Busts

19th Century Italian Marble bust of the Classical Greek philosopher Socrates. His draped robe is hand-carved in red Scagliola with the face modelled in contrasting white Carrara marb...

A Carved Marble Bust of a Nymph By Robert Physick (1815-1882) Carved from Carrara marble, the female bust signed and dated to the base "Robt Physick. Sculp : 1875." English, cir...

A charming bust of a child’s head by Edwin Whitney-Smith, dated 1910, the girl has her head slightly tilted forwards as she looks out from under a lock of hair, set on a square block signed on the reverse ‘E Whitney-Smith 1910’. This bronze is a reduction of Whitney-Smith’s original marble piece, a photograph of which survives in the V&A (object number AAD/1990/12/63). Another version can be seen in a 1920s photograph of the artist in his studio owned by the National Portrait Gallery (NPG x194201). Neither the identity of the sitter nor title of the work is known. Edwin Whitney-Smith (1880-1952) was one of the pre-eminent sculptors of his day. Born in Bristol in 1880, he became a student of William Harbutt, the headmaster of Bath School of Art, best remembered today for inventing plasticine. Whitney-Smith showed great promise from an early age, opening a studio in St John’s Wood, London, in 1910. He exhibited over 40 pieces at the Royal Academy and despite not achieving Academician status, even with list of illustrious proposers, he became a dear friend of Sir Alfred Munnings, the famous horse painter, and sculpted his portrait. He was, however, elected to the Royal Society of British Sculptors and his works were generally well-received by critics and the general public alike. Aside from the RA, he exhibited in Bristol, at the Paris Salon and the Scottish Academy and his work attracted the attention of such important patrons as the Courtauld family. One of his most famous works, The Waking Child, is in the Ferens Art Gallery in Hull and another, The Irishman, is in the Tate. One version of his bust of Ernest Bevin, the trade unionist, stands in Tooley Street in Bermondsey to this day. An article in The Sphere, published on the 3rd of May 1924, referred to the sculptor as “a well-known sculptor of smiling children” and mentioned his “famous babies’ heads”.

A pair of patinated bronze busts. French, circa 1870.

Head of a Satyr Roman, circa 2nd - 3rd century AD Carved and highly polished marble An extremely fine marble head of a satyr, depicted with ivy wreath, curly hair and pointed goat’...

A Marble Bust of a Classical Maiden Carved from statuary marble, the female bust of a coiffed lady with ribbon-tied hair flowing down her back where it joins her voluptuous dress wi...

The “Surolù” art works - this is artistic identity chosen by Vanessa Semaino - arise from the artist 's need to represent women’s condition today, particularly in their emotional sta...

The “Surolù” art works - this is artistic identity chosen by Vanessa Semaino - arise from the artist 's need to represent women’s condition today, particularly in their emotional sta...

The “Surolù” art works - this is artistic identity chosen by Vanessa Semaino - arise from the artist 's need to represent women’s condition today, particularly in their emotional sta...

The “Surolù” art works - this is artistic identity chosen by Vanessa Semaino - arise from the artist 's need to represent women’s condition today, particularly in their emotional sta...

The “Surolù” art works - this is artistic identity chosen by Vanessa Semaino - arise from the artist 's need to represent women’s condition today, particularly in their emotional sta...

The “Surolù” art works - this is artistic identity chosen by Vanessa Semaino - arise from the artist 's need to represent women’s condition today, particularly in their emotional sta...

The “Surolù” art works - this is artistic identity chosen by Vanessa Semaino - arise from the artist 's need to represent women’s condition today, particularly in their emotional sta...

The “Surolù” art works - this is artistic identity chosen by Vanessa Semaino - arise from the artist 's need to represent women’s condition today, particularly in their emotional states that confer their unique identities. These precious ceramic sculptures, entirely handcrafted and decorated, represent female Moor’s heads. They were conceived as an expression of an introspective journey that relates Vanessa’s Sicilian origins and to her professional experience in the fashion stylistic field. The artist introduces, for the first time, the repeated use of sociological themes of current relevance through a visually immediate language, represented in her art works with a contemporary pop aesthetic. “Grimilde” is an artwork that addresses the dilemma of envy within the context of the seven deadly sins, through a representation that merges the wicked characters from fairy tales into a single figure. In it, there are recognizable references to Grimhilde, the witch from “Snow White”, the Queen of Hearts from “Alice in Wonderland,” and Cruella De Vil, all aimed at portraying envy in a world dominated by social media and the constant quest for approval and affirmation. The artwork is named after the evil queen from Snow White, and her figure is made evident by the turban that frames the face, emphasizing its features and wrinkled expression. The dress, with a black and white checkered pattern with red details, evokes that of the Queen of Hearts, as seen in the large red hearts decorating the crown, replacing the traditional acanthus leaves of typical Sicilian Moorish heads...

