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Figurative Sculptures For Sale
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Period: 1910s
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

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

French Late 18th Century Neoclassical Grey Marble Angel Head
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique and wonderful hand carved grey marble angel head, France, circa 1780-1800. Beautiful weathered. Measurement includes the wooden base.
Category

Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

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

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

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

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

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

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

17th Century Baroque Figure Of «Madonna and Jesus», Portugal
Located in Lisbon, PT
A late 17th-century figure in polychromed chestnut wood with excellent carving and gilding, dressed in a flowing veil and cashew hair down the shoulders. The cheekbones and nose are ...
Category

Late 17th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

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

Tang Dynasty Fat Courtesan Lady Pottery Figure
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

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

A Nun, perhaps a theatrical figure. England, probably Plymouth, circa 1750
By Plymouth Porcelain Factory 1
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
An interesting soft-paste porcelain figure of a Dominican Nun, perhaps the theatrical figure Heloise. Although the Nun appears in various versions in European and English porcelain,...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Neoclassical Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Sancai-Glazed Pottery Figure Of An Official, Tang Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
The figure stands with arms crossed in front, a pose that is often seen in tomb figurines which were intended to serve the deceased in the afterlife. The long robe and facial feature...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Earthenware

Eastern Indian Brass Figure of Venugopala, 17th-18th Century
Located in Kensington, MD
Standing with his legs crossed, his right foot resting on a naga hood, a gada supporting his right knee, two Nandi bulls on the square base, the god's two l...
Category

18th Century Indian Tribal Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Exceptional Egyptian Sarcophagus Mask
Located in London, GB
Exceptionally Fine Wooden Sarcophagus Mask Third Intermediate Period, 21st Dynasty, circa 1069-945 BC. Acacia wood, rosewood, hippopotamus ivory Masterfully carved from a single piece of fine-grained hardwood, the present mask is characteristic of the most exquisite funerary art made during the 21st Dynasty, and was probably commissioned for a particularly high-ranking individual. The oval face displays a gently smiling mouth with full, outlined lips, furrows at the corners and a bow-shaped philtrum. The straight nose with rounded nostrils, the cheeks full and fleshy and the large, almond shaped eyes with heavy lids and tapering cosmetic lines, set below long, sweeping eyebrows. Social collapse across the Mediterranean in the Late Bronze Age meant that the 21st Dynasty in Egypt was a period of great turmoil. Trade routes were disrupted, governments collapsed, and mass migration occurred. Economic scarcity meant that traditional funerary practices in Egypt were also affected, with a lack of material and financial resources leading to the reuse of preexisting material. As a result, during the 21st Dynasty, 19th and 20th Dynasty coffins changed ownership rapidly and were heavily recycled for new purposes. Tombs were also unmarked allowing them to be shared by many people. These new practices brought forth a shift in the understanding of funerary paraphernalia. No longer important objects owned forever by the deceased, they were now simply seen as short-term transformative devices, whose symbolic and ritualistic meaning could be appropriated for others. However, paradoxically, the art of coffin-making also reached new heights during this period, and many of the richly dec- orated “yellow” coffins, characteristic of the 21st Dynasty, are remarkable works of art in their own right. Indeed, knowing that coffins were being reused throughout Egypt, the Egyptian élite set themself apart by commissioning lavish sarcophagi decorated with the images and texts meant to help guide them to the afterlife, and which would otherwise have adorned the tomb walls. As coffins were the chief funerary element which now identified the dead and allowed them a physical presence in the world of the living, their quality and appearance were of the utmost importance. The traditional coffin ensemble was made of three parts: a wooden mummy cover, which laid directly atop the mummy, an inner coffin, and an outer coffin, both made of a lid and case. Additional decorative elements, such as masks, were carved out separately and later glued or pegged to the lids. After the completion of the painted decoration, the sarcophagus was covered in a varnish to give it its yellow colour. Gilding was sometimes used for the coffins of the high priests’ families, notably on parts representing naked skin, such as the face mask. However, some of the élite tactically avoided gilding altogether as to ensure that their coffin would not be looted. When manufacturing the inner and outer coffins, particular attention was paid to the woodwork. Displaying the skill of the carpenter, this type of funerary art has largely remained unparalleled throughout Egyptian history. The principal wood used to craft the present mask is Acacia nilotica. The evergreen Egyptian acacia was considered sacred and said to be the tree of life, the birthplace of the god Horus, as well as symbolic of Osiris, the god of the dead and resurrection. The modelling of the face in the wood is superb, but the inlays also help mark this mask out as exceptional. Inlaid eyes and eyebrows were extremely rare and reserved to the finest and most expensive coffins. Traditionally, eyes were made of calcite, obsidian, or quartz, and eyebrows of coloured glass paste or bronze. Here, the pupils, eyebrows, and cosmetic lines are inlaid with Dalbergia melanoxylon, a rare type of wood which belongs to the rosewood genus. In antiquity, however, it was known as Ebony of the Pharaohs, from the Egyptian word “hbny”, meaning dark timber, because of its black, lustrous appearance. An extremely dense and hard wood requiring significant skill to work with, ebony was a luxury material highly coveted by the pharaohs themselves, to make furniture, decorative and funerary objects. The wood was imported with great effort from the southern Land of Punt, most likely modern Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Eritrea, alongside other luxury goods such as gold and ivory. A magnificent ebony throne, recovered in the tomb of King Tutankhamun, illustrates the incredible aesthetic potential of this material and why it was so highly valued by Egyptian royalty. Only élite members of Egyptian society could have afford- ed Ebony of the Pharaoh inlays for their funerary mask. The sclerae on the present piece were once both inlaid with hippopotamus ivory. Whiter than elephant ivory, this type of ivory is also denser, and more difficult to carve. The use of this luxury material, reputed for its gleaming appearance, enhances the lifelikeness of the eyes. For the Egyptians, hippopotamus ivory was imbued with magic powers. The hippopotamus was indeed both feared and venerated due to its aggressive behaviour. Whilst the male hippopotamus was associated with danger and chaos, the female was benevolent and invoked for protection, especially of the house and of mothers and their children, through the hippopotamus goddess Tawaret. Thus, not only was hippopotamus ivory used as an inlay and to make practical objects, such as combs and clappers, but it was also used to make talismans like apotropaic wands or knives. Made during a time of scarcity where few could afford made-to-order coffins, the present mask could have only belonged to one of the highest-ranking individuals in society. Undoubtedly one of the finest Egyptian coffin...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Egyptian Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Fruitwood, Hardwood

