opportunity to learn the trade. He later began to experiment with small bronze sculptures and produce small bronze works, exhibiting his small sculptures and, in 1914, was awarded an honorable mention at the Salon of the Societe des Artistes Francais. Many of Paris’ most affluent began to take notice of his work after World War One and the demand for his sculptures quickly increased. Chiparus was captivated by dancers, in particular influenced by Diaghiley’s Ballets Russes and Leon Bakst’s stage designs. A few of his famous sculptures were Starfish Dancer...
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1950s Art Deco Vintage Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Jonathon Bonner Bronze floor Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large Jonathon Bonner Sculpture Subtle Verdi Gris Patina Pivoting Leaf Form top The base is not original to the sculpture (the sculpture was originally outdoors and secured to a po...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Tibetan Amitayus Buddha
Located in Somis, CA
The beautiful bronze sculpture is of The Tibetan Amitayus, the Bodhissatva/Buddha of infinite life. Adorned with necklaces, crown and sashes decorated with rosettes, pearls and medal...
Category

20th Century Tibetan Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Important Monumental Art Nouveau Ormolu-Mounted Ceramic "Exhibition" Vase
Located in Queens, NY
An Important and Monumental Art Nouveau Ormolu-Mounted Ceramic "Exhibition" Vase, C. 1895 This important and monumental vase was done by four different artists in the late 19th century: Alphonse Adolphe Lamarre, French, 1837 - 1912 (Artist who designed the vase) Paul Louchet, French (founder of bronze mounts) (Founder) Charles Pillivuyt Porcelain Manufactory, French, Paris, 1853 - 1922 (Manufacturer) Louis Chalon, French, born 1866 (modeler of mounts) (Modeler) "An Art Nouveau Collaboration" The vase in this case is an exceptional example of the collaboration between numerous artists during the late 19th century. The ceramic was made by Alphone Adolphe Lamarre (1837-1922) for the Charles Pillivuyt Porcelain Manufactory; the gilded bronze mounts, modeled by sculptor Louis Chalon and cast by Paul Louchet. Spectacularly mounted naturalist vase; the base dressed and balustered, the neck finished in double openwork bulb, the surface describing sinuous reliefs. Polychrome glazed ceramic in Beige, blue, and green. The shoulder is decorated with a gilded bronze roundel with five ormolu bronze female...
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Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Susse Freres Coq Français Chantant French Bronze Rooster Sculpture af. Aug. Cain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine French bronze figural rooster sculpture. Entitled "Coq Français Chantant" (French Rooster Crowing). Modeled by Auguste-Nicolas Cain (b. 1821 - b. 1894), the renowned French ...
Category

20th Century French Belle Époque Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Egyptian Revival Mantle Clock Retailed By Tiffany & Company
Located in Essex, MA
A TIFFANY & CO. EGYPTIAN REVIVAL MANTLE CLOCK, AMERICAN, 1880s, a bronze ormolu and marble clock made by L. Marti et Cie for Tiffany & Company, marked on clock face, "Tiffany & Co." ...
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1880s French Egyptian Revival Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Large brutalist bronze bowl , 1970s
Located in Delft, NL
Large brutalist bronze bowl , 1970s
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Bronze Art Deco Diana Artemis Goddess Greyhound Hunt Sculpture
Located in Dayton, OH
A large and impressive vintage art deco style bronze and brass nude figural sculpture of the Greek / Roman goddess of the hunt Artemis / Diana, sho...
Category

Late 20th Century Art Deco Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Large Art Deco Bronze 'Bender' Sculpture by J. de Roncourt, France circa 1930
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful, very large Art Deco Bronze Sculpture depicting a muscular man bending an iron stem by J. de Roncourt from France about 1930. * Bronze (stamped), dark patinated * Signature...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Timeless Elegance: Bronze Sculpture 'Solitario' by Jordi Abad, 20th Century
Located in Barcelona, ES
Artist: Jordi Abad (Barcelona, 20th Century) Title: Solitario Material: Gilded Bronze on Veined Black Marble Base Dimensions: 32 x 7 x 7 cm (with base) Signed and...
Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Cronier Paris Louis XVI Period Gilt Bronze Wall Clock France
Located in New York, NY
A rare and important Louis XVI clock by Cronier, Paris, France circa 1790. Crafted in fire-gilt bronze with a round convex white enamel face with black Roman numerals for the hours A...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

