Carrara Marble Busts

A sculpture in precious white Carrara marble reproducing the Torso Gaddi, the famous fragmentary sculpture displayed in the Uffizi Museums in Florence, which inspired many great arti...

Sculpture, Female torso, classical art, Greek art, Torso, white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, ancient torso, Venus torso, Greek art, Roman art Female torso carved on beautiful...

An antique Italian torso of a Roman male in hand carved Carrara marble and mounted onto a black marble base, in good condition. The Italian décor represe...

Masterfully carved & most impressive Italian Vanitas bust in solid marble from late 19th century. White Carrara marble skull combined with a Belgian...

Masterfully carved Italian Vanitas / Memento Mori bust in solid marble from late 19th century. White Carrara marble skull combined with masterfully...

This finely executed bust of a Naiad is attributed to the neoclassical sculptor John Gibson (1790 – 1866). A Naiad was a type of mythological water nymph and is depicted here with her head bowed and cocked slightly to the side, displaying her strong neo-Hellenistic profile. In her hair, the nymph wears a headdress that is comprised of long and slender reed leaves, which not only identifies her iconographically as a water spirit, but draws a close comparison with those worn by the female figures in John Gibson’s Hylas Surprised by the Naiades (1827 - 1837) (fig.1). The downwards and off-centre orientation of our Naiad bust mirrors that of the taller figure on the left of the group, who rests her cheek on the head young Hylas (fig.2) Her facial physiognomy follows the neo-Hellenistic archetype established by Gibson and can be closely compared with his Tinted Venus – one of the most important statues of the Victorian era (1851–56, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool) (fig.3). While Gibson’s Tinted Venus is known best for its controversial polychrome ‘tinting’, the essential structure of the face—broad brow, finely drawn nose, wide (and slightly drooping) almond-shaped eyes - provided a template that Gibson returned to repeatedly in his depiction of mythological maidens. Critics of the time noted the consistency of his female types, with some seeing their idealised severity as an antidote to the sentimentality of much mid-Victorian sculpture (fig.4 – 6). The facial physiognomy is also very similar to a drawing by Gibson at the Royal Academy that depicts Hero weeping over the dead body of Leander (fig.7). The socle style of the present work also finds comparisons with Gibsons busts of Cupid and Aurora. This was of course somewhat standardised, but it is interesting to note the extent of their similarity with our bust. John Gibson RA is considered by many to be the greatest British sculptor of the nineteenth century working in the Neoclassical style. It is hard to overestimate the impact Rome had on the life and art of the artist. He first arrived in the city around 1817, when he was just twenty-six, and remained a resident there until his death. Not only did Rome’s ancient sculptural treasures and architectural fragments offer Gibson a lifetime of inspiration, but the Grand Tourists who poured into Rome in the first half of the nineteenth century provided him with many commercial opportunities. These rich or aristocratic travellers sought out mythological sculptures for their grand, palatial residences. However, since the papal decrees of Doria Pamphilj and Pacca of 1803 banned the export of ancient Greek and Roman works of art from Rome, there was a large demand for modern idealised sculpture in the Neoclassical style (Frasca-Rath 2016, p. 10). During his early days in the city he had the great fortune to train under both Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen (Roscoe and Hardy 2009, p. 522). He referred continuously to Canova as his “master”, particularly in his memoirs, which he dictated to Margarete Sandbach at the beginning of the 1850s; these were subsequently published by Lady Eastlake in 1870. Moreover, he claimed to be Canova’s last pupil in a letter to Antonio Gacini, Secretary of the Royal Academy in Milan in 1861, written to thank the Academy for accepting him as an Honorary Member: “The first instruction which I received in my art was from an Italian. It was Canova whose pupil I became in the year 1817 and studied under him for five years when he died. I was his last pupil” (Royal Academy Archive GI/1376). By 1821, Gibson had established his own studio in the via Fontanella, off the via Babuino. From here he aimed to produce sculpture of “the sublime and the purest beauty”, believing that the sculptor’s role was to select and combine the most beautiful parts of nature to create a harmonious whole, which would delight and elevate the viewer. By the mid nineteenth century he was one of the few remaining exponents of the so-called ‘pure’ and ‘neo Hellenistic’ style of sculpture, resolutely upholding the Neoclassical ideals established by Wincklemann, in a period when naturalism and modern subjects preoccupied the majority of artists in Europe (Turner, ed., 1996, p. 598). Gibson was convinced of the importance of disseminating artistic ideas through the younger generations, an ideal no doubt impressed upon him by Canova, and established ‘the British Academy of Arts in Rome’. His students included William Theed (1804–1891), Benjamin Spence (1822–1866), Harriet Hosmer...

Beautiful marble bust of a young child. This statue is hand cut from Carrara marble. This statue dates from circa 1930, from the modernist Art Deco period. The beautiful, smooth fa...