A deep and well carved panel English oak 16th century
Located in Bakewell, GB
A deep and well carved panel English oak with many figures in deep relief and a good colour Circa 1520 33cms wide x 21cms high
Category

16th Century English Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Oak

Trinity , Polychrome Sculpture , Germany, circa 1550
Located in PARIS, FR
Trinity in carved and polychromed wood, in the round, the back partially hollowed out. It is represented here as a "Throne of Grace". In this original formula, which probably origina...
Category

16th Century Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Excellent walnut carving of a Carlo Boccomico c1600
Located in Bakewell, GB
Excellent walnut carving of a Carlo Boccomico c1600 Visible old dead worm holes, but great condition 72 cms high 30 cms wide
Category

16th Century European Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

Roman Style Marble Head
Located in Southall, GB
A richly weathered marble Roman style head with skilfully carved features and full lips. The piece would have been part of a larger statue or carving. The marble has a lovely warm pa...
Category

15th Century and Earlier European Classical Roman Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Henri GAUQUIE The Sower French Sculpture, ca.1910
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French bronze sculpture by Henri Désiré GAUQUIE (1858-1927), France, ca.1910. The sower. Height : 18.25"(46.4cm), Width : 7.9"(20cm), Depth : 8.1"(20.5cm). A sharp line, an indisputa...
Category

1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

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

Saint John of Calvary, 2nd half of the 15th century
Located in PARIS, FR
Large walnut wood sculpture in the round, depicting Saint John in the position he usually has at the foot of Christ on the Cross. Beautifully expressive face, framed by expertly curl...
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Renaissance Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

JESUS GOOD SHEPHERD Indo-Portuguese Sculpture, 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
JESUS GOOD SHEPHERD Indo-Portuguese Sculpture, 17th Century in iv... partially painted and gilded. The baby Jesus, asleep, is depicted sitting cross-legged. Posterior dobby. Dim.: ...
Category

17th Century Portuguese Renaissance Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Figurative Knob in Bronze 1600 Italian Handle with Bust of Boy
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze Bust Of 1600s, cast depicting a young boy with curly hair and a gathered robe over his neck ending in an oval section with beaded border. This antique bronze knob of Italian ...
Category

17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Italian Antique Dancing Putto on a base
Located in Encinitas, CA
This piece is an 18th century dancing putto marble statue, now available for purchase. The sculpture features a small dancing Angel 'Putto" supported on...
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