The “Surolù” art works - this is artistic identity chosen by Vanessa Semaino - arise from the artist 's need to represent women’s condition today, particularly in their emotional sta...

The “Surolù” art works - this is artistic identity chosen by Vanessa Semaino - arise from the artist 's need to represent women’s condition today, particularly in their emotional sta...

The “Surolù” art works - this is artistic identity chosen by Vanessa Semaino - arise from the artist 's need to represent women’s condition today, particularly in their emotional sta...

The “Surolù” art works - this is artistic identity chosen by Vanessa Semaino - arise from the artist 's need to represent women’s condition today, particularly in their emotional sta...

The “Surolù” art works - this is artistic identity chosen by Vanessa Semaino - arise from the artist 's need to represent women’s condition today, particularly in their emotional sta...

The “Surolù” art works - this is artistic identity chosen by Vanessa Semaino - arise from the artist 's need to represent women’s condition today, particularly in their emotional sta...

19th Century Pair Ceramic Busts depicting the Greek figures Aphrodite and Homer, both giving the illusion of aged stone. The bust of Homer is based on a much-restored Roman copy of ...

A Plaster Cast French Bust of a Gentleman

A Fine Pair of Patinated Bronze Allegorical Busts of Autumn and Summer By Pierre-Louis Détrier. Finely modelled and cast, the busts depict young maidens allegorical of Summer and Au...

18th Century Italian Marble Bust of Caesar Augustus. His draped robe is hand-carved in red rosso levanto marble with the face modelled in contrasting white Carrara marble. The piece ...

Maurice Bouval’s "Woman with Iris" is a nude gilt bronze bust of a woman. The woman’s hair clings to her face and body as if wet. The delicate sloping...

French Art Deco period Hermes sculpture made of plaster and supported by a wood base.

Bust of Dante Alighieri from France made of Carrara marble. This hand-carved sculpture portrays a lifelike Dante, the famous Florentine writer often described as the father of the It...

19th Century Parian ware portrait bust of Roman Emperor Julius Caesar in draped toga. Parian ware is a type of biscuit porcelain which imitates the style of carved marble. Gaius Julius Caesar...

An alabaster bust of a lady wearing a bow around her neck, her large hat gently perched on her coiffed hair. Signed "A. Cipriani" Italian, circa 1900 Dimensions: H: 23 in / 59 cm |...

Alabaster Bust of an Elegant Lady Adolfo Cipriani The alabaster bust supported on a circular socle, modelled as a lady wearing a fashionable hat adorned with flowers. Signed "A. Cip...

A bronze portrait of Sir Winston Churchill by Rufus Martin, 2023 This head and shoulders bronze bust is instantly recognizable as Sir Winston Churchill. He is wearing a British Warm greatcoat with epaulettes and has a half-smoked cigar in the left hand resting on his hip. His right hand is raised in his trade mark V-for-Victory salute. Signed ‘Rufus Martin 1/12’. Sir Winston Churchill (1874 –1965) was a British politician, army officer and writer. He was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945, when he led Britain to victory in the Second World War, and again from 1951 to 1955. Churchill represented five constituencies during his career as a Member of Parliament. Ideologically an economic liberal and imperialist, for most of his career he was a member of the Conservative Party, which he led from 1940 to 1955, but from 1904 to 1924 was a member of the Liberal Party. This portrait of Churchill by Rufus Martin is striking for its juxtaposition of this famous historical subject and the free and contemporary choice of presentation. Churchill’s tenure during the Second World War infused the nation with calm and confidence, providing the British people with strong leadership during its darkest hours. Martin succeeds in portraying Churchill’s unshakeable belief in a successful outcome for the Allies through his defiant stance, unwavering gaze and Victory V gesture. Together with the recognizable “Bulldog” facial features and broad shoulders, this bust captures the subject in terms of character as well as being an accurate physical portrait . Rufus Martin trained at Wimbledon College of the Arts, London, though his aptitude for 3D design and sculpture was apparent from a very young age. His mother, a portrait painter, showed him the portrait sculptures of Augusta Savage, Jacob Epstein and Augustine Rodin, which inspired him to create a bust of his late mentor, Michael Howells. He sculpts ‘intriguing individuals, always hoping to capture some element of their past or current struggles and to create something for the good of the community they inhabit and wherever possible for posterity’ – an ambition he has most successfully fulfilled with this powerful portrait. After leaving college in 2017, with first class honours, Martin has won many prestigious prizes including the Tiranti Prize at the FACE, the Signature Art Award, the Chelsea Arts Club show for ‘Amy’, the True Blue Show, the Salmagundi Open Show, New York, Green & Stone Summer Show, the Chelsea Arts Society Summer Show, RBA Rising Stars, the Royal Cambrian Academy Open, the Binny Mathews & Sons joint show, The Next Big Thing and has been published in the Kings House...