FILLI PUGI Italian, fl. 19th century Bust of the Capitoline Antinous after Antiquity Carved Carrara Marble signed verso “Filli Pugi Firenze” executed circa late 19th century Ite...

Beautiful Italian " Torso " 20th century Carrara marble. Measure: H: 47m including base, 30cm without very good condition

A signed 19th century marble miniature bust of a young girl. Part of an extensive collection of smalls we just purchased from a NJ Collector of fifty years.

Pietro Bazzanti - Barzanti (Italian, 1825-1895) "After the Bath" - a very Fine and large carved white Carrara marble figure of a semi-nude young maiden standing by the sea-shore. The smiling and posing young beauty, with bare breasts and back, her right arm juxtaposed over her head, while holding a blanket over her waist with her left hand and standing barefoot by a rocky seawall and wavy shoreline. Signed 'P. Barzanti/Florence' (on reverse) and raised on a cylindrical swiveling carved verde antico solid marble pedestal. circa: Florence, 1880-1890. Pietro Bazzanti or Barzanti (Italian, 1825-1895) was a 19th Century Italian sculptor born in Florence. Together with his brother, Niccolò Bazzanti (Firenze, 1802-1869) who was also a sculptor, they both worked the sprawling Florentine studio 'Pietro Bazzanti e Figlio' a hugely successful sculpture studio, operated within the family at their gallery on Lungarno Corsini until the mid-twentieth century. The studio was a place where many talented professors and apprentice sculptors specialized in sculpting marble...

An exceptionally fine Carrara marble bust of Napoleon Bonaparte on an equally fine marble columnar pedestal,  Circa 1810 in date.   The sculpture depicts a young Napoleon wearing his...

Fine antique (19th century) continental bust of a lovely female in curls and dress adorned with bows at the shoulder. Apparently unsigned.

A very fine and large French 19th century white marble bust of a young beauty, purported to be a young "Marie Antoinette" (Queen of France 1755-1793), by René Rozet...

memento marble, vanitas marble, vanitas bust, ancient Roman, Roman art, classical art, Greek art, bust, white Carrara marble, emperador bust, classical sculpture, ancient sculpture, ...

Masterfully carved Italian Vanitas bust in solid marble from late 19th century. White Carrara marble skull combined with a red Rosso Imperiale marble Ro...

Torso maschile imponente, peso circa kg 800, scolpito su marmo bianco Carrara poggiante su base travertino Romano ispirato al Doriforo che si trova agli uffizi di Firenze. Original m...

An Impressive 19th Century Italian Hand-Carved Carrara Marble Model of The Three Graces, Originally by Antonio Canova. The carving on this piece is exceptionally well done. The faces, hair, hands and draped clothing...

Sculpture, Male torso, classical art, Greek art, Torso, white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, ancient torso, Greek torso, statuary marble sculpture. Male torso carved on statuar...

A pair 19th century (1850s) (Grand Tour) Italian carved multi-marble busts of Augustus of Prima Porta and Julius Cesar. These extremely fine an...

Antonio Tantardini (Italian, 1829-1879) An extraordinary Italian 19th century life size carved Carrara white marble sculpture of "A Young Child and a baby in a wicker crib...

Modern Monique Marble Column, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Monique marble column, carved from exquisite Calacatta Cremo marble, embodies timeless sophisticati...

Psyche of Capua. White marble bust of Venus, after antique. Italy, late 19th century. Inscribed, 'Chiurazzi.' Measures: 21 in. (53.3 cm) height.

Sculpture, Male torso, classical art, Greek art, Torso, white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, torso Riace bronzes Piccolo Torso maschile scolpito su bellissimo marmo bianco di C...

An Italian Early 20th Century Carved Marble and Patinated Bronze Bust of a Greco-Roman Young Male. The brown patinated bronze head with a straight stare and curly hair, fitted in a c...

An Outstanding Pair 19th Century Italian Hand-Carved Carrara Marble Busts of Apollo & Artemis, One Bust is Signed on the Back, "F Vichi". This pair of stunning marble busts, hand-car...

Sculpture, Male torso, classical art, Greek art, Torso, white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, ancient torso, Gaddi torso Sculpted male torso on white marble from carrara, origi...

A refined polychrome marble sculptural bust depicting a young Roman emperor, crafted with meticulous attention to detail and inspired by classical portraiture of antiquity. The head...

Sculpture, Male torso, classical art, Greek art, Torso, white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, ancient torso Male torso carved on beautiful white Carrara marble, original model. ...

Pietro Bazzanti 19th Century Italian Carrara Marble Bust of Roman Woman Dimensions : 31" Tall X 24" Wide X 10" Deep This gorgeous marble bust was made by Pietro Bazzanti (1842-1881...

Scultura, busto imperatore, busto romano antico, arte romana, arte classica, arte greca, busto, marmo bianco Carrara, scultura classica, marco Aurelio, scultura antica, busto antico,...