A 16th century carved marble sculpture of poseidon
Located in London, GB
This fine and imposing sculpture is an excellent example of 16th century Italian craftsmanship. The figure is stood on a raised, shaped rectangular base with a carved "dolphin" at th...
Category

16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Figurative Knob in Iron 1600 Italian Handle with Bust of Boy
Located in Milan, IT
Iron Bust From 1600 depicting a boy with curly hair, dressed in a tunic that leaves one shoulder uncovered. Made of cast iron, the pommel has a dark patina and is in good condition, ...
Category

17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Iron

18th Century Italian Antique Dancing Putto small on a base.
Located in Encinitas, CA
This piece is an 18th century dancing putto marble statue, now available for purchase. The sculpture features a small dancing Angel 'Putto" supported on...
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

18th Century Polychrome Wood Italian Antique Sculpture Roman Soldier, 1770s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Great Italian sculpture from the second half of the 18th century. Finished wooden work from the center depicting an almost life-size Roman soldier. Statue complete with lacquered and...
Category

1770s Italian Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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

French White Carrara Marble Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
This 1890s French White Carrara Marble Sculpture is a timeless and elegant masterpiece, hand-crafted from the finest marble in France. Its classic design and high-quality material ma...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Carrara Marble

Pair Of Flemish Baroque Carved Oak And Ebony Figural Caryatids
Located in Essex, MA
Likely from a piece of furniture. Featuring a well carved male and female over an ebony panel. Now used as candlesticks.
Category

1670s Dutch Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ebony, Oak

Polychrome carved wood Virgin and Child from the 15th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
POLYCHROME CARVED WOOD VIRGIN AND CHILD FROM THE 15TH CENTURY   ORIGIN: SOUTH GERMANY, SWABIA, NUREMBERG REGION PERIOD: 15th CENTURY   Height: 94,6cm Width : 28 cm Depth : 18 cm   Lime wood Original Polychromy Good state of conservation     From 1430 onwards, sculpture underwent a profound stylistic renewal which continued until 1530, the so-called late Gothic period. In the Germanic countries, original sculptures flourished in an expressive and sensitive vein.
This renewal was inspired by the art of Nicholas of Leiden, who was active in Strasbourg in the 1460's. His style broke with the refined and delicate art of the international Gothic style in force throughout Europe around 1400. The figures became more authentic and realistic. The bodies became denser. Clothes are animated by deep, broken folds, the fabrics are heavy and have a great decorative value. In addition, the polychromy is intended to be illusionistic. The painting makes it possible to restore the texture of the materials, the richness of the textiles and the natural skin tone of the characters.   The dissemination of images through engraving and the great mobility of the artists led to the success of this style, which conquered the Upper Rhine, Swabian, Tyrolean and Franconian regions, contributing to the formation of a common stylistic identity in these regions. The economic boom in the flourishing German cities was conducive to the development of original production. Attracted by this prosperity, numerous workshops were set up in order to meet the orders of religious communities, the Church and the laity, including a clientele of middle-class rockers.      This precious Virgin and Child is depicted standing on a crescent moon, her head encircled by a crown of tall flowers. Her long wavy hair spreads over her shoulders, framing her beautiful oval face. Under fine eyebrows drawn with a brushstroke, her almond-shaped, slightly drooping eyes look at the Child with infinite softness. She is dressed in a long red dress with a rounded neckline, belted under the chest. The heavy fabric of her dress spreads out in broken folds at her feet. On her shoulders she wears a golden cloak. The drapery has deep folds. She holds out her right hand while she holds the Christ Child with her left.   Christ, with his well-defined hair, is naked. His cheeks are highlighted with red, he holds an apple in his left hand and with the other hand makes a sign of blessing towards the faithful.   Virgins with Child on a crescent moon were very popular in the second half of the 15th century, especially as the central subject of altarpieces in southern Germany and Austria. The crescent moon on which Mary is standing is reminiscent of the Woman of the Apocalypse. Often equated with the Virgin Mary.    This episode is taken from the Book of Revelation (12:1-6)   1 Then a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. ; 2 She was pregnant, and she cried out because she was in labor, in pain from giving birth. ; 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: it was a great fiery red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads. ; 4 His tail swept down a third of heaven's stars and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth so that when she gave birth, he might devour her child. ; 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child who is to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was snatched up to God and his throne. ; 6 Then the woman fled into the desert, where God has prepared a place for her. There she will be taken care of for one thousand two hundred sixty days.   Some theologians see in this woman a reference to the Virgin Mary and in the child, Jesus.    
This remarkable work is a very fine example of sculpture from Swabian workshops in the last decades of the 15th century. It presents all the characteristic stylistic elements: a highly girdled silhouette, an abundant drapery with angular folds, but also a great physical presence accentuated by the polychromy that restores the anatomical details. This group is made of a wooden log. The deep folds of the drapery highlight the movement of the Virgin holding the child.       Bibliography :   Sophie Guillot de Suduiraut, Dévotion et Séduction, Sculptures souabes des musées de France, vers 1460-1530, Paris musée du Louvre-Éditions somogy, 2015   “Revelation 12 -   Common English Bible...
Category

