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Figurative Sculptures For Sale
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Period: 1890s
Beautiful Pair of Grand-Tour Style Polished Onyx Obelisks
Located in San Francisco, CA
Beautiful Pair of Grand-Tour Style Polished Onyx Obelisks 5x5x19h
Category

18th Century Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Onyx

19th Cenury Burmese Seated Mandalay Buddha in gilded Wood and Lacquer, ca. 1890
Located in Berlin, DE
Crafted around 1890, the 19th-century Burmese Seated Mandalay Buddha stands as an exquisite embodiment of spiritual devotion and artistic finesse. Carved from gilded wood and adorned...
Category

1890s Burmese Tribal Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Giltwood, Lacquer

Italian 18th Century Baroque Hand Carved Marble Angel Head Panel
Located in Buisson, FR
Exceptional hand carved baroque marble panel depicting a winged angel head , Italy, circa 1700-1750. Beautiful weathered.
Category

18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

16th century polychrome wood sculpture
Located in Firenze, IT
Important 16th-century polychrome and gilded wood carving depicting Saint, Italy. The work features exceptional gilding on the dress and hair. Extremely important is the size of th...
Category

16th Century Italian Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Pair of 18th Century Carved Wooden Winged Cherubs from Italy
Located in Dallas, TX
Originally from 18th-century Italy, this pair of winged cherubs were hand-carved from wood as reflections of each other, meaning that their bodies are orientated as mirror images. Bo...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Paint

Ancient Egyptian Monumental Temple Sphinxes
Located in London, GB
A pair of monumental limestone sphinxes of Pharaoh Nectanebo I, from the processional avenue of the Serapeum of Memphis, 30th Dynasty, circa 379 - 360 BC. The sphinxes of the Serapeum have captivated travellers since Roman times. However, despite their significance, they are conspicuously absent from the collections of most major museums. Indeed, their existence in private hands is so improbable, and their imitations so numerous, that the present sphinxes were assumed to be modern copies throughout their recent ownership history. Finally recognised and conserved after an extraordinary chance discovery at a garden furniture sale...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Egyptian Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Savage or folk story figure in bronze.
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
A savage or folk-art figure in bronze on a (recent) bluestone base. The figure with his long pointed beard is wearing a cape with hood. In front is a cross. In his hands he holds a ...
Category

Late 18th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Bronze

Indo-Portuguese sculpture "Lady Conception" 17th century, H 147cm
Located in Madrid, ES
Indo-Portuguese sculpture "Lady Conception" 17th century, H 147cm. Our Lady Conception Indo-Portuguese teak wood carving from the 17th century. Upholstered and polychrome . T he ...
Category

17th Century Portuguese Renaissance Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Wooden baroque sculpture of a saint made around 1630
Located in Aachen, DE
Vollplastisch geschnitzte Heiligenfigur des frühen 17. Jahrhunderts, polychrome originale Farbfassung. Höhe 83cm, Farbe bereichsweise stark blättrig bzw. fehlend. Ausdrucksstarker G...
Category

Early 17th Century German Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Pair of French 18th Century Bronze Soldiers Signed ' H. Dumaige'
Located in New Orleans, LA
Fine 18th Century bronze figures of a military drummer and a soldier loading his musket. Both bronzes are placed on a square shallow plinth base with titled ...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Oak carving of Bacchus, god of wine Circa 1700
Located in Bakewell, GB
Oak carving of Bacchus, god of wine Circa 1700, excellent condition colour and patination size 110 cms high 50 cms wide 22 cms deep
Category

17th Century English Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Oak

Bronzefigur Ritter um 1900
Located in Aachen, DE
Sehr detailreich gearbeitete, polychrom patinierte Historismus-Bronzefigur eines Ritters um 1900. Nicht signiert.
Category

1890s German Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

A Grand Tour marble torso of an athlete, after the antique.
Located in London, GB
A beautiful Grand Tour statuary marble torso of an athlete, after the antique. Probably Rome, 19th century. Raised on a later Nero Marquina ...
Category