Grey Marble Socle From our Sculpture collection, we are delighted to offer this exceptional Antique Italian Marble Bust Augustus Caesar. The bust...

Carrara and Breccia marble sculpture, signed L.C. Firenze, Italy, circa 1890. Signed "Scelta dum fiore" in the front.

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...

Nicely carved head with Turquin blue marble socle. Smooth soft patina to the stone. Turquin marble was used in ancient Rome for flooring , bathtubs etc. It was used often in the Fren...

Wonderful early 20th century Italian Carrara marble figure of an exotic dancer by Ferdinando Vichi The young girl wearing a jeweled bikini, her hair flowing around her shoulders i...

A very fine Italian 19th century carved carrara marble sculpture Group Titled "LA GIOIA NELL'INNOCENZA DOPO IL LAVORO" (The Joy of Innocence After Labour) by Professor Raffaele Belliazzi (Italian, 1835-1917). The slender figure of the young boy, seated and resting on a rock with his hanging legs crossed and joyfully eating a cluster of grapes picked from his hat that is resting on his lap. The intricate carving of his shirt, jacket, pants, hat and boots with fine attention details such at the stitching, buttons, the hem on his pants, the wear on the soles of his boots and the features on his face makes this one of Belliazzi's finest known works. The sculpure rests on a dark green serpentine marble pedestal with a rotating top. Signed: Profor. Belliazzi, Carrara. Florence, circa 1870-1880. It may be possible to identify the present marble sculpture of a boy eating grapes...

A very fine and large Italian 19th-20th century Carrara marble group "Allegory to Music" depicting five Bacchic putti musicians playing various instruments. The finely carved Palatia...

Nicely carved bust. With round socle base. A celebrated sculpture from classical antiquity.

A beautifully hand-carved Italian marble bust depicting a smiling young child, executed in softly veined cream-toned marble. The sculpture captures a tender, animated expression, wit...

North Italian, Veneto, circa 1700 Bust of a classical woman, possibly Diana Marble, on a variegated grey marble socle 41.5 cm. high / 16 ¼ ins (the bust), 56 cm. / 22 ins high, overa...

Satyr sculpture, satyr bust, satyr with grapes, marble satyr Satyr's head with grapes carved on beautiful white Carrara marble, Resting on a turned base of white Carrara marble The...

An antique marble bust of a bearded male in classical Roman attire. Larger than life size and carved in pure white Italian statuary Carrara marble. In u...

A striking late 18th-early 19th century bust of the Roman Emperor Titus Domitian. The head is made from hand carved white Carrara marble, the tunic and t...

Nicely carved bust of a Roman patrician. a 19th century copy of an ancient Roman image. Socle base.

Carrara marble sculpture signed "Loreley" by Hippolyte Moreau, France, circa 1890. Art Nouveau period.

High relief representing battle in classical style. carved on white Carrara marble dimensions 46 h x 45 x 10 cm, weight 35.5 kg Skull -""Memento"" sculpted in the smallest anatom...

Superb carved marble bust depicting a young woman with delicate features, characteristic of the Art Nouveau aesthetic. Her gentle expression and wavy hairstyle reveal the sculptor’s...

A fabulously hand carved antique neoclassical style Italian Carrara marble bust of Daphne. This bust is of immaculate quality and craftsmanship. Daphne's hair is beautifully hand car...

Carrara marble sculpture signed Luca Madrassi, Paris, circa 1890. Art Nouveau period.

A large bust of a noble man from the end of the 19th century in carrara marble signed by French sculptor, Joseph Vallet, who born in La Boisiére du Doré on August 6, 1841, and died i...

An antique and reclaimed Italian bust, carved in the 19th century from fine Carrara marble. The sculpture depicts a classical female figure, her features softened yet dignified, fram...

Francesco Stanga Bust Of Child In Marble Of Carrara 1837 signed and dated on the back of the bust. The sculpture depicts a four-year-old and nine-month-old child with a joyful dispos...

Carrara marble bust sculpture signed H. Moreau, France, circa 1890.

A Pair of 19th Century Italian Hand-Carved and Hand-Polished Carrara Marble Models of Children Reading and Writing, Signed A. Piazza, After Antonio Canova. Antonio Canova (1757–1822...

Carrara marble sculpture "Schiava" attributed to Giacomo Ginotti (1845-1897). Italy, late 19th Century.

This is a mid-century Italian carved marble bust of a young woman. The bust is carved in two contrasting marbles. The head appears to be a white Carrara, and the bodice is a veined S...

A very fine Italian Carrera marble sculpture of Flora. A beautiful young girl looking to dexter, she has her hair braided. Flora was the Roman...

A 19th century French bisque sculpture of a stature of boy and girl reading a book. Biscuit porcelain with indistinct signature to base 'LIARD', Shipping included Free and fa...

Sculpture of a Faun's Head Made of Cleopatra yellow marble base in Port st. Laurent marble. Height base included 38 cm, weight 12.5 kg. very good condition.