“Angel”- Bronze by Frederick Hart 1992 #76/350
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
“Angel"—Bronze by Frederick Hart, 1992, #76/350 "Angel" by Frederick Hart, created in 1992, is one of the most sought-after sculptures by this renowned American artist. This limited...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Art Deco Odeon Chrome & Bronze 8 Day Clock, c1930
Located in Devon, England
Very impressive odeon shaped 1930's Art Deco Bronze & chrome 8 day clock. Superb condition, just some mild corrosion to some areas of the chrome as you could expect from a period pie...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Chrome

Cast Bronze Decorative Leaf Vide Poche, Medium
Located in London, GB
Elegant handmade cast bronze leaf in a polished bronze finish. They may be used as a bowl or just a beautiful decorative object. Each of these splend...
Category

2010s Indian Organic Modern Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Large 18th Century French Louis XV Gilt Bronze Boulle inlaid Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
Very large (40 inch tall) ormolu bronze mantel clock from the Louis XV period with Boulle style inlaid brass and enamel decorations with original pendulum. By the Paris maker, Denis ...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Louis Comfort Tiffany Furnaces Bronze and Favrile Glass Candlestick, 1920s
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze and blue favrile glass candlestick holder in the form of an urn By Louis Comfort Tiffany Furnaces, Inc. New York, USA, Early 20th...
Category

1920s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Sculpture of a Huntsman With Hound
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Large Hunting Bronze Statue, The Huntsman. An impressive large vintage bronze sculpture of a huntsman and hound. The hunting hound has caught the...
Category

20th Century Unknown Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Austrian Naughty Bronze, Girl's Dress Lifts Up ca.1920, by Bergman Foundry
Located in Petaluma, CA
This wonderful, whimsical, and naughty bronze by the Bergman Foundry is a real joy. Highly detailed casting and meticulously painted bronze has the added feature of a toy, you can p...
Category

1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Modernist Bronze Sculpture by Bengt Malmquist
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A wonderful bronze sculpture by Bengt Malmquist titled Trädet. Great patina and form with very organic nature. Would make a great addition for any collector.
Category

1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Otterburn Chess Table — Solid Hand-Patinated Brass and Walnut — Made in Britain
Located in Washington, GB
Commissioned by a special client as the perfect stage for their chess battles, this table is a showcase of NOVOCASTRIAN’s creative ability, of almost 10 years of experimentation, ref...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Brass, Bronze, Copper, ...

Tiffany Studios New York Pine Needle Bronze and Green Slag Glass Picture Frame
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and outstanding antique Arts & Crafts period large picture frame By Tiffany Studios (signed to the back) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Patinated bronze in iconic pine n...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Large Minimalist Two Tone Brass & Bronze Vase / Candle Holder by Michael Aram
Located in San Diego, CA
A large minimalist two tone brass and bronze vase / candle holder signed by Michael Aram, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with a nice patina and measures 11....
Category

Late 20th Century American Minimalist Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Bronze

'The Kiss' a Superb Art Deco Bronze Sculpture by Bruno Zach Circa 1925
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
An Art Deco patinated bronze sculpture of a kissing couple in passionate embrace. Signed Zach to bronze and set over original marble base. Dimensions: H 32cm W 14cm D 13cm Origin...
Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Grand Tour 'Néo-Grec' Gilt Bronze Vases, Attributed, F. Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Grand Tour 'Néo-Grec' gilt bronze vases, Attributed, F. Barbedienne Each one with typical all over decoration, with applied handles with lion masks. Unmarked. Each vase sta...
Category