1890s Italian Grand Tour Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Christ enthroned
Located in Brescia, IT
Christ enthroned South America, 17th century cm 64x22x18,5 Polychrome wooden sculpture representing Christ, wrapped in a red cloak edged with gold, who, crowned and seated on a th...
Category

17th Century Brazilian Other Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Coppia di putti stanti in una palma, legno dorato
Located in Salò, IT
Coppia di putti stanti in una palma, legno dorato, epoca Luigi XIV, fine XVII secolo, altezza 33.5 cm, larghezza massima 18 cm, base 10x5 cm. Le due sculture erano, probabilmente, la...
Category

Late 17th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Christ Crucified in boxwood and golden loincloth
Located in Salò, IT
Christ Crucified in boxwood and gilded loincloth, 16th-century German sculptor, height from head to foot 31 cm, width between hands 30 cm. Christ also has golden highlights on the pr...
Category

16th Century German Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Boxwood

Pair of winged angels in lacquered wood
Located in Salò, IT
Pair of "faux marble" lacquered wooden winged angels, seated, from the 18th century, resting on two turned lacquered wooden bases of recent manufacture, total height 102 cm, base dia...
Category

18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Large Virgin and Child, Tyrol, 16th century
Located in PARIS, FR
Large wooden Madonna and Child, painted and carved in hollow at the back. The theme of the Virgin and Child is the most represented in all Christian art, whereas the infancy of Jesus...
Category

16th Century German Renaissance Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Pine

Aztec Water Dog/ Ahuitzotl, W Raised Paw, Pre-1970 UNESCO-Compliant Provenance
By Aztec Services
Located in Culver City, CA
An Aztec Stone Sculpture of a dog-like creature, seated with one raised paw, having large round ears, deep set eyes, mouth with exposed upper fangs, and an unusual curved tail with c...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Mexican Pre-Columbian Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Dutch 17/18th Century Baroque Carved Wooden Coat of Arms
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and very rare hand carved wooden coat of arms with a crowned lion standing on the water reaching to a star. The Netherlands, circa 1650- 1750. Weathered, small losses and...
Category

17th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Oak

18th C. Baroque/Rococo English Goat-Riding Tailor Porcelain by Chelsea Pottery
Located in North Miami, FL
18th century Baroque/Rococo english glazed painted porcelain of a goat-riding tailor by Chelsea Pottery By: Chelsea Pottery, Meissen Porcelain (in the style of) Material: porcelain,...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Enamel

18th Century Spanish Colonial Carved Figure of a Bishop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage, 18th Century Spanish Colonial Carved Polychromed and Parcel-Gilt, Painted Sculpture of a Bishop with Mitred Head
Category

18th Century Spanish Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Gold

Handcarved baroque wooden sculpture depicting Bacchus and Amor, 18th century
Located in DEVENTER, NL
Handcarved baroque wooden sculpture depicting the two accomplises Bacchus and Amor. Bacchus is wearing a grapevine in his hair and holds up a bunch of grapes. A jaguar skin...
Category

18th Century German Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Coppia di angioletti in legno di tiglio
Located in Salò, IT
Coppia di angioletti in legno di tiglio, sculture francesi del XVIII secolo, altezza di ognuno 17.5 cm e 16 cm, altezza complessive di basi lignee 36 cm e 31 cm, basi 9x9 cm. Si noti...
Category

18th Century French Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

18th Century Continental Rococo Giltwood an Angel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage, 18th century Continental Rococo Carved Giltwood Figure of a Kneeling an Angel
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Flemish Baroque Carved Oak Figure Of A Scholar
Located in Essex, MA
Large figure standing with a book under his arm with hand extended.
Category

1660s French Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Oak

Sculptural 18th Century Italian Angel Wing with Aragonite and Faden Crystals
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Sculptural 18th century Italian hand-carved angel wing mounted on white aragonite and adorned with faden crystals, crystal quartz, and baroque pearls. The hand-carved angel wing was ...
Category