FRENCH SCHOOL 4th qtr, 19th century Bust of Greek Warrior Patinated bronze unsigned cast circa late 19th century Item # 304KEX30P A fine ca...

Now on a Sevres porcelain socle dated 1849.

Contemporary Modernist style sculpture of a head made of composite materials resting on a black base (style of Modigiani "Tete") (signed and made by Austin Productions 1985)

Hard to find and much sought after head vase; manufactured by the Tacoma Pottery Company (U.S.A.), circa late 1950's; depicts Japanese young lady dressed in formal traditional Japane...

EMMANUEL VILLANIS French, fl. 1880-1920 "Bust of Thais" Cast signature to shoulder "E. Villanis" cold-stamped "3264" & "CB" with foundry cachet of "Societe des Bronzes de Paris" o...

This impressive bronze table bust of the Duke of Wellington is in the form of a classical tribute. He is portrayed wearing Roman leather armour, the breastplate with a central lion’s mask radiating lightning bolts. This is set on a turned socle and square plinth which in turn is raised on a curved simulated marble pedestal, with two recumbent lions above superb quality borders of classical motifs and flowerhead arabesques. The reverse states ‘Wellington L. Gahagan Fecit & Pub’d June 12. 1811’. Height: 22in (56 cm) Width: 25in (63 cm) Depth: 11in (28cm) Provenance: Major Hon Denis Gomer Berry and Lady Pamela Wellesley Berry Richard Gomer Berry, 3rd Viscount Kemsley Lawrence Gahagan (1735-1820) was born in Dublin to a family of talented stone masons and sculptors. He was based in London from around 1757 and exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy between 1798 and 1817. He was involved in a major project to help update the interiors of Castle Howard from 1801 to 1811 but he is most famous for his portrait busts. In addition to the Wellington busts...

A plaster bust of a Victorian gentleman by Boehm, this white plaster bust shows an authoritative gentleman with a moustache and whiskers wearing a high collar and bow tie with a wais...

This plaster bust of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington is a replica of the original marble portrait bust, commissioned, in 1852, by the Duke’s heir for Stratfield Saye, Hampsh...

A fine antique white marble sculpture of madame Recamier after the famous sculpture by Joseph Chinard (1756-1813). Chinard was a Frenc...

The bust resting on a red marble waisted socle, inscibed to the reverse 'DALOU 1888'. Aimé Jules Dalou (French, 1838-1902) trained at the Petite E...

A CARVED MARBLE BUST OF A CLASSICAL STATESMAN Carrara marble on separately turned socle unsigned Circa mid-to-late 19th century Item # 307FDI13Q An incredibly powerful bust of ...

A white Parianware bust of the Duke of Wellington by E W Wyon, the Duke is shown in classical draperies looking slightly to the left, the reverse impressed ‘E.W. Wyon & F,.  English,...

SET of 4 similar Italian Neo-Classic (19th Century) white marble relief busts depiction four faces framed by ornately carved hair. (PRICED AS SET) Each bust unique with slightly ...

Italian 19th century bronze bust of Augustus Ceasar, finely detailed and well patinated, standing on turned ebonized wood and marble socle plinth base.