Late 19th Century French Grand Tour Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Rare Swedish Grace Bronze Sculpture. Sweden, 1930s.
By Herman Bergman, Carl Milles, Carl I.E.C. Rasmussen
Located in Malmö, SE
Beautifully sculpted, cast and finished, this 1920s Swedish Grace relief sculpture is made from bronze and has an amazing patina. It was made in Sweden by an unknown artist. Art Deco...
Category

1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Rare and important painted bronze Crucifix after a model by Michelangelo
By Michelangelo Buonarroti
Located in Leesburg, VA
A rare and very fine bronze corpus of Christ after a model by Michelangelo, cast ca. 1597-1600 by Juan Bautista Franconio and painted in 1600 by Francisco Pacheco in Seville, Spain. The present corpus reproduces a model attributed to Michelangelo. The best known example, lesser in quality, is one on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). The association of this corpus with Michelangelo was first brought to light by Manuel Gomez-Moreno (1930-33) who studied the wider circulated casts identified throughout Spain. The attribution to Michelangelo was subsequently followed by John Goldsmith-Phillips (1937) of the MET and again by Michelangelo expert, Charles de Tolnay (1960). While Michelangelo is best known for his monumental works, there are four documented crucifixes he made. The best known example is the large-scale wooden crucifix for the Church of Santa Maria del Santo Spirito in Florence, made in 1492 as a gift for the Prior, Giovanni di Lap Bicchiellini, for allowing him to study the anatomy of corpses at the hospital there. In 1562, Michelangelo wrote two letters to his nephew, Lionardo, indicating his intention to carve a wooden crucifix for him. In 1563 a letter between Lionardo and the Italian sculptor Tiberio Calcagni, mentions this same crucifix (a sketch of a corpus on the verso of a sheet depicting Michelangelo’s designs for St. Peter’s Basillica [Palais des Beaux-Arts in Lille] may reproduce this). That Michelangelo was working on small corpora in the last years of his life is further evidenced by the small (26.5 cm) unfinished wooden crucifix located at the Casa Buonarroti, considered his last known sculptural undertaking. Michelangelo’s contemporary biographer, Giorgio Vasari additionally cites that Michelangelo, in his later years, made a small crucifix for his friend, Menighella, as a gift. Surviving sketches also indicate Michelangelo’s study of this subject throughout his career, most notably during the end of his life but also during the 1530s-40s as he deepened his spiritual roots. The occasional cameo of crucified Christ’s throughout his sketched oeuvre have made it challenging for scholars to link such sketches to any documented commissions of importance. All the while, in consideration that such objects were made as gifts, it is unlikely they should be linked with commissions. Nonetheless, a number of theories concerning Michelangelo’s sketches of Christ crucified have been proposed and some may regard the origin of the present sculpture. It has been suggested that the corpus could have its impetus with Michelangelo’s work on the Medici Chapel, whose exclusive design was given to the master. It is sensible smaller details, like an altar cross, could have fallen under his responsibility (see for example British Museum, Inv. 1859,0625.552). Others have noted the possibility of an unrealized large marble Crucifixion group which never came to fruition but whose marble blocks had been measured according to a sheet at the Casa Buonarroti. A unique suggestion is that Michelangelo could have made the crucifix for Vittoria Colonna, of whom he was exceedingly fond and with whom he exchanged gifts along with mutual spiritual proclivities. In particular, Vittoria had an interest in the life of St. Bridget, whose vision of Christ closely resembles our sculpture, most notably with Christ’s proper-left leg and foot crossed over his right, an iconography that is incredibly scarce for crucifixes. The suggestion could add sense to Benedetto Varchi’s comment that Michelangelo made a sculpted “nude Christ…he gave to the most divine Marchesa of Pescara (Vittoria Colonna).” Of that same period, two sketches can be visually linked to our sculpture. Tolnay relates it to a sketch of a Crucified Christ at the Teylers Museum (Inv. A034) of which Paul Joannides comments on its quality as suggestive of preparations for a sculptural work. Joannides also calls attention to a related drawing attributed to Raffaello da Montelupo copying what is believed