18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Rock Crystal, Quartz

Red Hematoid Quartz Heart with an 18th Century Italian Angel and a Baroque Pearl
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Sculptural 'Sacred Heart' - 18th century Italian gilded angel mounted on a polished red hematoid quartz heart and adorned with a natural-forming baroque pearl.The piece is inspired by "The Sacred Heart" in Catholic art history which symbolizes God's unconditional love for mankind. Hematoid Quartz is a quartz crystal that contains Hematite inclusions. It is polished and sculpted into a heart and adorned with the Italian gilt putto and baroque pearl. The piece is put together by Jean O'Reilly Barlow, the artist and creative director of Interi. The date of manufacture reflects when she created the piece and the period shows that the Italian putto...
Category

18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Quartz, Gold Leaf

18th Century Hand-Carved Jichi Wood Guanyin Figure
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful sculpture realized in China in the 18th century depicts Guanyin, a Bodhisattva associated with compassion. The female form holds a pot in her hands. She appears draped...
Category

18th Century Chinese Qing Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Hardwood

Two Putti, c. 1640-1650. Giovanni Pietro and Carlo Carra (workshop of)
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of Carrara marble Putti, depicted in a mirror-image position to each other: softly reclining, the torso advanced and slightly off to the side, one arm resting on the thigh, whil...
Category

Mid-17th Century Italian Other Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Carrara Marble

Pair of 18th Century Italian Angel Wings on Iridescent Titanium Quartz Crystals
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Pair of 18th century Italian hand-carved and painted angel wings on titanium plated quartz crystal clusters with natural-forming baroque pearls. The hand-carved multi-colored angel wings are originally from a historical church in Venice, Italy. These are particularly rare and exquisite due to their unique coloring. The ecclesiastical artifacts are mounted onto a base of titanium plated quartz and adorned with coordinating baroque pearls. The minerals display...
Category

18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Quartz, Rock Crystal

Dolenti (The Virgin and St. John the Evangelist). Piedmontese carver. 1470s
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of sculptures depicting the Virgin and St. John the Evangelist, portrayed in a mournful attitude. The former has a pained expression on her face, her hands clasped in front of h...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Other Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

17th Century Trapani Alabaster Sculpture of Saint Joseph
Located in Madrid, ES
Product Description: Material: Alabaster Subject: Saint Joseph with the Child Origin: Trapani, Italy Era: 17th Century Technique: Finely carved and polychromed Condition: Excellent,...
Category