15th Century and Earlier German Gothic Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Large Tibetan Carved Wood Phurba 15th-16th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
A large carved wooden purbha sculpture Tibet 15th - 16th Century With the triangular blade issuing from the mouth of a makara, the grip with stylized endless knot, the finial with t...
Category

16th Century Tibetan Tibetan Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Tang Dynasty Museum Quality TL Tested Terracotta Fat Lady Figure
Located in Dallas, TX
Tang Dynasty painted terracotta fat lady tomb figure China. Tang Dynasty Circa 618-907 Modelled in the form of a classically dressed fat lady, this terraco...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Saint Florian
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
SAINT FLORIAN   ORIGIN: SOUTH GERMANY, SWABIA PERIOD: END OF THE 15th CENTURY   Height : 100,5 cm Width : 34 cm Depth : 17 cm 
Polychromed lime wood Good state of conservation   
Sin...
Category

15th Century and Earlier German Gothic Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Virgin and Child in Majesty, also known as "Sedes Sapientae"
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
VIRGIN AND CHILD IN MAJESTY, ALSO KNOWN AS "SEDES SAPIENTIAE"   ORIGIN : SPAIN, CATALOGNE PERIOD: EARLY 13th CENTURY   Height :  95 cm Width : 32 cm Depth : 28 cm   Softwood No polychromy     In the middle of the 12th century, the Virgin took her place in churches, seated in Majesty, serving as a throne for her son Jesus. She is then called Sedes Sapientiae, meaning the Throne of Wisdom. At that time, she is not represented for herself and only exists because she has been designated as Theotokos, the mother of God, at the Council of Ephesus in 431, where the divine nature of Christ was proclaimed from his birth.   The upright and perfectly hieratic bust of this Virgin and Child in Majesty is seated on a throne-bench. She is dressed in a tunic with a rounded neckline and covered with a fine mantle placed on her narrow shoulders. The supple and natural drapery follows the lines of the body.   Large curls frame her face with delicate and regular features, a long straight nose, almond-shaped eyes, and small lips.   She supports the Infant Jesus with her left hand. Like his mother, he is dressed in a long tunic, and his little feet are visible in the folds. He holds a small sphere in his left hand, while with his right hand, he gestures in blessing. The face of Christ bears a strong resemblance to his mother’s one, and he gives a slight smile.   The position of the Child is no longer as hieratic, nor frontal or central as in the early 12th century, but his face still turns towards the faithful.   The 13th century indeed emerges as a period of transition in the artistic domain. The statuary, while retaining certain characteristics still belonging to the habits of the previous century, also develops new formal solutions.   As a result, Mary maintains a hieratic and frontal position, while her son shifts to place himself well to the left on her knee. Similarly, while the Virgin seems perfectly still, Jesus, on the other hand, appears much more animated, especially in the positioning of his hands. His left hand holds the orb, and judging by the raised right arm directed towards the faithful, one can easily imagine that he was making a gesture of blessing.   The influence of the Sedes Sapientiae from previous centuries still seems particularly prevalent in this work.   These few characteristics allow dating this Spanish Virgin...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Spanish Gothic Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Softwood

Basalt Portrait Medallion, Edward Bourne, Wedgwood, circa 1780
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Portrait Medallion of Edward Bourne, bricklayer at the Wedgwood factory. A bricklayer was kept on staff in order to maintain the kilns. This was modelled by Hackwood as an excercise...
Category

Late 18th Century English Neoclassical Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

Saint Woman in polychrome carved wood
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
SAINT WOMAN IN POLYCHROME CARVED WOOD   ORIGIN : ITALY PERIOD : late 13th century   Height : 103 cm Length : 28  cm Width : 16 cm  Remains of polychromy   ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Gothic Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Softwood

