Mid-18th Century 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...

Solid wooden bust of an Olympic champion by (professor) Otto Poertzel (1876 - 1963). This stunning bust of a young male athlete is of museum quality and condition. Both the geometrical design of the wooden base and the fresh and energetic look and feel of this young male Olympian breath the spirit of the roaring twenties. You will hardly ever come accros a better proportioned, a more realistic or more 'soulful' bust than this wonderfully patinated athlete. It takes an incredibly skilled artisan to be able to create a piece of this quality, because it simoultaniously breathes both energy and serenity. For the mouth, nose, eyes and ears to also be of such perfection makes this antique an...

18th century Italian hand carved and painted wood Madonna statue depicts the virgin Mary in contemplative prayer, and poised in triumph over evil. Orig...

This antique cherub figure was crafted in Italy, circa 1780. The hand-painted putti carving features its original polychrome and gold leaf finish for a luxurious result. The hand carved cherub is expressive in it's movement and features a wonderful facial expression. The colorful wall hanging...

Large statue of saint hand carved in wood during the late 17th century, or early 18th century. Some restoration. Sculpture portrays a saint and originall...

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...

Very nice handcarved giltwood neoclassical angel, Italy, circa 1780-1820. Weathered, small losses Measurements include the wooden base.

Plaster faux marble bust of Antonia, made by D. Brucciani & Co. London, late 19th century. A woman emerging from a calyx of leaf came to represent the nymph Clytie. A copy of the mar...

18th-19th C. Italian rock crystal ball/orb on a later Italian giltwood stand, in two parts The rock crystal ball/ orb European possibly French o...

Large and high quality carved antique sculpture of Joseph holding the child Jesus. If you are looking for a great value for money, work of religious art then this quality carved church relic could be gracing your home or monastery or house of prayer soon. This may not have been carved out of the most expensive or hard woodtype, but that is not what this antique is about. This striking and meaningful sculpture is all about the natural manner in which both the little boy Jesus and Saint Joseph have been hand-carved out of wood and how an accomplished sculptor clearly has spent a whole lot of time, focus and dedication to get the details of this large and meaningful sculpture very right. In this case, the hands and feet, the curly hair, the serene facial expressions, the perfectly natural body postures AND the perfect draping of the cloths are the most eye-catching details. Ones that most mortals would never be able to create like this and it will have taken this skilled artisan weeks rather than days to create. We believe that this unique antique is made of basswood or pine and it has been hand patinated (original). This was probably done to make the entire sculpure look more warm and calm (no wood grains taking away anything from the beautiful details we described). This meaningful and quality crafted work of religious art is ready for you to enjoy and, to us, it breathes a holy serenity and beauty that will never fail to impress. No matter where you decide to have it on display, this ecclesiastical antique will never fail to impress and if you already have a place in mind for 'them' then maybe you should be their next custodian. Mind you, our price for this hand carved antique church statue...

Classic 19th century German cherub angel head door knocker, made of heavy metal (maybe cast iron). Nice addition to your front door. Found at an estate ...

Exceptional Meissen porcelain group of the 19th century: Young mother in elaborate Rococo house dress: Ruched wide long skirt, bodice, fitted frilled coat with hood, the upswept hair covered by a high voluminous bonnet with ruched hem and bows, sitting on a splendid Louis XVI style bench and placing her right foot on a stool, beside her the happy spouse in frock coat, waistcoat over frilled shirt and knee breeches with white stockings, both embracing each other at the back and looking down at the baby wrapped in cloth and lying half naked on a cushion on both their laps, the father guiding his right hand to the mother's chin in an affectionate gesture. Behind them a little boy in a playsuit and hat, holding a bowl and blowing soap bubbles with a tube. The group is based on an oval natural base with sculpted flowers and foliage and gold heightened lateral frieze decoration. Particularly elaborate, detailed design and staffage. Designed by MICHAEL VICTOR ACIER (1736 - 1799) Skilled as a sculptor in Paris, he received a call to the porcelain manufactory in Meissen in 1764, and was there, after Kändler's death in 1775, solely responsible for the artistic interests of the manufactory. He created a large number of groups in the Watteau style...