1660s Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Alabaster

Cercle of Jacopo della Pila - Marble relief depicting a winged Cherub
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Cercle of Jacopo della Pila (Lombard, in Naples 1471-1502) Marble relief depicting a winged Cherub Naples, second half of15th century 40 x 57 x 12 cm Exquisitely carved, this relief portrays a winged cherub with cascading hair and delicate features. The cherub's plump, smooth countenance, rounded cheeks, outlined lips, and finely drawn nose emanate a sense of tenderness. The quadrangular module, is adorned with a carved frame. The relief ascends gradually, transitioning from the low relief of the wings to the high relief of the head. The rectangular frame and the subtly curved form of the artwork suggest that the relief likely adorned the upper part of an arch or a vaulted chapel. The type is that of the perspective room with a coffered ceiling decorated with figures of winged cherubs, which is found in various Neapolitan chapels of the 15th century. Coffered ceilings attest to the recovery of antiquity and the search for luxury in Renaissance architecture, first in Florence, then in Rome and Naples. The majority of the numerous family chapels and tombs built during the late fifteenth century in south of Italy employ the new formal vocabulary of the Florentine Renaissance in a self-confident manner that permitted a broad spectrum of variations. The escalating admiration for the classical world, coupled with the development of perspective, significantly contributed to the Renaissance endorsement of coffered ceilings. This artistic and constructive device drew inspiration from the intricate marble patterns observed in historical landmarks such as the Arch of Titus, the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, the Pantheon, and the Basilica of Maxentius. A distilled product of both mathematical and artistic cultures, deeply scrutinizing the ancient world, the coffered ceiling plays a vital role in the perspective construction of space with its regular and directional geometry. The motif of the coffered ceiling decorated with cherubs in relief was introduced in Naples by Francesco Laurana in the plastic decoration of the Arch of Castelnuovo. Laurana's impact on the art scene in the south of Italy was profound. The introduction of the winged cherub into the region's artistic vocabulary bridged the gap between the classical and the contemporary, creating a synthesis that resonated with both aesthetic and spiritual sensibilities. His influence extended beyond the immediate visual appeal, shaping the cultural identity of the Renaissance in southern Italy. Although the plastic decoration of the Arch of Castelnuovo cannot certainly be ascribed to a mature Renaissance style, it was precisely on this occasion that the sculptors who worked there could get to know and export throughout the Italian peninsula that type of "Florentine classicism" which, even in the 15th century Naples, was conditioned by the Burgundian culture imported into the Kingdom by Alfonso of Aragon himself, with artists called from Spain and Northern Europe. The coffered ceiling, with its geometric patterns and Laurana's winged cherubs nestled within, became a symbol of refinement and cultural sophistication. The relief sculptures, carefully integrated into the overall design, transformed the ceiling into a celestial realm, inviting viewers to contemplate the divine while immersed in the grandeur of the Renaissance space. Similar winged cherubs appears also in the Naples cathedral. Within the renowned Succorpo Chapel, a mesmerizing marble coffered ceiling adorned with cherubs epitomizes the splendor of the Neapolitan Renaissance. The interplay of light and shadow on the textured surface of the marble coffered ceiling introduces an ethereal dimension, providing an immersive visual experience for observers. The geometric precision and the repeated patterns, reminiscent of classical motifs, establish a sense of harmony and balance that has become the hallmark of the Neapolitan interpretation of Florentine Renaissance aesthetics. Although probably intended to be admired from a distance, this cherub is intricately detailed and exquisitely rendered: the face and hair are elegantly outlined and the feathers are textured through juxtaposed lines. The marble, both figurative and decorative, adheres to the principles of balance and restrained ornamentation typical of the « Florentine Classicism ». Harmonious shapes and gracefully orchestrated curves , rooted in the classical repertoire, converge to evoke a sense of ethereal beauty. The surface displays the masterful use of a chisel to intricately carve the feathers and facial features, creating an almost abstract quality. This work is a testament to a sculptor of great skill and rich figurative knowledge, seamlessly blending classical firmness in contours with a refined treatment of the marble's surface. The combination of tradition and innovation point to a stylistic idiom from Lombardy, in particular we can find some comparaisons with the works of Jacopo della Pila, sculptor of Lombard origin working in Naples in the second half of the 15th century. He is documented there between 1471 and 1502, and is a protagonist of the Aragon Renaissance in the second half of the Quattrocento, together with the other great Northern sculptor active in the kingdom, Domenico Gagini. the first commission he received dates back to August 9, 1471, when Jacopo publicly committed to sculpting the funerary monument of Archbishop Nicola Piscicelli to be placed in the Cathedral of Salerno. The last known work is an altar ordered on July 29, 1502, by the noble Jacopo Rocco for the church of San Lorenzo Maggiore in Naples. Between these two chronological extremes (1471-1502), we must place the fervent activity of the artist, who had trained in Rome, perhaps under the guidance of Paolo Romano but also engaged in dialogue with other major artists of the city, especially Isaia da Pisa. He enriched his experience in Naples, initially drawing inspiration from the works of Domenico Gagini and later from the Tuscan masterpieces of Antonio Rossellino and Benedetto da Maiano destined for the church of Santa Maria di Monteoliveto. Jacopo della Pila's artistic personality is thus based on a complex interplay of influences, contributing to the definition of a highly personal style. Close comparaison can be made between our cherub and the winged angels reliefs...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Renaissance Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