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

Italian Baroque Madonna and Child Sculpture, 18th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A 18th Century superb italian sculpture of a draped Madonna with a veil, base with richly carved relief with cherubs and a baby Jesus on her lap in carved polychrome and gilded wood....
Category

18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Madonna of Milk, polychrome stucco relief, Florence, 16th century
Located in Brescia, IT
Our Lady of Milk polychrome stucco relief scope of Benedetto da Maiano Florence, 16th century cm 66 x 18 x 43 From the 15th century onward, the pleasure of modeling terracotta...
Category

16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Gesso, Straw

Art Nouveau Children Group 'Two Girls', by A. Koenig, Meissen Germany, ca 1940
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain figure group: Two barefoot girls in summer clothes, the older one in a green-brown skirt and white long-sleeved shirt with blue stripes, her hair pinned up in two side bunches, the younger child in a red-purple dress sitting on the ground, holding her by the arm and pulling her up. The model is part of a series of beach motifs by Alfred König. Based on a white round base with a relief structure on the side and a gold rim. Very lifelike and loving representation of the characters and the details Designer: ALFRED KÖNIG (1871 - 1940) studied at the art academy in Dresden, since 1897 he worked in the Meissen manufactory as a designer and modeler. The artist specialized in the design of human figures in various variations, such as genre figures, children, athletes, soldiers etc. Model B 290...
Category

1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Italian 17th Century Baroque Period Giltwood And Patinated Wood Putti Statue
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and extremely decorative Italian 17th century Baroque period Giltwood and patinated wood Putti statue. The statue is raised by a Giltwood plinth with a Coeur-de-Rai carved...
Category

17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Male Head, Carved Stone, Spain, 16th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Male head. Carved stone. Century XVI. Carved stone relief showing a male face turned to the right. It is necessary to highlight both the quality of the fac...
Category

16th Century Spanish Renaissance Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Two Louis XV Period Rococo Style Marble Sculptures of Cherubs
Located in London, GB
Two Louis XV Period Rococo style marble sculptures of cherubs, French, 18th century Dimensions: Height 90cm, width 60cm, depth 60cm Superbly carved from subtly veined white-grey marble, this pair of...
Category

18th Century French Rococo Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Pair of French 18th Century Bronze Statues of Satyrs, Signed Clodion
Located in New Orleans, LA
This magnificent matched pair of bronze figures was created by the well known bronzier Clodion in the late 18th century. The pair is a fantastic reflection of Clodion’s skill and cel...
Category

18th Century French Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Gold Plate, Bronze

A PAIR OF FINELY CARVED BOX WOOD Figures Of Beggars
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A pair of 18th century German figures of one legged beggars after the engravings of Rembrandt in box wood. Circa 1780
Category

Late 18th Century German Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Boxwood

Early Italian Carved Figure Of A Seated King
Located in Essex, MA
Figure seated on rock work wearing a crown.
Category

17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

After Francisco Ruiz Gijon, St. Francis, Spanish Baroque Wood Sculpture, 17th C.
Located in New York, NY
Baroque After Francisco Ruiz Gijon Saint Francis of Assisi Polychrome and Parcel Gilt Carved Wood, Insert Glass Eyes Spain, Late 17th Century Francisc...
Category

17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Wood

Art Nouveau Figure Group 'Ice-Scaters', by Alfred Koenig, Meissen Germany, 1910
Located in Vienna, AT
Delicate and rare Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain group: Skating couple in elegant winter clothing: The lady in a long, white skirt with a green decorated hem, green jacket and white cap, and long ermine scarf, the gallant in a fine, sporty, brown checkered suit...
Category

1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Guanyin Buddha
Located in Munich, DE
Rare vintage Buddha, the Bodhisattva of compassion and mercy.
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Roman Column, 1st Century A.D, Spain
Located in Girona, Spain
Roman column. Made with marble. 1st Century A.D, Spain Very decorative. Good Condition. With certificate of authenticity. Provenance: Caldes de Mont Bui N...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Spanish Classical Roman Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Antique 18th c. Italian Armor Mannequin c.1700s
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original 18th century Italian armorer's model with glass eyes and articulating arms. Used to fit different types of battle armor. Shows signs of light wear and paint loss...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Paint

Red Hematoid Quartz Heart with an 18th Century Italian Cross on a Baroque Pearls
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Sculptural 'Sacred Heart' - 18th century Italian cross mounted on a polished red hematoid quartz heart and adorned with natural-forming baroque pearls and a cross-shaped baroque pear...
Category

18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Quartz, Gold Leaf

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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