to be a lost sketch by Michelangelo. Its relationship with our sculpture is apparent. Montelupo, a pupil of Michelangelo’s, returned to Rome to serve him in 1541, assisting with the continued work on the tomb of Pope Julius II, suggesting again an origin for the corpus ca. 1540. The earliest firm date that can be given to the present corpus is 1574 where it appears as a rather crudely conceived Crucifixion panel, flanked by two mourners in low-relief and integrally cast for use as the bronze tabernacle door to a ciborium now located at the Church of San Lorenzo in Padula. Etched in wax residue on the back of the door is the date, 27 January 1574, indicating the corpus would have at least been available as a model by late 1573. The Padula tabernacle was completed by Michelangelo’s assistant, Jacopo del Duca and likely has its origins with Michelangelo’s uncompleted tabernacle for the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Rome. The impetus for the Padula tabernacle’s Crucifixion panel begins with a series of late Crucifixion sketches by Michelangelo, depicting a scene of Christ crucified and flanked by two mourners (see British Museum Inv. 1895.0915.510; Ashmolean Museum Inv. 1846.89, KP II 343 recto; Windsor Castle RCIN 912761 recto; and Louvre Inv. 700). A faintly traced block possibly intended for sculpting the sketch of the crucified Christ on its recto was discovered by Tolnay on a version of the composition at Windsor Castle. The Windsor sketch and those related to it appear to have served as preparatory designs for what was probably intended to become the Basilica of St. Mary’s tabernacle door. Vasari documents that the project was to be designed by Michelangelo and cast by his assistant, Jacopo del Duca. Michelangelo died before the commission was complete, though on 15 March 1565, Jacopo writes to Michelangelo’s nephew stating, “I have started making the bronze tabernacle, depending on the model of his that was in Rome, already almost half complete.” Various circumstances interrupted the completion of the tabernacle, though its concept is later revitalized by Jacopo during preparations to sell a tabernacle, after Michelangelo’s designs, to Spain for Madrid’s El Escorial almost a decade later. The El Escorial tabernacle likewise encountered problems and was aborted but Jacopo successfully sold it shortly thereafter to the Carthusians of Padula. An etched date, 30 May 1572, along the base of the Padula tabernacle indicates its framework was already cast by then. A 1573 summary of the tabernacle also describes the original format for the door and relief panels, intended to be square in dimension. However, a last minute decision to heighten them was abruptly made during Jacopo’s negotiations to sell the tabernacle to King Phillip II of Spain. Shortly thereafter the commission was aborted. Philippe Malgouyres notes that the Padula tabernacle’s final state is a mixed product of the original design intended for Spain’s El Escorial, recycling various parts that had already been cast and adding new quickly finished elements for its sale to Padula, explaining its unusually discordant quality, particularly as concerns the crudeness of the door and relief panels which were clearly made later (by January 1574). Apart from his own admission in letters to Spain, it is apparent, however, that Jacopo relied upon his deceased master’s designs while hastily realizing the Padula panels. If Michelangelo had already earlier conceived a crucifix model, and Jacopo had access to that model, its logical he could have hastily employed it for incorporation on the door panel to the tabernacle. It is worth noting some modifications he made to the model, extending Christ’s arms further up in order to fit them into the scale of the panel and further lowering his chin to his chest in order to instill physiognomic congruence. A crude panel of the Deposition also follows after Michelangelo’s late sketches and is likewise known by examples thought to be modifications by Jacopo based upon Michelangelo’s initial sculptural conception (see Malgouyres: La Deposition du Christ de Jacopo del Duca, chef-d’oeuvre posthume de Michel-Ange). Jacopo’s appropriation of an original model by Michelangelo for more than one relief on the Padula tabernacle adds further indication that the crucifix was not an object unique to Jacopo’s hand, as few scholars have posited, but rather belongs to Michelangelo’s original...
Category

16th Century Renaissance Antique Bronze Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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