The flagellation - Brabant, circa 1560
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Altarpiece group representing the flagellation Brabant, circa 1560-1580 Carved wood, polychrome, and gilded 50 x 38 x 7 cm At the center of the group, Christ stands upright, leaning...
Category

16th Century Belgian Renaissance Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

18th-19th Century Italian Wood Carved Angel
Located in San Francisco, CA
A lovely angel, his right hand extended as if to touch something or hold something. He appears very calm and peaceful, clothed in a partial shroud which is draped over his shoulder...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique 18-19th Century Bronze Naga Meditating Buddha Statue
Located in Kastrup, DK
Bronze Buddha depicted in meditation pose sheltered by a Naga (a seven-headed snake). I two parts. Naga's body coiled up to serve as a cushion for the Buddha with 7 pronged head prov...
Category

Mid-18th Century Burmese Other Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Export Porcelain Figures of Attendants, Set of Five
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Figures of Attendants, Set of Five, Circa 1780 The set of five Chinese Export porcelain figures are painted in famille rose enamels with a purple robe and s...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Ecce Homo. Sculptor active in Lombardy, mid-16th century
Located in Milano, IT
Wooden sculpture depicting Ecce Homo. Christ, whose figure is cut off at thigh level, is standing, arms crossed at waist level. Long ringlets frame a face with a pointed beard, a hal...
Category

16th Century Italian Other Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Large 18th Century, Italian Carved Wooden Wing of a Baroque Angel
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful large Baroque angel-wing with its original color and gilding. Extremely rare to find in this size. Very decorative item placed on a wooden base. Italy, circa 1750. Weathere...
Category

18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Rare Japanese antique wooden god statue /12th century/small wabi-sabi figurines
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
I was able to obtain a very rare item. This is a sculpture of the god ``Shinzo''. "Shin" = God "zo" = statue Since ancient times in Japan, it has been believed that gods reside in all things in the universe, and there have been many shrines. In the 6th century, Buddhism was introduced and gradually spread throughout Japan. Around the 8th century, the idea that gods follow the teachings of Buddha spread. Until the Edo period, God and Buddha became one and the idea of ``Shinto and Buddhism syncretism'' was established. This statue was created during such a history. Originally, the image of God was invisible and could not be understood as something tangible. However, with the introduction of Buddhism to Japan, idol worship was also introduced, and the idea that the gods follow the teachings of Buddha was also propagated at the same time in order to spread the teachings of Buddhism. Around that time, around the 9th century, the first statues of gods...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Japanese Other Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Cypress

Pair of 18th Century Painted Wood Italian Antique Cherubs Sculptures, 1740s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Pair of 18th century Italian sculptures. Wooden works of great size and impact, pleasantly carved, depicting cherubs. Sculptures painte...
Category

1740s Italian Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

18th Century Italian Angel Wing on a Calcite Cluster with Citrine Points
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Sculptural 18th century Italian hand-carved angel wing mounted on a calcite crystal cluster and adorned with citrine points. The hand-carved angel wing was once part of a heavenly, a...
Category

18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Quartz, Rock Crystal, Gold Leaf

18th Century Austrian Baroque Carved Figure of a Beggar Musician
Located in Stamford, CT
Carved bone and walnut figure of a beggar with a very expressive face holding a flute, with a satchel over his shoulder carved from wood with a leather strap. With inset glass eyes. ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Austrian Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bone, Walnut

Venus With Dolphin 1600 Italian Bronze Sculpture On Gray Marble Base
Located in Milan, IT
Venus With Dolphin In Bronze 1600, small 17th-century Italian sculpture ending in a ferrule at the bottom. He holds a sphere in his right hand and with his left hand holds the dolphi...
Category