Pair of Bronze Busts on Marble Stands of Babies, by Victor Heinrich Seifert (1870-1953)

EMMANUEL VILLANIS French, fl. 1880-1920 "Bust of Thais" Signed in cast along shoulder "E. Villanis" and cold stamped "1146" with foundry cachet of "Societe des Bronzes et Paris" ve...

Bust of Greek goddess "Artemis"; made from compressed marble composite and cast from a mold in accordance with the original example from Ephesus,...

This model is attributed to John Flaxman, Jr., a celebrated English sculptor, illustrator and designer, considered a leading artist in the Neoclassical style in England. In this expertly rendered black basalt bust...

Egyptian head of a man, carved granite. 18th Dynasty, circa 1550-1292 B.C. Carved in beautiful dark granite, this head depicts an elite individual, perha...

GRAND TOUR Italian School Pair of Busts, "Homer" & "Pseudo-Seneca", after Antiquity Patinated bronze mounted on solid marble plinths cast by Chiurazzi, Naples circa 1880 each sealed with foundry cachet on shoulder Item # 304KUV24Y A rare and exciting pair of Grand Tour busts after Antiquity, each is executed in bronze and finished in a Herculaneum black patina with hints of verde in the underlying surface by the foundry of J. Chiurazzi of Naples. Foundry seals are located on their shoulders verso. The first is a fine cast of Homer after the marble bust of Antiquity formerly in the Farnese collection and currently in the permanent collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. It depicts the aged Greek poet and author of the Illiad and the Odyssey as a bearded man dressed in a tunic with a ribbon holding back his hair while concerned wrinkles line his forehead. His eyes are empty and devoid of anything, the absence alluding to his blindness while the sheer intensity of his spirit overwhelms the viewer. His simple garment are a reminder of his poverty. The second bust known as "Pseudo Seneca" is cast after the original bust of antiquity found in 1754 at Herculaneum in the Villa of the Papyri, the home of Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, father-in-law of Julius Caesar. The estate was buried in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The bust had been thought to be an image of Lucius Annaeus Seneca - Seneca the Younger - the famous Stoic philosopher and fabulously wealthy advisor to Nero. However, after a titled bust of Seneca...

This terra-cotta sculpture no doubt depicts the bust of Roman Emperor or Senator in classical dress gazing over his left shoulder. This is a magnificently robust life size bust...

ALFREDO PINA French, 1883-1966 Bust of a Young Man Lost-wax cast medium-brown patinated bronze over solid verde marble plinth signed in cast "A. Pina" and sealed with cachet "cire...

Roman Marble Head of Sophocles Circa 1st-2nd Century Marble This fine Roman marble head preserves the proper left side of the face of a middle-aged man, with broad nose, soft lips, and bearded chin. The short beard and sideburns have been finely carved with a flat chisel, to render the soft, wavy strands of hair. The cheekbone, undereye, and nasolabial folds have been delicately modelled in the marble by a skilled hand. In a letter from 1975, the former director of Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen, suggested that the head could depict the Ancient Greek tragedian Sophocles. Few figures in the Classical world stand aside Sophocles (c. 496-406 BC), inarguably the best known of the Athenian tragedians, in terms of the impact his works have had on the history of art and literature. The psychological depth he achieves in the seven of the 123 of his plays that have survived to the present day - most notably the three Theban plays: Antigone, Oedipus the King, and Oedipus at Colonus - not only inspired the Athenians, among whom Sophocles was honoured as a hero long after his death, but in our own time, have provoked landmark works on phychoanalysis and literary criticism, by thinkers like René Girard and, most famously, Sigmund Freud. In its masterful treatment of the marble this fragment sensitively captures the features of one of the most important playwrights of all time. Height on stand: 7.9 inches (20 cm). Provenance: Collection of Danish sculptor Jens Adolf Jerichau...

A Victorian white painted terracotta bust of a young woman, wearing a draped shawl over a bodice with a lace trim, her hair elaborately coiffed with a broad plait and multiple ringle...

Pair of German Bronze Busts of Schiller and Goethe, circa 1880.

The bust of Napoleon with a medallion detailed with Medusa's head over his shoulder behind an eagle and its outstreched wings and with a palm tree on the back. Marked Eneret on the b...

Marked Minerva on the verso.