17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Pair of cereriferous angels, Flanders, 17th c.
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful pair of ceraferous angels sculpted in the round in a very lively position (the movement in the hair is remarkable), almost Baroque. Very fine execution of the plastron armo...
Category

17th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Oak

Very large pair of armchairs, Italy, Tuscany, 17th c.
Located in PARIS, FR
Exceptional pair of armchairs, in carved wood, decorated with acanthus leaves and volutes, the armrests ending in lions' heads, the footrests in dolphins' heads. Traces of "a mecca" ...
Category

Early 17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Giltwood

18th Century Italian Gilt Angel Wing on a Hematoid Slab with Citrine and Quartz
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Sculptural 18th century Italian hand-carved brown and gilt angel wing adorned with citrine and quartz crystals and mounted on a polished hematoid slab. The hand-carved angel wing was...
Category

18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Quartz, Rock Crystal, Gold Leaf

18th Century Antique Bronze Statue of Athena
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An Italian 18th century antique bronze statue of Athena ex. private collection. Over 240 years old, this striking bronze depiction of Athena is ...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Bronze

renaissance wooden candelabrum and painted cross - Umbria, 16th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Base of a carved wooden candelabrum, polychrome and gilded; cross painted on both sides. Umbria or Tuscany, 16th century 136 x 43,5 x 30 cm (The cross and the base of the candelabrum were later assembled) The base of the candelabrum is intricately carved and adorned with polychrome and gilded finishes. The shafts take on the shape of balusters reminiscent of ancient columns, feature ornate foliage decorations, garlands and winged cherub faces. The feet are crafted in the likeness of lion paws. The base is further embellished with depictions of four saint martyrs, among them Saint Barbara and Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The plasticity of the figures, outlined with strong contour lines, the clear and vibrant colors, are stylistic elements linked to the Umbrian tradition of the sixteenth century.The precisely defined and elegant drawing, along with the clear color palette applied with refined chiaroscuro modulations, became the signature of a style that would leave a lasting mark on the era to come. This is exemplified by a preference for vibrant, multicolored images, accentuated in this case by the use of red and pink in the saint's attire. A notable addition, introduced later, is a polylobed cross painted on both sides. On one side, the Crucifixion is vividly portrayed:The treatment of the corpus itself is in line with High Medieval practice, emphasizing pathos by showing Jesus dead, his arms sagging from the weight of the body. The upper section displaying a pelican pecks at her breast to feed her young with her own blood; a symbol of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross whose body and blood similarly nourishes the celebrant during Mass. The lower part depicts Golgotha. On the reverse side, the Resurrection is artistically presented in a Renaissance iconography, reminiscent of the renowned composition painted by Piero della Francesca, now housed in the Civic Museum of Sansepolcro. In terms of composition, with the frontal depiction of Christ holding the banner, this motif became particularly widespread in central Italy, spanning from Tuscany to Umbria throughout the 16th century.. The double-sided construction suggests that it may also have been carried in liturgical processions. In Umbria from the 14th century, the use of portable crosses painted on both sides had become a widespread practice, aimed at satisfying the monastic clientele that had significantly increased following the establishment of new religious communities. The earliest surviving Tuscan painted crucifix represent Christ as Christus Triumphans, or the “Triumphant Christ” with his head up and eyes open. This form was supplanted in the 13th century with the Christus Patiens, or “Suffering Christ” type who is shown often with his head fallen on his shoulder and his eyes closed, as In our cross. The iconography of the suffering Christ appears to have developed out of a new interest in Christ’s human nature, the development of the feast of Corpus Christi and with increased importance given to the Eucharist. The process of humanizing the figure of Christ reaches its peak with the abandonment of all the previous expressive conventions in favor of more realistic details we can observe in this Crucifix, such as the swollen belly, the arms stretched to the limit of muscle tearing, the body falling heavily forward, the abundant blood on the wounds, and the cross firmly embedded in the rock of Calvary. It's worth noting that Renaissance candelabra...
Category

16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Sculptural 18th Century Italian Angel Wing on Aragonite with Tangerine Quartz
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Sculptural 18th century Italian hand-carved angel wing mounted on aragonite and adorned with tangerine quartz crystals and a baroque pearl. The hand-carved angel wing was once part...
Category

18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Quartz, Rock Crystal

Group of Altarpiece - Antwerpen, 16th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Group of altarpiece representing the life of a Saint, Saint Renualde? Engraved by the sign of Antwerp hand on the hat of the central character Carved oak, traces of polychromy Fir...
Category

16th Century Belgian Renaissance Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Oak

Pair late 19th Century Meissen porcelain Parrots.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A striking, fine quality pair of late 19th Century Meissen porcelain Parrots pirched on tree trunks, each having wonderful bold colouring and detail. Batch 76 62436 DHKZ
Category

1890s German Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Tang Dynasty Fat Courtesan Lady
Located in Dallas, TX
Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Figure of a Fat Lady or Female Courtesan. Period (618 - 907AD) Estate / Collection: The Collection of Jay I. Kislak sold to benefit the Kislak Family Fo...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

'Etoile de Mer' An Art Nouveau bronze sculpture by Èdouard Drouot (1859-1945
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A late 19th century Art Nouveau bronze sculpture by Èdouard Drouot (1859-1945). A partially nude woman holding a star fish in her outstretched arm, riding the crest of a wave with gu...
Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Bow English Porcelain Putto Figure With Flowers
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A scarce antique English porcelain figure of a Putto holding a basket of flowers by the renowned Staffordshire factory Bow and dating from aro...
Category

1760s English Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Sculptural 18th Century Multi-color Italian Angel Wing on Chalcopyrite & Kyanite
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Sculptural 18th century Italian hand-carved angel wing mounted on a chalcopyrite and adorned with kyanite. The hand-carved angel wing was once part of a heavenly, angelic depiction i...
Category

18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Quartz, Rock Crystal

Italian Limestone Venus Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
This Italian Limestone Venus Sculpture is a stunning depiction of the goddess of love, carved with incredible detail and from authentic 18th century limestone sourced from Italy. The...
Category

Mid-18th Century Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Antique, New and Vintage Figurative Sculptures

Figurative sculpture is a modern art form in which artists create work that is typically representative of the visible world. However, sculptures that are considered to be figurative in style can definitely be inclusive of abstract elements. A wide range of antique, new and vintage figurative sculptures has been made over the years by both well-known and emerging artists, and these pieces can prove striking and provocative as part of your home decor.

Realistic representation in visual art has a very long history. And while figurative artists, whether figurative painters or sculptors, find inspiration in humans, animals and real-life objects, good figurative sculptures can make us think differently about how the real world should look. Just as figurative paintings might include Photorealistic human likenesses, they can also include elements of Surrealism and can suggest a creative and alternative reality. Figurative sculptures aren’t always realistic impressions of our world — depictions of the human form in classical Greek sculpture, for example, might emphasize beauty and physical perfection.

There are a variety of figurative sculptures on 1stDibs created by artists working in a number of styles, including Art Deco, Art Nouveau, mid-century modern and more. A large figurative sculpture can introduce an excellent focal point in a guest bedroom, while smaller works might draw the eye to spaces such as wall shelving or a bookcase that people may otherwise overlook.

When decorating your living room, dining room, home office and study areas with figurative sculptures, don’t be afraid to choose bold colors to inject brightness into neutral spaces. Texture is another factor to consider when purchasing figurative sculptures. A highly textural work of ceramics or wood will catch the eye in a sleek modern space, whereas a smooth, flat glass sculpture can offer an often much-needed contrast in a room that already has many textures.

On 1stDibs, find antique, new or vintage figurative sculpture or other kinds of sculpture for your home decor today.

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